JOB SUMMARY

Do you want to be part of a team protecting Great Britain from exotic and notifiable diseases? Are you interested in research on these diseases, particularly animal research, and want to have a say on the ethical approval of such studies, taking into account the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, refinement)? Do you want to interact with different departments and disciplines to promote animal science within APHA? If so, why not join us and make a difference to control and eradicate disease in animals with animal welfare at heart.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 3,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.
APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions.
We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.
The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.
As chair of APHA’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) you ensure that the ethical review process is followed as outlined under the Animal (Scientific) Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), approve animal studies that fall under the Act and function as deputy for the Establishment Licence holder. As Named Information Officer you will contribute to the development of new procedural techniques or skills in unfamiliar species and play an active role in implementing animal welfare and the 3Rs. As Discipline Lead you are responsible for building capability, expertise, and networks in animal science to support APHA’s science strategy. You are also responsible for developing a strategic plan for the discipline including recommendations on succession, resource allocation and facility issues.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The postholder will be required to have excellent communication skills to act as chair and discipline lead, liaising with a diverse range of people, using all modern communication tools, in writing and verbally. They will use electronic communication tools, including online diaries, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint and Word. They will liaise frequently with others, both internally and external to APHA, and contribute to building a strong team.
This is a senior Animal Sciences post within the Pathology & Animal Sciences Department at APHA to support Animal Sciences research at APHA.

QUALIFICATIONS

Animal Science, Bioscience or Veterinary degree

DUE TO ACCESS REQUIREMENTS TO BIOSECURE AREAS, INDIVIDUALS MUST BE PHYSICALLY ABLE.

Depending on the areas of work involved you will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance.
Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with animals, including livestock, poultry, rodents and rabbits, will/may apply.
A valid full driving licence is necessary. Periodic travel within the UK may be required to attend training courses and this could include farm or abattoir visits as part of ongoing research or other postmortem facilities. You may have to ensure that no contact is made with farmed animals for a period of 1-2 days or more before visiting these premises and may therefore preclude anyone who lives on a livestock farm.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Ensuring that APHA maintains its Culture of Care, by complying with all the animal welfare, 3Rs, legal, and ethical requirements for the use of animals under ASPA

As AWERB Chair

• To ensure the AWERB meets its Terms of Reference and is an exemplar in the field following LASA/RSPCA guidance (also includes being joint AWERB hub chair with the Pirbright Institute)
• Promote 3R initiatives and support APHA’s Species Welfare and Advice Groups
• To advise and ethically review research work involving animals undertaken outside of ASPA, involving Dual use pathogens in animals and research work involving samples from humans by APHA staff
• Ensure the requirements of APHA being a signatory to Understanding Animal Research’s Openness Concordat are met

As Deputy for Establishment Licence Holder

• Deputising for the Establishment Licence holder as Named Person Responsible for Compliance to ensure that the requirements of ASPA and the conditions of the establishment licence are complied with, including Animal in Science Regulation Unit audit actions
• Liaising with and ensuring performance of the following named persons: Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) team who advise on the health, welfare and treatment of the animals, Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) team who oversee the welfare and care of the animals; Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO) who ensures that those dealing with animals are adequately educated, trained and supervised until they are competent and that they continue to undertake appropriate further training
• Work with APHA and Defra Group Property colleagues to ensure new animals buildings and refurbishments meet ASPA code of practice and liaise with the Animals in Science Regulation Unit to add them to the establishment licence
• Overseeing project licence applications to ensure continuity of APHA research involving animals
• To address Freedom of Information Act questions relating to ASPA
• Information Asset owner of ASPA licence material and line management of the Home Office Liaison Contact (HOLC) team and AWERB secretariat

As Named Information Officer

• Provide guidance on ASPA, search for and disseminate up to date information on 3Rs and other relevant developments, particularly to AWERB and project licensees and applicants
• Ensure that up-to-date information relevant to the needs of those dealing with animals is readily available, including procedures on novel species used at APHA
• Maintain contacts outside APHA such as Laboratory Animal Science Association, Laboratory Animal Veterinary Association, National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research and Replacing Animal Research for information sharing

As Discipline Lead you manage the development of Animal Sciences within the Agency by:

• Assessing the capability levels of Animal Sciences across the Agency
• Working with Lead Scientists and resource managers to ensure that there is sufficient consideration, expertise, and application of Animal Sciences to deliver the best scientific evidence to a specific scientific problem
• Working with Lead Scientists and resource managers to ensure that there is regular development of expertise within Animal Sciences
• Identifying external centres of excellence where strategic partnerships would strengthen capabilities available to the Agency in their discipline
• Arranging seminars and presentations of key developments in their area of expertise to selected audiences
• Developing a capability plan to advance Animal Sciences, which will identify what capabilities APHA will need to deliver our science and services in the future
• Acting as the focal point for a community of scientists, to coach and encourage best practice and to challenge others to ensure that sound scientific approaches are utilised, wherever the discipline is used across the Agency
• Provide specific metrics for the quarterly scorecard on Animal Sciences and present an annual review to other stakeholders to summarise activities, achievements and areas of improvement