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£29,082 - £30,402Job grade
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Business area
Type of role
Science
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Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
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 2,500 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.
We have an exciting opportunity to provide professional support and secretarial service to an APHA Science Director. We are looking for enthused and motivated person with a commitment to learn and develop. You will have a positive approach, be detail focussed and enjoy the challenge of working at pace with a good level of personal responsibility and ability to focus on the top priorities.
You will work directly to the Executive Office Manager and provide administrative support directly to one APHA Science Director. The post holder must be prepared to be flexible in their approach and provide cover when required across the Executive Support team to ensure a robustness of service for the Directors. The Executive Support team looks after 8 Directors across the APHA network.
We are looking for a full-time team member who is caring, can demonstrate integrity, work well as part of a team and always aim for excellence in everything they do.
Job description
- To provide full secretariat support to a named Science director within APHA. We are looking for someone who will manage diaries, emails and ensure briefings are provided for forthcoming commitments. In addition, undertake and co-ordinate other administrative duties and project support as required, presenting a professional image of APHA.
- To provide full Secretariat support for Corporate, Senior leader, or science meetings and events. Working within a pressured office environment, there is a need for excellent organisational skills.
- Arranging meetings and collating feedback or researching and analysing information. You will need to have an ability to manage conflicting demands whilst maintaining focus and being able to reprioritise to ensure delivery is not impacted.
- To assist with the provision of effective communications & correspondence. You will need to attend meetings to minute take, complete audiotyping, formatting and proof-reading of a variety of documents (reports and correspondence, emails etc). Draft letters, PowerPoint presentations as well as draft briefings for critical meetings and ministerial approval. Awareness of responsibilities and discretion in terms of handling and protecting sensitive information.
- To assist with the provision of accurate management information and ability to collate financial information for budgets and ongoing monthly forecasts, raising issues as appropriate.
- To assist with recruitment campaigns as appropriate.
- To provide full support in an emergency or incident response situation. Be flexible and willing to adjust to changing situations within the Executive office when responding to emergencies.
Person specification
Candidates should possess and be able to demonstrate the following experience:
- Excellent IT literacy and SharePoint experience
- Experience working in a fast-moving environment.
- Resilient to change
- Copes well in pressured environments
- Exceptional organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Previous experience of diary management
- Previous experience of drafting minutes, letters, briefings.
- Experience of relationship building and collaborative working
- Excellent communication skills.
- Experience of relationship building and collaborative working.
- Experience or familiarity with scientific/medical language
There will be occasional travel to other APHA locations. Out of hours and detached duty work may be required in the event of an outbreak or incident to support the Directors. Allowances will be paid subject to eligibility criteria being met.
All successful candidates will be provided with training and support as part of their induction into working with APHA. APHA appreciates the varying level of experiences and skills successful candidates will hold on joining the agency. Training material is designed to ensure all new entrants to APHA build suitable confidence and competencies to deliver.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Seeing the Big Picture
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement, and behaviour statements. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted on the Personal Statement and anonymised CV. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview. Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours and your experience. A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Full Time Only
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. We may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged.
Higher Security Clearance
The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies, including disease outbreaks. This role central to the Agency in supporting the Directors and for this reason the post holder will be required to hold valid Security Clearance (SC) or above, before taking up their position. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have between 3 to 10 years continuous UK residency depending on the level of Security. However, residency qualification maybe reduced for certain roles and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. It this clearance is not already held a full process to undertake the checks will need to be undertaken before the post can be taken up, which can take time.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Medical
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission
