Animal Health & Welfare Scientist - fixed term contract

Job summary

We are currently recruiting for an Animal Health and WelfareScientist to work on a hybrid basis, two/three days from our HQ in Coventry and the remainder working remotely from home.

This 13-month, fixed-term role has responsibility to design and deliver a range of Animal Health and Welfare projects covering a variety of specialist areas. Educated to degree level in a related discipline, with experience in the livestock sector, we are looking for a proactive individual with strong organisational and communications skills and a genuine interest in farming and improving the health and welfare of livestock in the industry.

About AHDB

We are the independent, impartial public body that unlocks success in British agriculture. Funded by a levy from over 100,000 British producers in the beef, lamb, pork, dairy and cereals sectors, we support and champion farmers, growers and processors, often where no one else can or will.

We share the expert, evidence-based research and reports that inform on-farm decision making. We promote British produce to the UK public through domestic marketing campaigns, and we identify and open new global export opportunities to help farm businesses grow.

We help levy payers learn more, sell more and export more to remain sustainable and profitable. Together, we deliver the insights, the influence and the impact that farmers need.

Job description

• Provide technical expertise into specific activities and projects in the Animal Health and Welfare area, including advising on scientific rationale and providing technical support to levy payers, the organisation and government
• Act as a reference point for those activities to become a nationally recognised expert. Use that expertise to expand the knowledge base of other AHDB staff
• Ensure effective and efficient delivery of projects to the required standard, identifying and resolving any issues in a timely and professional manner
• Take an active approach in providing evidence-based, UK factual data to the media, government and the wider supply chain
• Work with colleagues to understand key priorities from levy payers and the wider industry, ensuring promotion of the Animal Health and Welfare work
• Maintain effective communication with all stakeholders, providing solutions to issues arising in a timely manner
• Represent AHDB within the area of expertise, ensuring that research and knowledge exchange achieve a positive impact with our levy payers
• Proactively contribute to a high-performing team
• Will be familiar with the budgets allocated to projects and programmes being worked on

Person specification

• Relevant degree in agricultural, biology, veterinary or related discipline
• Knowledge of, or experience in, the livestock sector
• Confident in proactive networking with stakeholders, in person or via other communication channels
• Excellent project management skills
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills
• Excellent prioritisation, organisation and time management skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to think outside the box
• A flexible approach to adapt to the changing priorities of the livestock sector
• Hold a valid driving licence, with the ability to travel around the UK when required

Benefits

We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work, so we have a great mix of benefits and opportunities to give you the recognition you deserve:

• 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday, to include hybrid working
• 33 days annual leave plus one privilege day (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Life assurance cover (4x salary)
• A market-leading defined contribution pension scheme with Legal & General
• Enhanced pay of 20 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, subject to length of service
• A paid day each year to volunteer and make a difference in your community
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent training and development opportunities and an agreed development plan
• Recognition awards throughout the year
• Reward Gateway membership – this gives you a huge number of online discounts and savings

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

To apply, simply upload your CV and Cover Letter via our careers portal by clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this page. Our hiring managers will review your application, and we’ll be in touch with the outcome shortly after the closing date.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial interview via MS Teams. If successful, a second-stage face-to-face interview will be held at our HQ in Coventry, Warwickshire, following our competency-based framework.

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk
• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk
• Telephone : 02476 935722

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ahdb.org.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles of the Civil Service, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the Head of HR via email: hr@ahdb.org.uk