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APHA Veterinary Graduate Programme

APHA Veterinary Graduate Programme

Animal and Plant Health Agency
remoteHybrid
ExpiresExpires: Expiring in less than 3 weeks
Healthcare
Full time
£36,000 per year

Job summary

The APHA Veterinary Graduate Programme offers newly qualified vets the opportunity to begin their careers in a supportive environment focused on veterinary public health.

As part of the programme you will be employed as a Veterinary Inspector, and follow a twelve month syllabus designed to build confidence, capability and professional judgement.

View our APHA Veterinary Graduate Programme brochure here: https://apha.pagetiger.com/VeterinaryGraduateProgramme

Whilst the advert and brochure provide the essential details, we will also be holding two virtual drop-in sessions. TIME on DATE and TIME on DATE via Microsoft Teams. These sessions will be an opportunity to ask questions related to the job and the application process.

To join the session, click on the link below:

Field Vet Drop-In Session – 9 April 2026, 6pm

https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/33077178909293?p=33BeZIgR7b64Ky3cPk

Field Vet Drop-In Session – 11 April 2026, 3pm - https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/33077178909293?p=33BeZIgR7b64Ky3cPk

For any additional queries, or for those unable to attend a drop-in session please raise enquiries via: VetGraduateProgramme@apha.gov.uk

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.

Job description

We currently have five exciting opportunities to join our new APHA Veterinary Graduate programme in one of the above locations. The programme provides a twelve-month appointment as a Veterinary Inspector, which follows a varied syllabus to develop your skills and deliver a wide range of duties including but not limited to:

  • Investigating animal diseases in farm livestock by:
    • undertaking on-farm and field investigations
    • examining and inspecting farmed animals to support differential diagnosis of disease
    • conducting post-mortem examinations and collecting samples for laboratory testing when appropriate
    • collecting and evaluating history and relevant data to support decisions
    • collating and reporting findings and making recommendations
  • Welfare investigations, both reactive and surveillance work.
  • Inspection, approval and audit of a range of premises
  • Responding to incidents and outbreaks of animal notifiable diseases
  • Ensuring compliance, with statutory standards, of animal health and welfare

As part of your development with the syllabus, you will:

  • Participate at a central induction event for onboarding activities, providing an opportunity to meet your new graduate cohort
  • Complete your RCVS Vet GDP portfolio, using relevant Entrustable Professional Activities aligned to APHA work areas, supported by your Vet GDP Advisor.
  • Participate in regular (approximately monthly) visits to different APHA facilities across GB, this includes two one-week blocks at either an APHA Veterinary Investigation Centre or Scotland’s Rural College.
  • Participate in contextualised communication and other soft skill training

As part of the role, you will be expected to regularly travel throughout the week to carry out the duties outlined above. The post holder will occasionally be required to work from other locations with possible overnight stays.

All posts will be offered in merit order based on location preference and business need.

While it is not anticipated that staff will take part in out of hours work during the 12 month programme, in case of large scale notifiable disease outbreaks, staff may be required to take part in an on-call, out of hours rota as well as a UK detached duty rota.

Following the twelve-month appointment, there may be an opportunity to gain promotion to Senior Veterinary Inspector (SVI) based on successful completion of an assessment of your technical competence, professional behaviours, and readiness for SVI responsibilities.

Progression to SVI will depend on how many veterinary vacancies are available when the programme is completed. For those not immediately progressing to SVI, your employment with APHA will cease at the end of the 12-month programme having developed numerous and transferable skills that will assist you in your future career, including future recruitment opportunities for permanent roles in APHA. Please note that if any SVI vacancies are available at the end of the programme they will be GB wide, and may differ from your host location for the new graduate programme.

Support and training

All successful candidates will be provided with an extensive programme of training and support as part of their induction into working with APHA.

The twelve-month syllabus has been designed based on RCVS Day One competences and to support new graduate vets in their first role after graduation.

Each successful candidate will be assigned their own VetGDP advisor to support in their development and their completion of the RCVS VetGDP portfolio.

New veterinary staff will be part of regional, country and GB wide teams who will be provided with widespread support on all facets of APHA work.

Person specification

We are looking for candidates who:

  • Are able to communicate messages to different audiences, using language appropriate to the situation concerned.
  • Can demonstrate experience of working effectively with others.
  • Are able to prioritise based on urgency and adapt to new situations flexibly.
  • Are able to produce accurate records and reports to communicate veterinary knowledge.
  • Understand the importance of self-audits and peer review processes to maintain or improve quality.
  • Have an interest in veterinary public health.


Licences

A valid driving licence that covers the UK, access to a vehicle with appropriate business use insurance.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Veterinary Science or equivalent, with the degree completed at a British or European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) approved Veterinary School in 2026 prior to commencing the role.

Memberships

A Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, with a status of ‘UK Practising’ at commencement of the role.

Languages

Must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to enable effective communication about veterinary topics with customers and colleagues and meet one of the following:
• have undertaken undergraduate veterinary training in English;
or
• have a sufficient command of spoken and written English to effectively perform the role being undertaken by a
public sector worker in a customer-facing role
or
• have achieved the following scores in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or
equivalent in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application - Overall 7, Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • Awareness of notifiable exotic animal diseases in GB.
  • Animal welfare issues in GB agriculture
  • Awareness of biosecurity in animal disease control
  • Veterinary and ethical Knowledge.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,000, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £10,429 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Further benefits offered also include:

  • A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
  • An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.
  • Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
  • Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
  • Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.
  • A culture engouraging inclusion and diversity.

These are just a few of our benefits we offer. To find out the full range of what we offer refer to the Information Pack attached for more detail.

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1

Application Process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

  • A 500-word Personal Statement.

When completing your Personal Statement, please read and understand the Essential Criteria (as set out in the Person Specification) thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Please ensure you evidence the key personal qualities and experiences that align with the role’s requirements.

Consider the Job Description and look to demonstrate how your previous experience may align with the expectations and be applicable to the role. The written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc.

We encourage you to use the full 500 word allowance of the Personal Statement but not to exceed. You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several essential criteria.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

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

Stage 2

Preparing for the interview

During the interview you will be assessed based on: Behaviours, Strength, Technical and Experience

If you are selected for interview, you will receive an electronic notification to your Civil Service Jobs account.

Upon receiving the interview invitation, please log into the system to schedule your interview slot in advance.

Interviews will be conducted via MS Teams, and a link will be provided in your interview invitation.

The interview

At interview you will be assessed against the Behaviour 'Communicating and Influencing', Strength questions and the technical criteria outlined in the advert.

The Behaviour will be tested via a presentation. You will be required to deliver a brief presentation on a topic relevant to the role. Details on the topics and the specifics of the presentation will be made available in advance of the interview. The assessment of ‘Communicating and Influencing’ will be aligned with the HEO Behaviour element of the Success Profiles framework. You will not be expected to present slides to support your presentation, and there will not be facilities available. The details of the presentation will be sent to interview candidates 72 hours before the interview.

The interview will follow a blended approach and will last approximately 60 minutes.

A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation at interview, offering a more inclusive approach.

For further information on Success Profiles, you can visit the links below and watch our videos on Defra Jobs.

Strength questions will explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the job role.

This is an example of a strengths-based question:

“It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”

After the interview

Once all the interviews have been conducted, candidates will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are successful at the interview stage, we will be in touch to offer you a role. There is one post available at each location, offers will be made in merit order by location and the top scoring candidate will receive their first choice location.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake, please contact us via: recruitment.sdd@apha.gov.uk using the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.

Near Miss

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Defra which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Location

Candidates will be asked at application stage to give their top 3 location preferences.

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

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.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

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 maybe carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service/Disclosure Scotland 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.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

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.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

NSV

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to DEFRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

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.

Working Pattern

Due to the structure and timetable of this development programme, and to ensure all successful candidates receive the full training required to complete it, this role is offered on a full‑time basis only.This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Veterinary Graduate in the Veterinary Graduate Programme.

The post is not permanent. It is time limited due to a fixed funding period or as part of a specific project. The fixed term will end when the funding or the project expires.

This post will therefore begin from the candidate's start date and after 12 months.



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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 :

Recruitment team

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact 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: here

Attachments

454252 Advert Welsh Translation Final Opens in new window (docx, 101kB)APHA Information Pack Nov 25 Opens in new window (pdf, 1869kB)Welsh APHA Information Pack Nov 25 Opens in new window (pdf, 2685kB)

Salary range

  • £36,000 per year