Science Estates Transformation Liaison Officer (CR2247)

Job summary

Do you have a methodical approach to organising work?

Do you have a can-do attitude?

Are you highly organised with excellent communication skills?

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.

In this role you will support the APHA National Science Centre in Animal Health (NSCAH) Department in its delivery of a range of projects and masterplan activities, within science operations and on the APHA Weybridge estate.

The NSCAH Department represents APHA science on estates projects across the APHA estate, working to ensure the retention of all capability required to continue delivering world leading science in the interest of Animal Health.

Job description

In this post you will provide a range of project support tasks to the APHA Science Estate and engineering teams for the delivery of a range of critical infrastructure enabling and transition moves of science facilities. This includes:

Science Estates

• Develop knowledge of the APHA science business needs, the science facilities and the estates services and support in managing the relationship between science users, Defra Group Property (DgP) and the Facility Management provider (FM) for APHA science sites.
• Initial point of escalation of issues from building officers. Work with building officers to follow up on work requests/projects and ensure they are carried out in a timely manner. Understanding when to escalate these issues at the appropriate time.
• Keeping facilities management and associated team informed of key expert personnel e.g. Building Officers/Nominated persons and biocontainment leads.
• Preparation of briefing information for monthly team meetings and Science Directorate update. Provide evidence for communication of project progress, activities, and evidence of any unsatisfactory work to be escalated.
• Help to close actions which are needed to move projects forward i.e. by arranging and facilitating meetings on the ground between contractors or FM, building officers, Nominated persons.
• Monitoring delivery of the Facility Management’s performance through analysis of the work requests, Planned and Reactive Maintenance Correctives and flag concerns.
• Review of non-containment Planned Preventive Maintenances to identify recommendations that are not being acted upon.
• Deputise for senior Science Estates staff when asked and represent NSCAH at selected working groups (e.g. Traffic Management) and other meetings as required.
• Contribute to NSCAH department objectives, priorities and continuous improvement through collaborative working and sharing lessons.
• Monitor a shared team inbox and escalate issues as appropriate.

Science Transformation

• Collation of data and information for wider dissemination to the team and science departments
• Facilitating engineers, scientists and project leads/consultants for transition moves across site of any scientific equipment which will need servicing and testing after a move.
• Physically assisting teams with decontamination, transition moves, logistics and building plans, equipment and staff relocations across site, and rationalisation (e.g., samples, records, and surplus equipment).
• Training may include periods of embedding in a particular science department to help gain knowledge and understanding. Proactive self-development is encouraged, including identification of knowledge gaps and development needs.
• Provide secretariat support for meetings – organise meetings, draft agenda, draft minutes and progress actions, facilitate workshops and provide data analysis outputs etc.
• Escort visitors and assist with site visits, where required.
• Stand in for managers as appropriate

General Estates Admin support duties:

• Provide secretariat support for meetings – organise meetings, draft agenda, draft minutes and progress actions, facilitate workshops and provide data analysis outputs etc.
• Take ownership of and maintain the Science Estates SharePoint site.
• Management of contact lists, organograms etc.
• Arranging for visitors (give pre-visit site information packs), book-in with reception and security, meeting at gatehouse and escorting where required.
• Stand in for Estates managers as appropriate.

Person specification

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Highly organised and ability to multitask
• Good interpersonal skills
• Experience and proven written communication skills
• Experience of working in a scientific or other specialist environment
• Strong communicator across multiple platforms, with a proven ability to influence colleagues and stakeholders at all levels
• IT literate, particularly with the use of Microsoft Office packages (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and SharePoint
• Good knowledge of Power Bi for data analysis

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. For this reason, all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. For this role, the postholder is required to hold a valid Security Check (SC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicantsmust be currently resident in the UKhave at least five years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated.

Workplace arrangements

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.

This post requires you to be working on site five days per week, or less if on a job share, with scope to change to 60% office attendance subject to agreement with your line manager.

Periodic travel within the UK and Europe may be required to attend training courses, conferences and scientific meetings.

Out of hours work may be required. When overtime or out-of-hours work is required, APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements. You may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment.

You may be required to carry out manual handling tasks and will receive appropriate training in good manual handling techniques. The work involved in this post can therefore be physically demanding, so a level of physical fitness is required.

The post will require Health clearance. You will be expected to complete a questionnaire on your general health. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge.

Travel to other APHA sites across the UK may be required in this role.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,350, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £9,661 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

In return for your dedication and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training as inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a generous employer contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offer additional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time – if accumulated), three paid volunteering day per year. We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site. Further details can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.

Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.

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 and Experience.

Application Process

You will be required to complete the following as part of your application:

• A CV-style application submitted through an online tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobs website. There is no requirement to upload your personal CV.
• A 750-word Personal Statement of how you match the details in the Personal Specification – the written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. We encourage you to use the full word allowance of the Personal Statement but not to exceed it
• A 250-word Behaviour Statement for the following Behaviour: Seeing the Big Picture. Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the Behaviours in your application.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

CV Guidance

Your CV should consist of your career history, including any key achievements and your main responsibilities in each role and be no longer than 2 pages.

Your CV will be used to provide further context on your Personal Statement and scored against the essential criteria.

Personal Statement Guidance

When completing your Personal Statement, please read and understand 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 criteria. 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.

Scoring for all criteria of the application is from 1 to 7 – A score of 4 and above in each area will progress to interview unless there is a large number of applications. In this instance, an initial sift will be conducted using Lead Behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

The panel may agree a benchmark score higher than 4 with a rationale for the decision. Any candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme who scores 4 or above on all of the criteria will be offered an interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

For further guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV style application, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit the Civil Service Careers website. How to write your CV , Civil Service Careers

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 nscah.office@apha.gov.uk with the vacancy reference number, your applicant reference number, and the closing date.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on:

• Experience as detailed in the Person Specification section - Success Profiles: Experience - GOV.UK .
• Behaviours: Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Changing and Improving.
  The Behaviour criteria outlined in theSuccess Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UKframework for EO positions. Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the Behaviours in your interview.
  

Your interview will be conducted face to face. You will be notified of the location of the interview when you are invited to interview.

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

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Candidates who do not meet the criteria for appointment at the advertised Grade, but are considered a ‘near miss’, may be offered a similar post at a Grade lower than the advertised role should one become available.

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. Offers will be made in merit order.

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

Location

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).

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

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.

This role is based at APHA Weybridge only due to the nature of the role and the duties required. This post requires you to be working on site five days per week, or less if on a job share, with scope to change to 60% office attendance subject to agreement with your line manager.

Salary

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

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.

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.

Working Pattern

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

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please see our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

For this role, the postholder is required to hold a valid Security Check (SC) security clearance or above. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK and have at least five years continuous UK residency in order to start the mandatory security checks that are required to work at APHA Weybridge. If you cannot meet this criterion, CTC clearance will not be possible as this is part of pre-employment checks required before taking up the post.

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.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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.

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 :

• Name : NSCAH Office
• Email : nscah.office@apha.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

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

Science Estates Support Officer (CR2247) Opens in new window (docx, 70kB)APHA Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1869kB)