TB Technical Lead (ID4567)

Job summary

Do you want to be part of a team protecting Great Britain from exotic notifiable diseases?

Do you want to apply your communication and problem-solving skills in a role that provides variety and flexibility?

If so, why not join us and make a difference.

More than ever before the health of our environment, plants, animals and bees matters. Do you wish to be part of are part of an amazing, diverse team on the frontline in researching, investigating, and acting to protect the UK’s animal, plant and bee health? You will be helping to make a difference to the UK and contributing to global efforts to control and eradicate disease in plants, animals (such as Avian Influenza) and protecting global biodiversity.

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 Surveillance and Laboratory Services Department (SLSD) offers a range of diagnostic tests to support private veterinary surgeons (PVS) in veterinary case management across farms in England and Wales. The department also performs testing in a number of areas for surveillance purposes. The department plays a key role in delivering notifiable disease outbreak testing.

The technical lead post works directly in the delivery of diagnostic tests, providing technical expertise and experience across the testing in their area. You will provide technical troubleshooting as well as training and functional support of other team members in their delivery area.

The Tuberculosis (TB) Technical Lead is responsible for managing all the TB serology testing at Starcross Veterinary Investigation Centre (VIC) EX6 8PE. Responsible for the management of the throughput of testing and development work whilst upholding quality and safety standards.

Job description

Responsibilities

• Responsible for all the TB serology testing activities carried out at APHA Starcross.
• Manage the receipt, processing and reporting of results for samples submitted for TB serology testing.
• Manage and carry out the testing of serum samples for the detection of TB antibodies using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Enferplex (Chemiluminescence Immunoassay) and Dual Path Platform (DPP) technology.
• Fulfil the role of Test Consultant for certain serological tests, as required.
• Provide support in other TB testing areas, as required, including at Containment Level 3 (CL3).

Training

• Maintain a training programme for scientific staff referencing the succession plan and provide/arrange training for staff as required. Update the succession plan as training is complete and competence is signed off.

Technical

• Undertake and provide technical support for all the TB serology testing activities carried out at Starcross, maintenance of the TB serology SharePoint calendar.
• Monitor and maintain all associated stocks of reagents and consumables for all TB serology tests.
• Keep up to date with literature and policies/regulations that will compliment or enhance current TB testing regimes or project work and feed back to colleagues as required e.g. via project meetings and presentations.
• Responsible for technical troubleshooting, test development, improvement, and validation.
• Develop and maintain strong collaborative links with other scientists within/outside APHA.
• Provide assistance and technical cover to the TB test manager/s when required.
• Keep relevant managers and disease consultant up to date, as required.
• To provide assistance and technical support to other areas of the laboratory as required.
• Responsible for the collation and monitoring of External Quality Assurance (EQA), Internal Quality Control (IQC) and test performance data.
• Develop and maintain expertise in TB serology methods, providing feedback on testing outcomes to management and Species Experts as required.
• Attend or prepare briefings for local management meetings.
• Assist with promoting TB serology testing and expertise within the APHA and external institutions as required.

Quality

• Ensure testing processes are in line with ISO17025 quality standards by maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), logbooks, calibration records, Non-Conforming Work (NCW) investigations, Uncertainty of Measurement (UoM), External Quality Assurance (EQA), Internal Quality Control (IQC) documentation as well as participating/undertaking audits as required.

Accommodation

• To take appropriate action to resolve damage/faults/equipment failure. Arrange servicing/calibration of equipment as required.

Safety

• Comply with the APHA’s Health and Safety (H&S) Policy, H&S Standards and Guidance, risk assessments and SOPs, and to accept that by not following these could lead to management action against the post holder.
• Ensure all testing processes are carried out in line with the agencies safety policies and procedures and as well as maintaining appropriate risk assessments.
• Undertake twice yearly H&S ‘Supervision & Monitoring’ of staff within the areas of responsibility.

Person specification

Experience and skills:

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Good understanding of underpinning basis of serological testing, especially ELISAs
• Routine serological methods and interpretation of results
• Wider specialist serological testing, techniques and processes
• Good understanding of test validations
• Training colleagues in serological methods
• Collating and monitoring of EQA, IQC and test performance data
• Providing feedback on testing issues to management
• Processing samples to test SOPs, including use of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Implementation and maintenance of quality and safety procedures, including auditing in these areas.
• A degree in Biological Sciences or similar, or equivalent experience as outlined in the job description.

Ways of Working
This post requires you to be working onsite five days per week or less if part-time on a job share.

Periodic travel within the UK and Europe may be required to attend training courses, conferences and scientific meetings. This could also include visits to farms, abattoir or other post- mortem 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 If not based at the Weybridge site, regular visits to the site will be required e.g. minimum one visit per month (travel costs will be covered by the department).

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.

Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with small animals, mainly rodents and rabbits, may apply.

A valid full driving licence is necessary or access to an alternative means of transport.

The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required. Notwithstanding the post title, the post holder will not be required to work with live Mycobacterium organisms or any materials that pose a tuberculosis risk. All work is carried out within a Containment Level 2 (CL2) laboratory, in full compliance with standard precautions for Hazard Group 2 pathogens. Appropriate risk assessments are in place, and all necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided.

The post will also require Health clearance. You will be expected to complete a questionnaire on your general health and have any necessary health surveillance, including Skin Sensitisers and Tetanus. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving

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

• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,715, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £8,608 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 days per year. 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: Managing a Quality Service. Follow 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.

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 the Personal Statement. 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. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.

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 Science.DirectorateHR@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: Managing a Quality Service, Communicating and Influencing, Changing and Improving. Follow the Behaviour criteria outlined in the Success 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.
• You will also be required to give an 8-minute presentation with slides on the topic: What are the key skills/experience that you are able to bring to this Technical Lead role?followed by 2 minutes for questions and answers. This will be assessed under the behaviour criteria: Communicating and Influencing.

Your interview will be conducted in person only at APHA Starcross.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

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.

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.

Location
Please be aware that this role 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 (excluding Northern Ireland) and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

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. For most candidates your hours of work will be a blend of working from an APHA workplace (specific to the team location) with working at home.

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.

This role is based at APHA Starcross, Devon 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.

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

Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service 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.

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.ukstating the job reference number in the subject heading.

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.

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.

Working Pattern
This role is full time only. We may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged. 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.

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

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 :

• Name : Science Directorate Recruitment Team
• Email : Science.DirectorateHR@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

TB Technical Lead (EO) - Master JD 2026_Edited Opens in new window (doc, 186kB)APHA Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1882kB)