APHA Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Veterinarian (CR 817)

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Exeter, Penrith, Weybridge

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 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. 

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. 

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, health? You will be helping to make a difference to the UK and contributing to global efforts to control and eradicate disease in animals and protecting global biodiversity. 

APHA Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Veterinarian. The post is full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged.

Job description

The jobholder will be a veterinarian who will provide AMR consultancy and deputise for the Head of the National and WOAH International Reference Laboratory for Antimicrobial Resistance.

The post holder will support management of the AMR portfolio of surveillance and research projects and the production of AMR surveillance and research outputs and will be involved in detecting AMR incidents of concern and arranging for their investigation.

The post-holder will develop consultancy skills as an expert in this field (for example, to Defra, VMD, FSA, BSAC, UKHSA, One Health team, industry, private laboratories).

The jobholder will also build on and develop their expertise to advise on the strategic direction and delivery of surveillance and research activities related to AMR.

Person specification

• Develop expertise to provide consultancy for all AMR activities across the Bacteriology Department (as well as the wider agency), bringing the AMR team together, supporting strategic developments, and seeking/supporting relevant new funding opportunities.
• Develop expertise to provide consultancy to Defra/VMD and other external bodies (notably WOAH, FAO, FSA/ACMSF, BSAC, EFSA, EMA) on AMR. Responsibilities include provision of consultancy, outbreak investigations, advice and expertise to policy makers, risk managers, public health authorities, local authorities, veterinary surgeons and the farming industry on the occurrence, control, microbiology and epidemiology of AMR and relevant bacterial zoonotic diseases, as directed by APHA, VMD and Defra.
• Provide day to day management support to the UK National Reference Laboratory for AMR in the Veterinary Sector.
• Support APHA’s WOAH Reference Laboratory status in AMR, contribute to the annual report and other support to WOAH in this area.
• Deliver and manage surveillance and research projects within a core AMR project on time and within budget.
• Actively contribute to farm visits as part of outbreak investigation or research projects.
• Ensure that APHA AMR science is delivered to appropriate quality standards and uses relevant and optimal scientific approaches. Support in review of project proposals before submission and assist in their development.
• Provide advice and AMR surveillance summaries to the Defra Antimicrobial Resistance Co-ordination Group.
• Produce national AMR summary data for publication/provide annual susceptibility reports on veterinary bacteria to Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
• Horizon scan to identify and investigate AMR hazards detected through research and surveillance and suggest possible control options to policy lead organisations.
• Contribute to the Salmonella Steering Group and provide antimicrobial resistance expertise for the annual Salmonella report “Salmonella in Livestock”.
• Review the AMR test portfolio and proficiency tests for APHA purposes and rectify omissions.
• Support in review and update of the VISI and VISION AMR surveillance documents for VIOs/APHA Regional Laboratories.
• Disseminate research results through scientific publications, reports, and presentations both nationally and internationally.
• Formulate new research project proposals, according to developing expertise and experience, and policy needs.
• Support the Regional Laboratories in their susceptibility testing and provide consultancy to ensure that testing is appropriate and relevant to practising veterinary surgeons.
• Build towards contributing to strategic direction in the AMR area. Deputise in portfolio strategy group meetings as required. Contribute to horizon scanning, discussions, planning, outputs and other strategic activities to ensure APHA preparedness to respond to AMR emergencies.
• Demonstrable knowledge of AMR, particularly in relation to bacterial diseases of animals and bacterial zoonoses (occurrence, current/emerging issues, prescribing practice etc.).
• Demonstrable knowledge of phenotypic and genotypic methods of detection of AMR.
• Knowledge of farming and food production.
• Experience in scientific research related to AMR and/or in field based epidemiological investigations.
• Working knowledge of ISO9001 and understanding of IS17025 principles.
• Good written and spoken English and full clean driving licence.

Qualifications

Degree in Veterinary Medicine, and registration to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Memberships

Registered to the Royal Veterinary College.

Behaviours

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

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service

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

• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Give a clear presentation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,220, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £11,941 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. Inclusion, support as 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 (28.97%), 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.

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 : Francesca Martelli
• Email : Francesca.Martelli@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: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.

Read Full Description