Job summary
Do you want to be part of a dynamic team assessing international disease threats and protecting Great Britain from exotic notifiable diseases? If so, why not join us and make a difference!
As the International Reference Laboratory (IRL) Secretariat you will provide administrative support to the IRL for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease and Swine Influenza by supporting its directors as well as monitoring the IRL mailbox, liaising internationally through a range of correspondence, setting up and minuting international meetings and supporting delivery of national and international workshops. The successful candidate will also provide support to the Head of the Virology Department and support the administrative team contributing to the effective running of the Virology department. The role will report to the Head of the Virology Department and the Director of the IRL.
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 the UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for the benefit of the environment and the 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.
Job description
Main areas of work will include:
1. Support to the Director and the wider International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Newcastle Disease and Swine Influenza team including diary management, travel assistance, output management and arranging international shipments.
2. Support to the Virology Head of Department; diary management, arranging travel and external meetings.
3. Minute taking, formatting, and proof-reading a variety of documents (reports and correspondence).
4. Monitor scientific and delivery progress of projects and assist with the submission of project/contract documentation including some financial oversight.
5. Administrative support to the IRL, including preparation of annual reports and managing the IRL inbox, directing enquiries to appropriate staff and ensuring replies are recorded.
6. Monitoring of the IRL finances, and preparation of monthly summary reports.
7. Manage IRL material transfer agreements and confidentiality agreements including liaison with third parties.
8. Events planning support to large scale international events such as the annual NRL meeting, training workshops and meetings/symposiums.
9. Administrative support to the Virology department, to include managing the Virology SPOL site, monitoring of the Virology mailbox, assisting with departmental visitors and deputising for the Building Officer by signing in contractors (in accordance with Agency procedures).
10. Adhere to the ISO:9001 quality standard, to participate in both internal and external audits when required.
Person specification
You will need to demonstrate the following:
11. IT literate, particularly with the use of Microsoft office packages (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), SharePoint online (SPOL) and Teams.
12. Experience with minute taking for meetings.
13. Excellent written communication and interpersonal skills � including answering emails, taking phone calls and in-person meetings.
14. Accuracy and efficiency when inputting data and collating/filing paperwork.
15. Ability to handle financial data.
16. Handling official permits and licensure.
17. Ability to work with staff at all grades including senior managers.
18. Flexibility to respond positively to change.
19. Ability to work under pressure, meeting tight deadlines.
20. Awareness of responsibilities in terms of handling and protecting information according to its sensitivities.
Qualifications
A degree or equivalent experience.
Other information
Staff will be required to work rostered on-call duties, weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings. Out of hours work may be required in the event of a disease incident. 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.
The successful candidate will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations and comply with health surveillance protocols. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It will also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment. The post holder will need to wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required.
Periodic travel within the UK or overseas may be required. A valid full driving licence is necessary or access to an alternative means of transport.
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 post holders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have at least three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
21. Communicating and Influencing
22. Delivering at Pace
23. Making Effective Decisions
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
24. Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �30,827, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes �8,930 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
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, 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. 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.