Job summary
This post in the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) offers the opportunity to build and develop expertise in risk assessment for animal disease and food safety. APHA is an executive agency of the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). We are responsible for identifying, managing and controlling incidents and outbreaks of endemic and exotic diseases and pests in animals, plants and bees. We provide unique capabilities and an evidence base for UK government, together with international reference responsibilities.
The Biomathematics & Risk Research (BRR) Workgroup within the Department for Epidemiological Sciences is a nationally & internationally recognised group of risk analysts, modellers and statisticians providing high quality scientific evidence for policy formulation and outbreak response, as well as specialist support to research and operations in the area of animal and public health.
The post holder will be primarily involved in developing qualitative risk assessments, after appropriate training, and supporting data collection for quantitative risk assessments. The post holder will work on projects for policy and trade, assessing the risk to animal health due to trade in various commodities, as well as research projects and reactive projects in response to perceived threats from incursions of pathogens relevant to livestock, pets and wildlife. This post provides an opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to gain a deep understanding of qualitative risk assessment, and some knowledge of quantitative risk assessment.
Job description
The responsibilities of the Risk Analyst will involve:
With on-the-job training, development of qualitative risk assessments and simple quantitative risk assessments. Liaise with national and international disease and risk assessment experts in the veterinary and public health fields and colleagues within the APHA providing and collating data or information for use in current risk assessments and other mathematical modelling projects. Carry out literature searches on specific pathogens and topics. Contributing or leading the writing of project reports and scientific papers.� Writing and giving scientific presentations where appropriate. Keep up to date with developments in selected areas of the risk analysis discipline, in particular, with relevance to animal health policy. Seek opportunities to assist in the writing of project proposals to obtain funding.
Person specification
A methodical approach to data collection with the capability to summarise large amounts of information into essential elements. Good communication and interpersonal skills, including scientific writing skills, to be able to communicate with people at all levels. Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team across different projects and to work independently. Ability to pay attention to detail to ensure that project reports and papers are of the highest quality.
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, or working frequently, 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 and 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.
Applicants should indicate location preferences.�
Travel will be required to attend meetings, training courses or conferences.� You must have a valid driving licence, or be able to call upon suitable alternate means of transport
Qualifications
�Candidates must have a degree in a quantitative or biological/disease-related subject.
�If qualifications were not obtained in English, then we will require documentary evidence of a GCSE pass at grade A � C or an equivalent qualification in English.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Working Together Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Applying scientific and technical knowledge.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �27,470, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes �7,958 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 (27%), 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.
