Animal and Plant Health Agency
Farming & Countryside Development and Delivery Manager
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Are you passionate about improving outcomes for farmers and working collaboratively across government to deliver meaningful change?
Are you an organised and proactive project professional who thrives on building relationships and driving continuous improvement?
If so, we would love to hear from you!
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (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.
Job Description
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is seeking a Development and Delivery Manager to join its Regulatory Affairs, Compliance and Enforcement (RACE) department.
RACE supports APHA's role as a national regulator, helping to safeguard animal, plant, bee and public health through effective regulation, compliance and enforcement, while maintaining the UK's biosecurity.
We have an interesting opportunity within the RACE department as a Development and Delivery Manager to provide support, development and management to a wide variety of projects across the Defra’s Farming Directorate.
This role supports the delivery of a diverse portfolio of projects across Defra's Farming Directorate and APHA transformation programmes. Working closely with Defra's Farming, Innovation and Regulatory Services team, the postholder will help improve farmer engagement, strengthen collaboration across Defra Arm's-Length Bodies (ALBs), and identify opportunities to improve regulatory services and reduce burdens on farmers and land managers.
Key Responsibilities Include But Are Not Limited To:
- Supporting projects to improve engagement and communication with farmers through written, digital and face-to-face channels
- Producing and analysing management information to support reporting, business planning and performance management
- Supporting the Delivering Sustainable Future transformation programme through customer insight and service improvement activities
- Coordinating joint training, continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities and collaborative initiatives across Defra ALBs
- Promoting and supporting data-sharing initiatives, including the Eyes and Ears app and other tools that improve operational effectiveness
- Contributing to the development and implementation of Defra's Joint Service Improvement Plan
- Representing APHA at regional Field Officer Forums, building relationships and identifying opportunities for improvement and collaboration
- Providing flexible support to wider APHA transformation projects as required
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Person specification
We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate the below skills and experience:
- Experience of working within the farming sector, farmer engagement, or regulatory environments, with an understanding of the challenges facing farmers and land managers.
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance and enforcement, including awareness of changes and developments within the regulatory landscape.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads, manage competing demands and maintain accuracy.
- Experience of working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders and building effective professional relationships.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and adapt approaches to different audiences.
- Strong IT and analytical skills, including the ability to gather, interpret and use information to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
- A proactive and adaptable approach, with the ability to identify risks, solve problems and work effectively in a changing environment.
- A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel occasionally to attend field locations, meetings and regional Forums.
Why work for APHA?
Alongside your salary of £35,895, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £10,398 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Learning and Development
At APHA, we are committed to supporting you to develop your skills, knowledge, and professional capability throughout your career.
From day one, you will be welcomed through a structured induction programme, helping you understand the Civil Service, our work, and how we operate. You’ll work closely with your line manager to set clear priorities and develop a performance, learning, and development plan tailored to your role.
Alongside formal training, you will have opportunities to apply and develop your knowledge in a practical environment, contributing to continuous improvement and innovation.
Inclusion, support, and the wellbeing of our people are central to what we do, ensuring everyone at APHA can thrive both professionally and personally.
Benefits
- Civil Service Pension - Defra contributes an average of 28.97% of your salary towards your pension
- A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
- An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.
- Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts from retailers such as High street coffee shops, Cinema’s, supermarkets, High street retailers and many, many more.
- Staff bonuses and recognition including appreciate vouchers of up to £200 and larger in year awards of up to £1000,
- Salary sacrifice benefit options and an employee discount scheme such as bike to work, Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme, every £8 they pay in, the government adds £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 a year for each child.
- Discounted gym membership with Fitness First or Pure Gym.
- Special Leave with pay, per year, for volunteering.
- Making it work for you - With so many flexible working options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.
Closing date is 11.55pm on Monday 5th October 2026
For more information and to apply - Farming & Countryside Development and Delivery Manager - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London