Animal and Plant Health Agency
Veterinary Advisor - International Trade team
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Veterinary Advisor - International Trade team
Veterinary Advisor – International Trade Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA)
Delivery Options Available
Full time | Part time | Job share | Flexible working
Locations
Bristol, Cardiff, Carlisle, Carmarthen, Crewe, Exeter, Leicester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Perth, Preston, Winchester, York
A Message From Us
Are you someone who can lead and manage change in a challenging and dynamic environment?
Do you want to apply your communication and problem-solving skills in a role that provides variety and flexibility?
If so, we would love to hear from you!
We believe the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is a brilliant place to work, where our people:
- Feel valued
- Have a voice
- Can be their authentic selves
We value difference and diversity as we firmly believe it helps us:
- Pursue innovation
- Make better decisions
We are committed to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all.
Our goal? To build a diverse workforce and attract applications from:
- All backgrounds
- Underrepresented communities
About the Role
Position Title
Veterinary Advisor – International Trade Team
** WORKPLACE**
Centre for International Trade (CIT), Animal and Plant Health Agency
** OPPORTUNITY TYPE**
This is an exciting executive boarding role, operating at a senior level just below Senior Leadership. This role is permanent, full time or potentially part time.
Responsibilities
As a Veterinary Advisor for International Trade, you will lead, manage, and advise the International Veterinary Team (IVT) and wider CIT and APHA teams in matters related to import and export.
Your key responsibilities will include:
-
Leadership and Team Management
- Lead and manage the International Veterinary Team (IVT), setting clear strategic direction.
- Provide strategic oversight and day-to-day leadership, including:
- Supporting performance and development
- Effective people management to ensure high-quality, consistent delivery
- Mentor and support teams to meet organisational goals
-
Expert Veterinary Advice & Policy Support
- Provide authoritative veterinary advice to:
- intra-IVT teams
- APHA teams
- Defra policy teams
- Chief Veterinary Officer
- Support trade policy development and implementation, ensuring advice is:
- Practical and evidence-based
- Aligned with organisational priorities
- Provide authoritative veterinary advice to:
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-
Border Control & Trade Development
- Work closely with:
- Veterinary Head of Border Control
- Veterinary Advisor for Border Control Posts
- Shape and deliver policies relating to:
- EU Border Control Posts
- Address:
- GB and international border challenges
- Support the development of new and evolving trade partnerships.
- Work closely with:
-
Collaboration, Culture & Ways of Working
- Promote a strong ‘one team’ culture by:
- Developing collaboration
- Cross-training efforts
- Sharing best practice
- Work with peers and senior leaders to improve:
- Consistency
- Efficiency
- Resilience and value for money across operations
- Promote a strong ‘one team’ culture by:
-
Operational Assurance & Delivery
- Oversee quality assurance of APHA certification work to ensure:
- Accurate and consistent advice to traders
- Co-lead the:
- Border Control Knowledge Forum
- Support aligned delivery of trade activities against:
- Policy expectations
- Performance targets
- Oversee quality assurance of APHA certification work to ensure:
-
Resilience, Biosecurity & Crisis Response
- Keep the business and critical services running even during unusually high workloads and challenges
- Play a key role in disease outbreak responses
- Support wider crisis planning activities
- Influencing Defra prioritisation to balance:
- Trade facilitation
- National biosecurity & animal health protection
-
Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
- Represent CIT and APHA:
- At stakeholder engagements and events
- Build strong external relationships
- Ensure insights and feedback are shared internally:
- To inform decision-making processes
- Represent CIT and APHA:
Requirements
Essential Requirements
✅ Suitability for Executive Board To be eligible for appointment to an Executives Board, candidates will be assessed in relation to:
- Knowledge, skills and experience of:
- Civility in the workplace
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Governance and ethics
- Policies and procedures for appointing Executive staff, including EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity)
✅ Leadership & Decision-Making
- Inspirational and values-led leadership
- Ability to:
- Make decisive decisions
- Support organisational change
- Role-model Civil Service behaviours
✅ Relationship Management
- Outstanding interpersonal skills
- Ability to:
- Build and maintain strong relationships
- Collaborate across teams, delivery partners, and customers
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✅ Performance & Improvement
- Strong performance management capability, including:
- Setting expectations
- Holding meaningful performance conversations
- Coaching others
- Driving continuous improvement
✅ Resource & Organisational Management
- Effective resource management in challenging environments
- Exceptional organisational skills
- Ability to:
- Prioritise workloads
- Ensure consistent service delivery during high pressure periods
✅ Communication & Professional Credibility
- Precise and effective written and verbal communication
- Ability to:
- Act as senior APHA representative in external engagements
- Communicate with confidence across a range of stakeholders
✅ Governance & Quality Assurance
- Ability to:
- Follow auditable systems and processes
- Maintain appropriate quality assurance
- Ensure control and high standards of record keeping
Qualifications Required
🔹 A veterinary degree providing eligibility to practice as either:
- A Member (MRCVS) or,
- A Fellow (FRCVS) of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 🔹 Membership or Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Benefits
The Agency offers a competitive salary combined with rich employee benefits, including:
⭐ Base salary of £56,375 per annum
- Alongside an additional Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme contribution of £16,331 per annum
🌿 Leave entitlement:
- At least 25 days paid annual leave per year
- Increases by 1 extra day per year (up to a maximum of 30 days)
🎓 Learning & Professional Development:
- Extensive range of opportunities, tailored to your role and career
💘 Discounts:
- Travel, retail, and lifestyle discounts available through our employee portal
💰 Salary Sacrifice Schemes (can be used to reduce tax and National Insurance contributions on day-to-day allowances)
�лот️ Additional Bonuses & Rewards:
- Staff bonuses and recognition schemes
- Discount off contract services benefits scheme
🤗 Make it Work for You:
- With a range of flexible options, most staff can find a schedule to suit their needs and personal circumstances
- Three days’ special leave at full pay per year for voluntary work in the community (pro-rata for part time workers)
Find out more about the Veterinary Advisor role here. HR policies apply | Civil Service Code, Dignity at Work & Student Visa Candidates
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