Animal and Plant Health Agency
Veterinary Advisor - International Trade team
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Veterinary Advisor - International Trade team
Veterinary Advisor – International Trade
Full-time/Part-time/Job Share/Flexible Working Locations: Bristol, Cardiff, Carlisle, Carmarthen, Crewe, Exeter, Leicester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Perth, Preston, Winchester, York
Are You Up for the Challenge?
At the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), we thrive on leadership, adaptability, and positive change. If you’re passionate about communication, problem-solving, and working in a dynamic environment—where flexibility and variety are key—this opportunity is for you.
Join a workplace where diversity is celebrated, everyone feels valued, and collaboration drives innovation. We’re dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all.
The Role
We’re seeking an experienced Veterinary Advisor to join our Centre for International Trade (CIT) as part of the International Veterinary Team (IVT). In this vital role, you’ll lead, advise, and influence import/export policy, ensuring global trade alignment with UK animal health and biosecurity priorities.
Key Responsibilities
🔹 Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and manage the International Veterinary Team (IVT), providing strategic direction and day-to-day leadership.
- Develop team members with clear expectations, supporting performance and professional growth.
- Champion high-quality delivery through effective people management and conflict resolution.
🔹 Expertise in International Trade & Policy
- Provide authoritative veterinary advice on trade-related matters to APHA, Defra, and the Senior Veterinary Officer.
- Support policy development and implementation, ensuring evidence-based, practical solutions that align with organisational goals.
- Work with Chief Veterinary Officers and policy teams to optimise trade flows while upholding national biosecurity.
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🔹 Border Control & Trade Strategy
- Collaborate with Border Control leadership on EU and global trade policy, addressing challenges in GB and international markets.
- Shape policies for London LOA Border Control Posts to optimise trade facilitation.
- Build and strengthen new trade partnerships with international bodies.
🔹 Collaboration & Operational Excellence
- Foster a “one team” culture by encouraging cross-training, knowledge-sharing, and best practices.
- Improve efficiency, resilience, and value for money across operations.
- Oversee quality assurance (QA) of APHA certifications, ensuring accurate and trusted advice for traders.
🔹 Crisis & Resilience Leadership
- Support business continuity planning and play a key role in disease outbreak response.
- Influence Defra’s crisis prioritisation, balancing trade facilitation with biosecurity protections.
🔹 Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent APHA at trade events and stakeholder meetings to strengthening external relationships.
- Feed insights back into internal strategy to refine decision-making.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
✔ Leadership & Decision-Making
- Exhibits inspirational, values-driven leadership in fast-paced environments.
- Creates a positive culture, aligning with Civil Service values and change initiatives.
- Assumes accountability in decision-making and crisis scenarios.
✔ Relationship Management
- Thrives in collaborative settings, communicating effectively across teams, partners, and high-status stakeholders (e.g., governmental regulators, biosecurity experts).
✔ Performance & Improvement
- Skilled in performance management, including coaching, feedback, and actively driving progress.
- Consistently meets and exceeds targets while adapting to shifting priorities.
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✔ Resource & Organisational Management
- Prioritises workload effectively, managing resources under pressure.
- Uses strong organisational skills to optimise operations.
✔ Communication & Professional Credibility
- Confident verbal and written communicator who can represent APHA with authority.
- Engages diverse stakeholders (veterinarians, policymakers, industry representatives) with clarity and impact.
✔ Governance & Quality Assurance
- Navigates auditable systems with rigorous record-keeping and compliance standards.
Qualifications & Professional Requirements
- Veterinary qualification qualifying you as a Member or Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS or FCCPS).
- A Member or Fellow of RCVS is mandatory.
Why APHA?
Designed to enhance your career and work-life balance, our benefits include:
- Salary: £56,375
- Pension: Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme, with an employer contribution of £16,331 per annum.
- Leave: 25–30 days paid annual leave (increases by 1 day/year up to 30 max)
- Flexibility & Support:
- Flexible/part-time/Job Share options
- 3 paid days annually for volunteering (pro-rated for part-time)
- Development:
- Customised learning & professional growth opportunities tailored to your role.
- Concessions & Wellbeing:
- Access to travel, retail discounts, and lifestyle perks.
- Salary sacrifice schemes and employee discount benefits.
For more details, visit: Veterinary Advisor – International Trade – Civil Service Jobs
Apply now—your expertise is needed to shape the future of UK trade policy! 🚀🐖🌍
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