Animal and Plant Health Agency
Veterinary Advisor - International Trade team
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Veterinary Advisor - International Trade team
Veterinary Advisor – International Trade Team
Employment Type
Full-time | Part-time | Job share | Flexible working
Locations
Bristol, Cardiff, Carlisle, Carmarthen, Crewe, Exeter, Leicester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Perth, Preston, Winchester, York
About the Role – Why This Matters
If you thrive in a challenging and dynamic environment and enjoy leading change, applying your communication and problem-solving skills, this role offers the variety, flexibility, and impact you seek.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is a forward-thinking employer where staff are valued for their autenticity, diversity, and expertise. We champion inclusivity, equitable opportunities, and a diverse workforce to drive innovation and excellence.
We are seeking a Veterinary Advisor to join the Centre for International Trade (CIT) team, where decisive leadership and expert veterinary guidance are vital to safeguarding UK animal health and trade.
Core Responsibilities
1. Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and manage the International Veterinary Team (IVT) and collaborate with wider CIT and APHA teams on import/export matters
- Set strategic direction, support performance development, and ensure high-quality output through consistent people management
2. Veterinary Advice & Policy Development
- Provide authoritative veterinary advice to IVT, Defra policy teams, and the Chief Veterinary Officer
- Shape international trade policy ensuring alignment with deliverables, evidence-based solutions, and organisational priorities
3. Border Control & Trade Partnership
- Work with the Head of Border Control and Border Control Advisors to address UK and international border challenges
- Develop policies to optimise EU Border Control Posts and foster new trade partnerships
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4. Cultural & Operational Excellence
- Foster a ‘one team’ culture, enabling cross-training and best-practice sharing
- Drive cross-team efficiency, resilience, and value for money through collaboration
5. Operational Assurance & Quality
- Ensure accurate, consistent certification advice for traders
- Co-lead Border Control Knowledge Forum and monitor compliance against policy and performance targets
6. Biosecurity & Crisis Response
- Support business continuity and actively contribute to outbreak response plans
- Balance trade facilitation with national animal health and biosecurity imperatives, influencing Defra priorities
7. Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent CIT and APHA externally, building relationships with key stakeholders
- Ensure feedback informs internal decision-making and drives collective direction
Person Specification
Key Qualities & Competencies
Leadership & Decision-Making
- Demonstrates inspirational, values-driven leadership with a track record of change and behavioural influence
- Practices Civil Service values and role-models effective decision-making
Relationship Management
- Exceptional interpersonal and collaborative skills to build relationships across teams, partners, and customers
Performance & Improvement
- Proven ability to coach, mentor, and drive continuous improvement to meet targets
- Strong performance management skills, including expectations-setting and feedback conversations
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Resource & Organisational Management
- Skilled in high-pressure resource allocation and maintaining effective priorities amidst complexity
Communication & Professional Credibility
- Clear, impactful writing and verbal presentation skills to represent APHA with confidence
- Credible engagement across internal and external stakeholders
Governance & Quality Assurance
- Experience working with auditable systems, maintaining high-quality documentation and controls
Qualifications & Memberships
- Veterinary degree conferring eligibility for Membership (MRCVS) or Fellowship (FRCVS) of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Why Join APHA?
Salary: £56,375 (approximately £72,706 total employment cost, including pension support of £16,331).
Benefits Highlights
- Pension support through the Civil Service Defined Benefit Scheme
- Paid annual leave: minimum 25 days, increasing to 30 days after 6 years of service
- Learning opportunities tailored to career growth
- Staff discounts for travel, retail, and leisure
- Volunteering leave: 3 paid days per year for volunteering (pro-rata for part-time)
- Work-life flexibility: options to shape a discussion based work schedule
All applications welcome. To apply for this role, visit Civil Service Jobs - UK Government Vacancies
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