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
Location
Bristol, Cardiff, Carlisle, Carmarthen, Crewe, Exeter, Leicester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Perth, Preston, Winchester, York
About the Role
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’d love you to apply!
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, and our goal is to build a diverse workforce. We hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.
Job Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a Veterinary Advisor to join the Centre for International Trade (CIT) team.
As a Veterinary Advisor for International Trade, you will:
- Lead, manage, and advise the International Veterinary Team (IVT), alongside wider CIT and APHA teams, on matters related to import and export.
- Provide authoritative veterinary advice to policy teams, the Chief Veterinary Officer, and stakeholders.
- Shape and implement trade policies, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities.
- Strengthen border control and trade partnerships, addressing challenges at GB and international borders.
- Foster collaboration and a ‘one team’ culture, promoting cross-training and best practices.
- Oversee quality assurance of APHA trade certification, ensuring consistency and accuracy for traders.
- Take a lead role in biosecurity crisis response, supporting business continuity and disease outbreak planning.
- Act as a stakeholder representative, building and maintaining relationships while sharing insights internally.
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Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Team Management
- Set a clear direction, provide strategic oversight and day-to-day leadership for the IVT team.
- Support performance development, coaching, and effective people management for high-quality delivery.
Expert Policy and Advisory Work
- Provide practical, evidence-based veterinary advice across trade disciplines.
- Support the development and execution of trade policy, prioritising national priorities.
Border Control and Trade Development
- Collaborate with Veterinary Head of Border Control and Border Control Posts teams to address GB and international border challenges.
- Drive new trade partnerships and optimise existing trade arrangements.
Collaboration and Culture
- Encourage a unified team culture, sharing best practices across APHA operations.
- Work with senior stakeholders to improve consistency, efficiency, and value for money.
Quality Assurance and Operational Delivery
- Ensure accurate and consistent advice for traders through quality assurance measures.
- Co-lead the Border Control Knowledge Forum and align trade activities with policy targets.
Biosecurity and Resilience
- Support business continuity and play a key role in disease outbreak response.
- Influence Defra prioritisation, balancing trade facilitation with national biosecurity.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent CIT/APHA at external events while sharing insights internally.
Person Specification
To succeed in this role, you must demonstrate:
Leadership & Decision-Making
- Inspirational and values-led leadership, with the ability to make decisive decisions and drive organisational change.
- Role-model Civil Service behaviours.
Relationship Management
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships across internal and external teams.
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Performance & Improvement
- Strong ability in performance management, coaching, and continuous improvement to meet targets.
Resource & Organisational Management
- Effective resource management in complex environments, with exceptional organisational skills and prioritisation.
Communication & Professional Credibility
- Clear, confident written and verbal communication, with the credibility to represent APHA at all levels.
Governance & Quality Assurance
- Ability to work within audit systems, maintaining high standards in quality control and record-keeping.
Qualifications & Professional Requirements
Professional Background
- A veterinary degree conferring eligibility to practice as a Member or Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
- Current registration with the RCVS.
Salary and Benefits
Base Salary
£56,375
Civil Service Pension Contributions
APHA contributes £16,331 towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
Additional Benefits
✔ Paid Annual Leave: 25 days minimum, increasing annually to a maximum of 30 days. ✔ Learning & Development: Tailored training and professional growth opportunities. ✔ Discounts: Extensive retail, travel, and lifestyle discounts. ✔ Recognition & Bonuses: Staff bonuses, salary sacrifice options, and an employee discount scheme. ✔ Volunteering Leave: 3 paid days per year for volunteering (pro-rata for part-time roles). ✔ Flexible Working: Varied scheduling options to suit personal circumstances.
For more information, visit: Veterinary Advisor – International Trade Team Civil Service Jobs
Note: This role reflects APHA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion – we welcome applications from all underrepresented backgrounds.
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