Animal and Plant Health Agency
Veterinary Advisor - International Trade team
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Veterinary Advisor - International Trade team
Veterinary Advisor (International Trade) Opportunities
Employment Types & Locations
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
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 offers variety and flexibility?
If so, we’d love for you to apply!
At The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), we foster a brilliant working environment, where colleagues feel valued, have a voice, and can be their authentic selves. We embrace diversity and inclusion as these principles drive innovation and better decision-making.
We are a dedicated inclusive employer, committed to providing equitable opportunities for all. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, welcoming applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.
Job Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a Veterinary Advisor to join our Centre for International Trade (CIT) team.
As a Veterinary Advisor for International Trade, you’ll lead, advise, and manage:
- The International Veterinary Team (IVT)
- Wider CIT and APHA teams
- Import and export matters
Core Responsibilities
-
Leadership & Team Management:
- Lead and manage the International Veterinary Team, setting a clear direction while providing both strategic oversight and day-to-day leadership
- Support performance, development, and people management to ensure high-quality, consistent delivery
-
Expert Veterinary Advice & Policy Support:
- Provide authoritative veterinary advice across IVT, APHA, Defra policy teams, and the Chief Veterinary Officer
- Support trade policy development and implementation with practical, evidence-based, aligned solutions
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-
Border Control & Trade Development:
- Collaborate with the Veterinary Head of Border Control and the Veterinary Advisor for Border Control Posts to:
- Shape and deliver policies for EU Border Control Posts
- Address GB and international border challenges
- Strengthen new and evolving trade partnerships
- Collaborate with the Veterinary Head of Border Control and the Veterinary Advisor for Border Control Posts to:
-
Collaboration & Culture:
- Promote a strong “one team” culture by:
- Encouraging cross-training
- Sharing best practices
- Work with peers and senior leaders to improve:
- Consistency
- Efficiency
- Resilience
- Value for money
- Promote a strong “one team” culture by:
-
Operational Assurance & Delivery:
- Oversee quality assurance of APHA certification work
- Ensure accurate, consistent advice is provided to traders
- Co-lead the Border Control Knowledge Forum
- Support trade activity delivery against policy and performance expectations
-
Resilience, Biosecurity & Crisis Response:
- Support business continuity
- Play a key role in disease outbreak response and crisis planning
- Influence Defra’s prioritisation to balance trade facilitation and national biosecurity/animal health protection
-
Stakeholder Engagement:
- Represent CIT and APHA at external stakeholder events
- Build strong relationships while sharing insights internally to inform decision-making
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional skills in:
-
Leadership & Decision-Making:
- Inspirational, values-led leadership
- Ability to make decisive choices
- Supporting organisational change and modelling Civil Service behaviours
-
Relationship Management:
- Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships across:
- Colleagues
- Delivery partners
- External customers
- Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships across:
-
Performance & Improvement:
- Expertise in performance management, including:
- Setting clear expectations
- Conducting meaningful performance conversations
- Coaching others
- Driving continuous improvement toward targets
- Expertise in performance management, including:
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-
Resource & Organisational Management:
- Effective resource management, especially in challenging environments
- Exceptional organisational skills and prioritisation ability
-
Communication & Professional Credibility:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Capability to represent APHA confidently and engage with:
- Regulators
- Industry stakeholders -trade representatives
-
Governance & Quality Assurance:
- Proficiency in auditable systems and processes
- Commitment to high-quality record-keeping
- Strong adherence to quality control standards
Qualifications & Competencies
- Education: Veterinary degree conferring Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) membership (MRCVS) or fellowship (FRCVS) eligibility
- Professional Status: Must be a Member or Fellow of the RCVS
Benefits
- Competitive Salary: £56,375 per annum, plus an APHA contribution of £16,331 to the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension
- Annual Leave: A minimum of 25 days per year (increasing by 1 day annually up to a maximum of 30 days)
- Learning & Development: Access to tailored professional development opportunities
- Employee Discounts: A range of retail, travel, and lifestyle discounts
- Staff Recognition: Bonuses, staff awards, and salary sacrifice benefits
- Volunteering: 3 days paid special leave per year for volunteering work (prorated for part-time staff)
- Flexible Working: Extensive working flexibility options to acc accommodated
Find out more and apply: Veterinary Advisor - International Trade team - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK
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