The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) Job Description Introduction The Food and Environment Research Agency’s over arching purpose is to support and develop a sustainable food chain, a healthy natural environment, and to protect the global community from biological and chemical risks. Our role within that is to provide robust evidence, rigorous analysis and professional advice to Government, international organisations and the private sector. Post details Job title: Research Co-ordinator CSP ref: 4007 Closing date: 13 June 2014 Band: 5 Location: Sand Hutton Status: Permanent This vacancy is within National Bee Unit, which is part of the Fera Inspectorates Programme. Bee Health is a Defra responsibility supported by the National Bee Unit and it’s Fera based Bees Inspectorate. The National Bee Unit (NBU) comprises specialists concerned with all aspects of the husbandry and protection of bees in the UK. This covers: Support to policy groups within the Defra Plant Health Division, Welsh Assembly Government, Department for the Environment, Planning and the Countryside, and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Provision of advice and training for the beekeeping industry. Research and development on matters concerning the health and husbandry of bees. The inspection of colonies for bee diseases and diagnosis of suspect diseased hive samples as well as investigation of poisoning of bees by pesticides. The inspection of colonies for exotic bee pests and diagnosis of suspect hive samples Services for tests of the toxicity of chemicals to bees and involvement in the development of new protocols for testing. Services for the beekeeping industry and appliance manufacturers, e.g. testing potential veterinary medicines. All of the work of NBU staff directly contributes to and builds upon the 5 elements of the Defra and Welsh Government 10-year Healthy Bees Plan policy: To keep pests, diseases and other hazards to the lowest levels achievable; To promote good standards of husbandry to minimise pest and diseases risks and contribute to sustaining honey bee populations – prevention is better than cure; To encourage effective biosecurity to minimise risks from pests, diseases and undesirable species; To ensure that sound science underpins bee health policy and its implementation; and To get everyone to work together on bee health. Organisation Chart Head of National Bee Unit National Bee Inspector Science coordinator Regional Bee Inspectors NBU Office Manager/ BeeBase Co-ordinator Seasonal Bee Inspectors Head of Science (Sustainable Agriculture) Research coordinator Vacancy Laboratory Manager Technical Advisor & Admin support Research Scientists 2 posts Principal Apiarist Administration assistants 2 posts Laboratory Technicians 2 posts Student Interns 2 posts Apiary Technician Student Beekeepers 2 posts PhD Student(s) Purpose of job To provide research, development and advisory expertise to a variety of research projects in support of the National Bee Unit (NBU) activities supporting UK bee health. The post holder will: • Coordinate all laboratory and field activities that underpin the research portfolio of the National Bee Unit: plan, organise, supervise, conduct and interpret field and laboratory research and development studies in support of the statutory and research work conducted by the National Bee Unit. • Manage and deliver existing research contracts and report progress to the Head of the National Bee Unit and the Head of Science. • Prepare concept notes and grant applications to request funding from appropriate calls as they become apparent. • Engage with academic and applied institutes, at national and international levels, to extend NBU science to the benefit of UK bee health. • Transfer knowledge from the R&D programme to a wide range of end users including scientists, beekeepers, policy representatives, industrial partners and Fera colleagues in the form of talks, project reports, grey literature articles and peer-reviewed scientific papers. • Provide impartial and quality advice in support of the Healthy Bees Plan on the key issues in support of the programme objectives including disease control programmes and exotic pest contingencies. • To assist with training for and supervising visiting workers and students. • Act as an effective ambassador for Fera when conducting business with Policy divisions, the public and commercial customers. Benefits of working at The Food and Environment Research Agency The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera) offers an attractive benefits and salary package. This includes a minimum of 25 days leave plus 8 bank holidays an additional day off for the Queen’s Birthday, generous maternity and paternity entitlements, flexible working hours and a pension package. Starting salaries depend on the skills, experience and qualifications that you bring to the post. The following are some of the benefits that our employees enjoy: Competitive salaries. Pension: A choice of a Civil Service defined benefit scheme or stakeholder defined contribution arrangement. 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days with five years service. A further eight days of Bank Holidays and an additional day off for the Queen’s Birthday. Generous maternity and paternity leave Salary sacrifice: childcare vouchers and cycle to work scheme. On-site nursery (Sand Hutton, York site only). Learning and development opportunities. Flexible working practices. Flexible working patterns: Fera encourages flexible working patterns, such as part time, job share, term time working and working from home where appropriate. Subsidised staff restaurant: There is a subsidised staff restaurant serving high quality breakfast, snacks and lunches on the Sand Hutton site. Welfare and Health & Wellbeing service. Subsidised Sports and Social Club, including on site gym (Sand Hutton, York site only). An extensive Information Centre (Sand Hutton, York site only). For more detailed information on the Fera benefits package, please see information pack provided or visit our website. Research Co-ordinator (Band 5), Person specification Shortlist criteria Essential Desirable How assessed Education and qualifications Relevant research or teaching at a high level. Formal project management qualification. Application Form/Interview/References Writing research proposals/grant applications Experience and grounding in apiculture and pollinator ecology, including knowledge of the UK beekeeping industry. Producing grey literature publications e.g. industry journals Working within formal Quality Systems, eg ISO and GLP Application Form/Interview/References PhD in apiculture or related scientific discipline. These include entomology, insect pathology, microbiology molecular biology or pollination ecology. Or A degree in one of the above named disciplines. Candidates without this level of qualifications will need to demonstrate relevant experience. Experience Proven track record in writing project reports and peerreviewed scientific papers. Demonstrable oral communication skills including an experience of presenting information effectively to a wide range of audiences from scientists to lay persons. . Proven ability to manage research projects. Experience of organising, prioritising and meeting of work to tight dead-lines. Experience of supervising Knowledge/key skills Competencies visiting workers and/or students or line management experience. Working in both a team environment and independently. Demonstrable interpersonal skills and aptitude for consultancy and teamworking. Self-motivated and the ability to work unsupervised Flexible approach to working in a busy and often varied work environment Be able interpret the facts accurately, concisely and in a balanced manner. The ability to deal successfully with politically sensitive issues such as disease control and enforcement under the legislation, and to deal diplomatically and tactfully with a wide range of people. Excellent planning and organisational skills. Setting Direction: Seeing the Big Picture and Making Effective Decisions Engaging People: Leading and Communicating and Collaborating and Partnering Delivering results: Delivering An in depth knowledge of bee diseases and their control including exotic bee pests. GIS and spatial analysis skills Knowledge of the application of import risk analysis Statistical analysis of datasets Application Form/Interview/References Application Form/Interview/References at Pace Additional requirements There will be a requirement for occasional short duration work away from the NBU, York for project meetings and conferences. You must hold a valid driving licence or be able to call upon alternative means of transport. Application Form/Interview/References Level 3, Band 5 Competency Profile The Civil service Competency Framework outlines ten competencies which are grouped into three clusters. Below are the three clusters, competencies and some behaviours and skills of particular importance to the role. Cluster Competency How assessed Setting Direction Seeing the Big Picture Be alert to emerging issues and trends which might impact or benefit own and team’s work Develop an understanding of own area’s strategy and how this contributes to Departmental priorities Ensure own area/team activities are aligned to Departmental priorities Actively seek out and share experience to develop understanding and knowledge of own work and of team’s business area Seek to understand how the services, activities and strategies in the area work together to create value for the customer/end user Application Form/Interview Application Form/Interview Making Effective Decisions Make decisions when they are needed, even if they prove difficult or unpopular Identify a range of relevant and credible information sources and recognise the need to collect new data when necessary from internal and external sources Recognise patterns and trends in a wide range of evidence/data and draw key conclusions Explore different options outlining costs, benefits, risks and potential responses to each Recognise scope of own authority for decision making and empower team members to make decisions Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making to help build engagement and present robust recommendations Engaging People Leading and Communicating Take opportunities to regularly communicate and interact with staff, helping to clarify goals and activities and the links between these and Departmental strategy Recognise, respect and reward the contribution and achievements of others Communicate in a succinct, engaging manner and stand ground when needed Communicate using appropriate styles, methods and timing, including digital channels, to maximise understanding and impact Promote the work of the Department and play an active part in supporting the Civil Service values and culture Convey enthusiasm and energy about their work and encourage others to do the same Collaborating and Partnering Establish relationships with a range of stakeholders to support delivery of business outcomes Invest time to generate a common focus and genuine team spirit Actively seek input from a diverse range of people Readily share resources to support higher priority work, showing pragmatism and support for the shared goals of the organisation Deal with conflict in a prompt, calm and constructive manner Encourage collaborative team working within own team and across the Department Delivering Results Delivering at Pace Successfully manage, support and stretch self and team to deliver agreed goals and objectives Show a positive approach in keeping their own and the team’s efforts focused on the goals that really matter Take responsibility for delivering expected outcomes on time and to standard, giving credit to teams and individuals as appropriate Plan ahead but reassess workloads and priorities if situations change or people are facing conflicting demands Regularly monitor own and team’s work against milestones or targets and act promptly to keep work on track and maintain performance Coach and support others to set and achieve challenging goals for themselves Application Form/Interview For full details please refer to the full Civil Service competency framework which can be located at www.fera.defra.gov.uk/careers/ or by contacting the Fera HR Team.