Veterinary Advisor - International Trade team in Crewe

Full time/Part Time/Job Share/Flexible Working Bristol, Cardiff, Carlisle, Carmarthen, Crewe, Exeter, Leicester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Perth, Preston, Winchester, York

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 would 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. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

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 will have the responsibility to lead, manage and advise the International Veterinary Team (IVT) as well as wider CIT and APHA teams in matters related to import and export.

Your Responsibilities Will Include:

• Leadership and team management: Lead and manage the International Veterinary Team, setting clear direction while providing both strategic oversight and day‑to‑day leadership. This includes supporting performance, development, and effective people management to ensure consistent, high‑quality delivery.
• Expert veterinary advice and policy support: Provide authoritative veterinary advice on international trade across IVT, APHA, Defra policy teams, and the Chief Veterinary Officer. Support the development and implementation of trade policy, ensuring advice is practical, evidence‑based, and aligned to organisational priorities.
• Border control and trade development: Work closely with the Veterinary Head of Border Control and Veterinary Advisor for Border Control Posts to shape and deliver policies relating to EU Border Control Posts, address GB and international border challenges, and support new and evolving trade partnerships.
• Collaboration, culture and ways of working: Promote a strong ‘one team’ culture by encouraging collaboration, cross‑training, and the sharing of best practice. Work with peers and senior leaders to improve consistency, efficiency, resilience, and value for money across operations.
• Operational assurance and delivery: Oversee quality assurance of APHA certification work, ensuring accurate and consistent advice is provided to traders. Co‑lead the Border Control Knowledge Forum and support aligned delivery of trade activity against policy and performance expectations.
• Resilience, biosecurity and crisis response: Support business continuity and play a key role in disease outbreak response and wider crisis planning. Influence Defra prioritisation to balance trade facilitation with the protection of national biosecurity and animal health.
• Stakeholder engagement and representation: Represent CIT and APHA at stakeholder events, building strong relationships externally while ensuring insights and feedback are shared internally to inform decision‑making.

Person specification

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills:

• Leadership & Decision‑Making: Inspirational and values‑led leadership with the ability to make decisive decisions, support organisational change, and role‑model Civil Service behaviours.
• Relationship Management: Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships across teams, delivery partners, and customers in a collaborative environment.
• Performance & Improvement: Strong performance management capability, including setting expectations, holding meaningful conversations about performance, coaching others, and driving continuous improvement to meet targets.
• Resource & Organisational Management: Effective resource management, particularly in challenging environments, alongside exceptional organisational skills and the ability to prioritise effectively.
• Communication & Professional Credibility: Sound written and verbal communication skills, with the credibility to represent APHA as required and engage confidently with a range of stakeholders.
• Governance & Quality Assurance: Ability to work within auditable systems and processes, maintaining appropriate levels of quality assurance, control, and high standards of record keeping.

Qualifications & Professional Memberships

Veterinary degree conferring eligibility to practice as a Member or Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

A Member or Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Alongside your salary of £56,375, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £16,331 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Further Benefits Offered Also Include:

• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
• Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
• Three days special leave with pay, per year, for volunteering (pro‑rata for part time employees).
• Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.