Scientific and Policy Officer – Poultry (3182) in London

The role requires travel to London on an adhoc basis for meetings. You will be required to travel to sites and farms for visits, so a full UK Driving License is required for this role. As a Scientific Officer, you'll have a specific focus on poultry and will assist the continued development of the RSPCA's welfare standards for these species, used within the Society's farm assurance scheme (RSPCA Assured) and beyond. The post entails a general advisory, advocacy and communication role regarding welfare issues for the species concerned.

The RSPCA's Farm Animals Department is responsible for promoting by all practical means the highest standards in farm animal welfare. This includes improving attitudes towards animals, strengthening the laws in relation to farm animals, improving their implementation, developing the RSPCA welfare standards for specific species and progressing the Department's work on Welfare Outcome Assessment.

We're looking for a Scientific and Policy Officer with a proven commitment to animal welfare, who is an analytical thinker with the ability to work independently.

Role Purpose

The role supports the work of the Farm Animals Department through the gathering, analysis and dissemination of scientific and technical information in relation to both the species and the specific work areas within the post holder's remit. The role assists the development of Society policy and strategy for specific areas of the Society's farm animal welfare work within the post holder's remit, advising on this throughout the RSPCA, and contributing to the promotion and implementation of policy externally.

The role assists the Department objective – to promote by all practical means the highest standards in farm animal welfare, including contributing to:

• Improving attitudes towards animals;
• Strengthening the laws in relation to farm animals and improving their implementation;
• Developing the RSPCA welfare standards for specific species;
• Progressing the Department's work on Welfare Assessment.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Provide, following in-depth research and/or in liaison with other members of the Department when appropriate, authoritative scientific information, advice and support on farm animal matters within the post holder's remit, internally within the Society, including input into the provision of:

• Documents, briefings, press releases and reports.
• Information and advisory materials for RSPCA Council and relevant sub-committees, including the External Relations Strategic Animal Welfare Committee.
• Technical advice and support for RSPCA Assured in relation to implementation of the RSPCA welfare standards and Welfare Assessment.
• Technical advice and support for the Inspectorate.

1. Prepare and/or deliver, following in-depth research and/or in liaison with other members of the Department when appropriate:

• Welfare standards-focused advisory meetings.
• Training programmes for RSPCA Farm Livestock Officers and RSPCA Assured Assessors.
• Training for RSPCA Inspectorate.

1. Develop, in conjunction with other members of the Department, welfare standards for species/issues within the post holder's remit with input from species-specific Standards Technical Advisory Groups and other external experts, including the development and integration of Welfare Assessments.

1. Represent the Society's policies and recommendations on farm animal welfare where appropriate, particularly those within the post holder's specialist areas, for example:

• At relevant external Governmental and non-Governmental meetings, including technical committees and working groups to encourage and secure adoption of improved policies and practices on farm animal welfare (in line with RSPCA standards and policies) into the committees' terms of reference, activities, work plans and recommendations.
• In press, radio and television interviews.
• Respond to letters, telephone calls and web enquiries relating to the scientific, technical and practical work of the Farm Animals Department in relation to issues within the post holder's remit.

1. Facilitate the initiation and coordination of research projects including farm trials, participate in technical steering groups for research projects where appropriate, and report on developments important to animal welfare.

1. Help to extend the Society's sphere of influence within organisations and bodies whose work involves the use of, or impacts on the welfare of, farm animals, including:

• Responding directly, and when appropriate collaborate with other members of the Department to prepare responses, to proposed EU directives, domestic UK legislation, the work of parliamentary select committees, Government and Government agency reports and other governmental and NGO working groups on issues within the post holder's remit.
• Providing scientific/technical advice, e.g. to organisations and individuals within the food and farming industries, including retailers, producers, RSPCA Assured, and journalists.
• On issues within the post holder's remit, providing scientific/technical information and advice on farm animal welfare issues to Governmental and non-Governmental bodies, including Defra and the Farm Animal Welfare Committee, either in response to specific requests, or proactively.
• Raising awareness and understanding of relevant farm animal welfare issues within the farming community.
• Helping to encourage the development of improved welfare systems, including the facilitation of the interpretation and implementation of RSPCA welfare standards for farm animals.
• Participating in and/or giving papers at scientific conferences and meetings relevant to the Society's sphere of interest.
• Delivering presentations on the work of the Farm Animals Department and farm animal welfare in general to agricultural colleges, RSPCA Branch and regional meetings, farming industry groups and others.

1. Co-operating on – and overseeing when appropriate – farm animal welfare projects and initiatives, including facilitating information exchange and joint initiatives with other animal protection organisations in the UK and overseas, taking responsibility for specific projects and project teams as necessary. Projects may include elements of research, advocacy and raising public awareness, and may involve collaboration with other Departments within the Society.

What will help you succeed in this role:

• A Masters degree in a relevant scientific subject (animal/agriculture/welfare science) or a bachelor's degree plus relevant equivalent experience.
• Good level of animal production and welfare knowledge (particularly poultry).
• Experience of preparing and delivering (verbally and written) presentations/reports to varied audiences.
• Well-developed analytical skills combined with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific information to a broad range of audiences.
• Excellent attention to detail.

Successful candidates for certain RSPCA roles will need to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

• Professional development
• 35 hour working week (full time)
• 25 days holiday
• Family friendly policies
• Pension scheme
• Healthcare cash plan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Occupational sick pay
• Life assurance
• Dog friendly policies
• Cycle to work scheme
• Discount schemes

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK – We are unable to sponsor visas at RSPCA.