Plant Varieties & Seeds Group and Genetic Modification Inspectorate Lead ID:1954

Demonstrate and role model high calibre leadership, championing best practice in workforce planning, building capability, talent management and diversity and equality. Whilst also developing the team's technical expertise.
To provide advice to policy development, central projects, and activities to represent operational experience and expertise.
To ensure the performance, behaviours and attendance of assigned teams is proactively managed, reviewing performance on a regular basis and establishing an environment in which everyone can, and does, contribute effectively and that different perspectives are heard and channelled towards achieving the Agency's objectives.
Role model and promote proactive leadership, embedding the necessary performance improvements and culture change across teams to ensure that all staff operate to the required policies and procedures, H&S standards and quality assurance levels.
Work closely with the Head of Plant and Bee Health and the Chief Plant Health & Seeds inspector to set delivery strategy and direction for the team and ensure all customer targets are met.
Working with Defra and Devolved Administration to develop PVS and GM legislation.
Meet and liaise with key partner organisations including the British Society of Plant Breeds, Agricultural Industries Federation, National Institute of Agricultural Botany, National Farmers Union regulations and developing legislation.
Lead GM and PVS related incident response roles as appropriate.
Lead APHA's Plant health certification activities.
Maintain and develop the team's quality standards.
Seek out and develop areas identified for potential change, driving efficiency and consistency where possible.
Play active role in the senior management team of Plant & Bee Health including providing cross cutting APHA G7 support and deputisation as required.
Play a leading role in the design, development and implementation of business reforms and policy initiatives, undertaking a key role in project teams and cultural change.

Have good technical knowledge of UK and EU legislation relating to Plant Variety and Genetic Modification activities.
Have an understanding of domestic and international plant certification and marketing, plus expertise in the regulations around the marketing and licencing of Genetically modified organisms.
A background in Plant health and Horticultural marketing regulations would be desirable.
Knowledge of wider Plant health.
Excellent communication skills both written and oral.
Experience of project, staff and financial management.
Evidence of reviewing and presenting complex information under short deadlines.
Experience on implementing Continuous Improvement principles.
Experience of working with key stakeholders and policy customers.
Job holder must be prepared to travel to be with PVS colleagues who are principally Cambridge based and to York where APHA's GMI is located.
Frequent travel may be required to other locations including possibly overseas.
A valid full driving licence (manual, or automatic) and independent access to a car is necessary.
Other corporate duties linked to wider APHA strategy may also be required as necessary in response to outbreak management or other corporate activities to deliver APHA or Service Delivery priorities.