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Animal and Plant Health Agency

Administrative Officer (ID4087)

On site

Penrith, United kingdom

Freelance

01-12-2025

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Skills

Research Training

Job Specifications

Penrith

Job Summary

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 3,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.

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.

You will provide support within a busy Regional Veterinary Investigation Centre, acting as key point of contact and local source of knowledge for support issues within the Centre.

You will provide general administrative support within the Veterinary Investigation Centre and across the wider Surveillance and Laboratory Services Department.

You Will Also Be Required To

Work to Agency safety and quality standards.
Provide support and undertake duties on behalf of local Quality and Safety managers.

Job Description

To carry out any duties, but not limited to, the following:

Administrative Support

Providing various office administrative duties to the immediate and when required wider team, including, but not limited to, the production of purchase orders, completion of zoonoses paperwork, booking in of submissions and preparing reports.
Answering telephone queries and following up enquires that cannot be immediately resolved.
Greeting customers at Reception and assisting with enquiries.
Ensuring accurate records are kept and updated accordingly.
Inputting data and information onto APHA data systems.
Ordering stationery, laboratory, and PM room consumables for local use and, when required, for the procurement team.
Take ownership for a set of defined admin procedures, as determined by line management.
Ensure actions are carried out in accordance with the procedures and within the necessary timescales.
Providing support and guidance to others (internally and externally).
To be responsible for the receipt of samples into the centre, including opening of post and booking in samples with assistance from administrative staff as required.

Quality

Work to quality standards (ISO 17025) within the Centre.
Participate in audits and to support the Local Quality Manger.
To assist with local auditing and clearing of actions arising from audits, in liaison with the Local Quality Manager.
To assist with collation of quality information, such as complaints, audits, non-conforming work, proficiency testing results etc., for the Local Quality Manager.

Safety, Health and Wellbeing

To comply with APHA Health, Safety and Welfare policies and procedures.

Outbreak Response

Is flexible to adapt to changing situations within the office and prepared to support other parts of APHA in the event of an outbreak.

Work activities may change depending on the needs of the business which may involve training for additional tasks not detailed on this job description.

To carry out any duties, but not limited to, the following:

Administrative Support

Providing various office administrative duties to the immediate and when required wider team, including, but not limited to, the production of purchase orders, completion of zoonoses paperwork, booking in of submissions and preparing reports.
Answering telephone queries and following up enquires that cannot be immediately resolved.
Greeting customers at Reception and assisting with enquiries.
Ensuring accurate records are kept and updated accordingly.
Inputting data and information onto APHA data systems.
Ordering stationery, laboratory, and PM room consumables for local use and, when required, for the procurement team.
Take ownership for a set of defined admin procedures, as determined by line management.
Ensure actions are carried out in accordance with the procedures and within the necessary timescales.
Providing support and guidance to others (internally and externally).
To be responsible for the receipt of samples into the centre, including opening of post and booking in samples with assistance from administrative staff as required.

Quality

Work to quality standards (ISO 17025) within the Centre.
Participate in audits and to support the Local Quality Manger.
To assist with local auditing and clearing of actions arising from audits, in liaison with the Local Quality Manager.
To assist with collation of quality information, such as complaints, audits, non-conforming work, proficiency testing results etc., for the Local Quality Manager.

Safety, Health and Wellbeing

To comply with APHA Health, Safety and Welfa

About the Company

Our mission is to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy. Why we do it: Informed policy making in UK and EU Enhanced food security Improved agricultural economy Healthier people, plants animals and environment Rapid control of pest and disease outbreaks Reduced risk from new and emerging threats What we do: Engagement with farmers, industry groups and the public Applied expert advice to decision makers Threat surveillance Risk assessment and mitigation Referenc... Know more