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:
Nematology Delivery Manager
CSP ref:
3956
Closing date:
27 July 2014
Band:
3
Location:
Sand Hutton
Status:
Fixed Term Appointment
3 Years
(with possibility of
extension/permanency)
This vacancy is within the Detection and Surveillance Team of the Plant Protection Programme
The Plant Protection Programme provides multidisciplinary research, diagnosis and advice in support
of plant protection within the UK and overseas. The Diagnosis and Advice team are part of this
Programme providing pest and disease identification services for inspection teams, including the Plant
Health and Seeds Inspectors, and other commercial customers from both the UK and overseas. The
scientific teams work closely together and are supported by a number of centralised facilities: the
Molecular Technology Unit (MTU), glasshouses and business support.
The Plant Protection Programme runs the UK's largest plant pest and disease testing service,
handling in excess of 8,500 plant and seed samples each year from all sectors of the agri-food supply
chain. We have over 80 years’ experience of delivering pest and disease identification and provide
both bespoke and routine high-throughput testing for fungi, bacteria, viruses and invertebrates in
plants, plant products and soil. The team uses a broad range of diagnostic methods, from traditional
culturing and microscopy to the most advanced molecular testing.
The Plant Clinic is at the centre of the commercial diagnostic service provided by the team to growers,
consultants, and overseas governments. At its core are a small number of scientific and customer
support staff, but the clinic draws on diagnostic expertise from across the team to provide the most
comprehensive range of testing services available.
From the smallest samples to large-scale surveys we operated to quality assured standards.
Including: ISO 9001; ISO17025 and International Seeds Testing Association (ISTA).
Organisation Chart
Sub Section of the Detection and Surveillance Team
Purpose of job
The role of Nematology Diagnostician (Delivery Manager) will involve working in the Invertebrate
Team to manage the statutory potato cyst nematode (PCN) contract, delivery of commercial PCN
diagnosis and other nematode diagnosis delivery as required. The post will be in charge of the soil
washroom facilities on a day-to-day basis where nematology samples are processed. The work will
include both biological and PCR-based testing of a wide variety of plant-parasitic nematode species in
support of statutory inspections, surveys, outbreaks, commercial services and R&D projects.
The key purpose of this job will be to ensure delivery of this work through effective work planning and
monitoring of adherence to set procedures, in addition to ‘hands on’ delivery. The post holder will also
be required to liaise directly with both Plant Health and Seed Inspectors (PHSI) and Defra PH policy.
The post holder will:
 Manage the PCN statutory contract and oversee the quarantine washroom facilities.
 Co-ordinate and assist with delivering the day-to-day Nematology diagnostic work.
 Produce written reports of results for customers and offer advice on plant nematode
pathogenicity.
 Provide advice to PHSI and policy regarding PCN.
 Supervise the day to day work of Assistant Diagnosticians and seasonal staff.
 Ensure best practice in the lab and adherence to quality systems (ISO9001 and ISO17025).
 Help to meet target savings through the Continuous Improvement process.
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:
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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.
Nematology Delivery Manager (Band 3), Person specification
Shortlist criteria
Essential
Education and Qualifications
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Experience
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Desirable
How assessed
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Working in a service delivery
environment.
Experience of working with
plant-parasitic nematodes
Experience of molecular
biology (e.g. real-time PCR)
as a diagnostic tool.
Implementation of
continuous improvement
processes.
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Application
Form/Interview/References
Principles of method
validation.
Experience of COSHH and
relevant SOP production.

Application
Form/Interview/References
A degree in a relevant
subject or equivalent
qualification.
Candidates without this level
of qualification will need to
demonstrate relevant
experience.
Staff supervision
Delivery management
Quality systems (ISO 9001
and ISO 17025)
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Knowledge/key skills
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Laboratory experience
Work planning and
organising resources.
Attention to detail.
Clear and accurate written,
oral and interpersonal
communication skills.
Ability to develop strong
working relationships.
Flexible approach to work
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and ability to react to
changing priorities.
Effective decision making
skills, based on evidence.
Capability to work on own
initiative whilst ensuring
colleagues are informed
when necessary.
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Making Effective Decisions
Collaborating and Partnering
Managing a Quality Service
Delivering at Pace
Changing and improving
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Competencies
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Full details on next page.
Application
Form/Interview/References
Level 2, Competency Profile
The Fera Competency Framework outlines ten competencies which are grouped into five clusters. Below are competencies and some
behaviours and skills of particular importance to the role.
Level 2
How assessed
Setting Direction
Making Effective Decisions
 Demonstrate accountability and make unbiased decisions
 Examine complex information and obtain the most accurate information and
get advice when unsure of how to proceed
 Explain clearly, verbally and in writing, how a decision has been reached
 Provide advice and feedback to support others to make accurate decisions
 Monitor the storage of critical data and customer information to support
decision making and conduct regular reviews to ensure it is stored accurately,
confidentially and responsibly
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Application
Form/Interview
Delivering Results
Delivering at Pace
 Create regular reviews of what and who is required to make a project /activity
successful and make ongoing improvements
 Be interested and positive about what they and the team are trying to achieve
 Take ownership of problems in their own area of responsibility
 Remain positive and focused on achieving outcomes despite setbacks
 Check own and team performance against outcomes, make improvement
suggestions or take corrective action when problems are identified
 Set and achieve challenging goals and monitor quality
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Application
Form/Interview
Engaging People
Collaborating and Partnering
 Demonstrate interest in others and develop a range of contacts outside own
team to help get the job done
 Change ways of working to facilitate collaboration for the benefit of the team’s
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Application
Form/Interview
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Delivering Results
Setting Direction
work
Proactively seek information, resources and support from others outside own
immediate team in order to help achieve results
Readily identify opportunities to share knowledge, information and learning
and make progress by working with colleagues
Listen attentively to others and check their understanding by asking questions
Take responsibility for creating a working environment that encourages
equality, diversity and inclusion
Managing a Quality service
 Explain clearly to customers what can be done
 Work with team to set priorities, create clear plans and manage all work to meet
the needs of the customer and the business
 Ensure all levels of service are maintained – flag up risks or concerns in order to
meet customer requirements
 Keep internal teams, customers and delivery partners fully informed of plans and
possibilities
 Promote adherence to relevant policies, procedures, regulations and legislation,
including equality and diversity and health and safety
 Identify common problems or weaknesses in policy or procedures that affect
service ad escalate these
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Application
Form/Interview
Changing and Improving
 Consider and suggest ideas for improvements, sharing this feedback with others
in a constructive manner
 Conduct regular reviews of what and who is required to make a project/activity
successful and make on-going improvements
 Put aside preconceptions and consider new ideas on their own merits
 Help colleagues, customers and corporate partners to understand changes and
why they have been introduced Identify, resolve or escalate the positive and
negative effects that change may have on own role/team
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Application
Form/Interview
For full details please refer to Fera’s full competency framework which can be located at
www.fera.defra.gov.uk/careers/ or by contacting the Fera HR Team.