Head of Plant Health Division (IRC304806)

Forest Service – Northern Ireland Civil Service

Office Location – Belfast, Northern Ireland

Closing Date – Friday 13th September 2024

Forest Service is an Executive Agency of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland. The Head of Plant Health Division will provide leadership and direction in protecting the plant health status of Northern Ireland, safeguarding our environment, agriculture and forestry sectors, whilst facilitating trade and economic growth within the context of a changing global and dynamic environment.

The Head of Plant Health Division will work strategically with a wide range of stakeholders and be responsible for developing and implementing all aspects of plant health policy, legislation and regulation for NI.

The successful candidate will make a significant contribution to DAERA’s vision of “Sustainability at the heart of a living, working, active landscape valued by everyone.” At the heart of this vision is offering a great place to work, with engaged people delivering professional services to meet society’s needs.
The post is based at Belfast. A hybrid style of working applies, in the context of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Hybrid Working policy, which blends working in the office, remote locations and at home.

Key Responsibilities

Commanding the confidence of multidisciplinary teams, these include:

• Maintenance of the legislative and knowledge base on plant health policies and legislation; to inform policy development and a common interest in plant health.
• Provision of an effective regulatory framework to promote the protection of plant and plant products from threats posed by damaging pests, diseases and activity.
• Development of effective plant health policies and implementation of Official Controls in compliance with the Windsor Framework to meet UK
and EU legislative frameworks for Sanitary and Phytosanitary requirements.
• Promotion of a risk management approach to plant health regulation based on scientific evidence through horizon scanning and a programme of surveillance and monitoring.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must by the closing date of applications:

1. Have a degree in a relevant science-related discipline (such as plant health, environmental health, environmental science, agriculture, horticulture, forestry, or an equivalent qualification).

AND

2. Have at least 3 years' experience of having discharged senior management* level responsibilities within a medium sized complex organisation** in providing policy advice, development and delivery in a regulatory environmental setting.

AND

3. At least 3 years' experience of having discharged senior management* level responsibilities within a medium sized complex organisation** in the development and implementation of a regulatory framework, and associated controls, in an environmental-related sector.

Salary and Benefits

Salary will be within the range £65,409 - £71,353 within which pay progression will be performance related.

As Head of Plant Health Division within the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) you will enjoy:

• A senior professional leadership role within the plant health sector.
• Career progression opportunities within the Department and wider Northern Ireland Civil Service.
• The NICS Hybrid Working Policy – provides flexible ways of working including a blend of home and office working.
• Generous Annual Leave and Bank Holiday Allowance.
• Attractive Northern Ireland Civil Service Pension (defined benefit career average pension scheme).

For more detailed information and to apply, please go to www.nicsrecruitment.org.uk

Completed application forms must be submitted no later than 12:00 noon (UK time) on Friday 13th September 2024.

Applications from females, young people (people under the age of 35), people with a disability and people from minority ethnic communities are particularly welcomed for this post.

The Northern Ireland Civil Service is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

ALL APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT ARE CONSIDERED STRICTLY ON THE BASIS OF MERIT.

All queries can be directed to HRConnect by:

Email: recruitment@hrconnect.nigov.net
Telephone: 0800 1 300 330