Chair & 8 Members of the Veterinary Products Committee (VPC)

The VPC needs to appoint a Chair and eight new members for terms of office from January 2012 to December 2015.

The VPC was established in 1970 under section 4 of the Medicines Act 1968 (the Act). The Act was disapplied to veterinary medicines in 2005 by the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, but the statutory requirement for the VPC was retained.

The main role is to offer advice to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) on behalf of the Secretary of State, in respect of applications for new and renewal Marketing Authorisations (MAs) and Provisional MAs (PMAs), variations to MAs, and Animal Test Certificates (ATCs).

Members of the VPC are independent experts in their particular specialisms.  They contribute by their individual expertise and judgement to the advice given by the VPC to the VMD.

The following positions are avilable;

Chairman – Job Ref PAPPT 123/11, Dermatologist – Job Ref PAPPT 124/11, Environmental Scientist – Job Ref PAPPT 125/11, Medical/Clinical Microbiologist – Job Ref PAPPT 126/11, Neurologist – Job Ref PAPPT 127/11, Statistician (veterinary/biological) – Job Ref PAPPT 128/11, Veterinary Surgeon (fish) – Job Ref PAPPT 129/11, Veterinary Surgeon (mixed practice/small animal clinician) – Job Ref PAPPT 130/11, Virologist – Job Ref PAPPT 131/11

The Chair receives £185 for each meeting attended and an additional £94 for preparation time spent reading the papers prior to the meeting. Members receive £148 and £76 respectively. Travel & Expenses will also be paid.

Defra is committed to improving the diversity of its public bodies and welcomes applications irrespective of race, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age or gender re-assignment.
We particularly welcome interest from under-represented groups, including individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic communities; and disabled people – for whom we offer an interview access scheme.

By Clicking on the following links, you will be able to download a full information pack, application form, guidance notes & monitoring form. Completed papers should be emailed to PublicAppts@defra.gsi.gov.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it quoting the reference number of the position(s) you are applying for.

The closing date for receiving applications is 12 noon, 16 May 2011.

These appointments will be governed by the principle of public appointment based on merit, with independent assessment and transparency of process.