PURPOSE OF JOB
The purpose of this position is to lead the AFST Group in the Fisheries Division, managing delivery of statutory responsibilities and R&D contracts across the teams and build the group to deliver growth in the future.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Specifically you will be responsible within the AFST Group for:
Strategy through to delivery
Meeting performance targets for the Group for financial, people, safety, science, commercial and operational issues, to contribute to delivering the agreed annual performance target for the Division.
Financial
Agreeing the annual budget for the Group. Delivering agreed financial targets (sales, income and contribution). In particular, taking timely action to address delivery issues both technical and financial.
Preparing robust and timely forecasts against key performance indicators.
People
Contribute to, and drive positive culture within the Fisheries Division.
Create an inspiring, stimulating and challenging working environment within the Group.
Encourage effective (two way) internal communications and promoting a culture of openness within the Group. Ensuring that every member of staff understands the business direction, objectives and their part in achieving these. To have direct or line management accountability for the management and development of all the staff within the Group.
Work with the Divisional Director, other Group Managers, Team Leaders and Business Managers to ensure effective and efficient deployment of staff within the Group and Division; to progress necessary strategic recruitments, and to ensure effective succession planning.
Quality, Health & Safety, and Environment
To ensure that the group operates to the highest standards of safety and to take line management accountability for health and safety within the Group.
To ensure that quality guidelines (GLP, UKAS, CoP) are adhered to and that the relevant SOPs and quality documentation are completed in a timely manner.
Science
Achieving a balance between delivery and science development to ensure that Cefas’ science reputation is maintained and enhanced. This involves a short, medium and long term strategy in order to ensure that the Group’s science is current for future customer needs and fit for purpose.
Promoting science excellence in the Group to provide science of a suitable quality to meet customer needs.
To work with the local Science Leader to integrate the science within the Group into an overall Cefas science strategy.
Commercial and Business Development
Active new business development in the area of core business for the Group.
Ensuring appropriate sales planning and proposal preparation to achieve annual sales targets.
Exploring networks/contacts in relevant markets, including building positive relationships with key customers, to bring an understanding of how the Group can best add value for its clients.
Ensuring that the Group maintains high levels of customer satisfaction, while meeting (or exceeding) relevant financial targets at a project, Team and Group level.
Ensuring the development of techniques, science and skills appropriate for the Group future markets.
QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS
Academic qualifications and experience required for direct entry into Cefas Pay Band 7 are a minimum of a degree ideally in subjects relating to fisheries science plus substantial relevant work experience. These requirements can be waived for internal candidates.
The successful candidate must meet the following criteria:
Ability to demonstrate having well developed leadership skills with experience of team management.
Well organised with good planning skills (evidence of working under pressure to tight deadlines).
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to demonstate having strong customer focus with experience of tendering for and winning contracts.
Actively drives change to embed Cefas’ vision, purpose and values.
Highly focussed on sound health and safety systems and practices.
A strong science background, preferably relating to fishing discard monitoring and/or a background in fishing gear technology.
It is desirable that the candidate meets the following criteria:
Experienced project manager, Prince 2 practitioner (or equivalent software devolvement methodologies).
Good understanding of Cefas business processes, measures and indicators.
Good understanding of the markets in which FD operates, including customer drivers and competitors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This post is in Cefas Pay Band 7. The salary range is from £40,831 to £50,882 pa. In addition there is the opportunity for all staff to earn a performance related bonus. The salary is paid monthly by credit transfer. If you are already an established civil servant you can obtain further information from your Personnel Division about rules which may provide a more favourable starting salary than is allowed for under the previous paragraph. Other rules will apply if you are serving a fixed term appointment. Part-time working and job share applicants are also welcome.
Should you be appointed Cefas will carry out pre-employment enquiries that may include a Criminal Disclosure check.
The Agency’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners' Principles which can be found at www.civilservicecommissioners.org. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Code and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact HR Services, Cefas, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 OHT in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Agency, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Principles. Please note that all Defra surplus will be given priority shortlisting. Please can you state clearly on the application form.
Closing date for applications is 15/05/2011
Interview date for applications is 28/06/2011
