Product Owner

Job summary

Do you enjoy shaping digital products and services that support international trade and deliver lasting impact across government and industry?

Can you build strong partnerships with policy, technical and external stakeholders to drive innovative solutions and improve ways of working?

If so, we would love to hear from you!The Animal and Plant Health Agency (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.

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Product Owner to join our Project Delivery and Portfolio Management team.

You will be working with a number of internal and external stakeholders including industry bodies, non-government organisations and other key delivery bodies. Your involvement today will contribute to policy, projects, and initiatives that will continue for years to come!

The role involves a wide range of work including, but not limited to, the following:

• Maintaining and building effective relationships with policy customer groups with an involvement in the EU-NI Borders and Trade programme
• Working closely with the Digital Programme Manager and Senior Product Manager and Subject Matter Experts within the programme and sharing responsibilities in the development of new ways of working
• Helping safeguard GB's reputation by supporting activity across work areas impacted by the Animals and Plants International Trade Platforms
• Supporting the design, development and implementation of policy initiatives and reforms, by undertaking an active role on project teams and working groups
• Working with the established team to support the development of new and fit for purpose Animal and Plants IT systems and processes that facilitate trade and satisfy the needs of importing countries and traders based in the UK
• Directly supporting the Digital Programme Manager and Senior Product Manager through managing their own responsibilities and workload efficiently to help facilitate and deliver changing priorities and demands
• Deputising for the Senior Product Manager in a holistic and effective capacity, where applicable

Person specification

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Experience of leading development of operational change, project, or IT programmes
• Experience of gathering, analysing and translating business requirements into clear product priorities and deliverable outcomes
• Ability to provide a quality service to customers and responding to changing demands and priorities
• Ability to manage performance targets and results across multiple work areas
• Experience of working with stakeholders and delivery partners
• Experience of delivering results across multiple work areas
• Experience of working within agile or digital delivery environments, managing priorities and supporting continuous improvement

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Leadership

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,052, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £12,761 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Further benefits offered also include:

• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.

• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.

• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.

• Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
• Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.

These are just a few of our benefits we offer. To find out the full range of what we offer refer to the Information Pack attached for more detail.

Learning and Development

Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.

In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Stage 1

Application Process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• A CV submitted through an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite; there is no requirement to upload your personal CV.

• A 750-word Personal Statement.

• A Behaviour statement of 250-words for the lead Behaviour, Leadership, following the Behaviour criteria outlined in the Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK framework for the grade of the role.

CV Guidance

Your CV should consist of your career history, including any key achievements and your main responsibilities in each role and be no longer than 2 pages. Your CV will be used to provide further context on your Personal Statement but will not be scored. The CV will not be scored but can be used to support your application.

Personal Statement Guidance

When completing your Personal Statement, please read and understand the Person Specification thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Please ensure you evidence the k