BRF Standards & Licensing Manager…

BRF Standards and Licensing Manager
This is a full-time, fixed term (12 months) maternity cover position on Crick terms and conditions of employment (secondments will be considered for internal applicants).

Summary
The position of BRF Standards & Licensing Manager will direct the administration of the licensing framework under which the Institute undertakes research using animals protected by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 amended 2012 (ASPA). The post holder will provide professional support services to the institute, with particular focus on Group Leaders and the whole of the Biological Research Facility (BRF) and its users. There will be particular emphasis on coordination, programme management and drafting and reviewing Project Licence application for the Home Office according to standards ensuring timely and successful application, as well as implementing and managing statutory and local review processes for these licences, ensuring compliance with all aspects of ASPA. They will act as the Home Office Liaison Contact with the Home Office Inspectorate to initiate and facilitate a dialogue between inspectors, BRF and its users to achieve great science with the highest standards of animal welfare, applying best practice, and ensure compliance.

Key responsibilities
These include but are not limited to:

Providing a central point of contact for the Director of BRF, Establishment Licence Holder (PELh), all Named Persons and Project Licence holders (PPLh) and Personal Licence holders (PILh) to liaise with the Home Office Inspectorate and ASRU (Animals in Science Regulation Unit) Administration staff.
Assisting Group Leaders with the structure and drafting of their PPL and PPL amendments, to ensure high standards and compliance with ASPA, interpreting legal requirements into practical solutions for the Crick.
Administration of Project Licence applications and amendments including AWERB review of all applications.
Management of Retrospective reviews, retrospective assessments and reports on Project Licences.
Management of timelines to ensure deadlines are met for renewing project licences to enable continuation of research programmes.
Management of standard condition 18 reports, including communication between PPLh, NVS and the HO, timely submissions and administration of outcome reports
Implementation of new practices related to HO changes (Bridging ways of working and beyond) including communication with Named Persons, licence holders and BRF staff; review of documentation and relevant updates; management of audit readiness preparatory steps
Providing guidance and assistance with:
Use of Home Office Electronic Licensing systems (ASPEL)
Collation of annual returns of procedures to the Home Office
Producing reports showing trends in Crick animal use to NIO, Director of BRF and BRF–SOC
Notifications to the Home Office
Working with the BRF senior team and Unit Managers/NACWOs in disseminating licence authorities, establishing and reviewing robust (but not onerous) processes to ensure science delivery, welfare standards, best practice and compliance.
Developing and implementing local processes and practices for BRF governance mechanisms and the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Processes and committees that function at the Institute.
Regularly reviewing and updating policies, SOPs and other processes in line with changes at a regulatory level to ensure legal compliance of the Institute.
Working with the Inspectorate and other Home Office staff, including attendance on any relevant meetings and workshops as required.
Appraising current licence authorities and comparing protocols and techniques across different science disciplines to gain and maintain local consistency
Devising standard local protocols and procedures to meet the needs of the science
Management of the Schedule of Premises within the Establishment Licence
Management of relevant records and databases and keeping them properly updated.
Ensuring consistency in approach in animal care and welfare matters, including assistance to NVS and other Named Persons in producing local guidance documents.
Management and provision of secretariat functions to the Crick’s AWERB committees as required
Presenting results and reports at national meetings
Key experience and competencies
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values:

Bold; Open; Collegial in addition to the following:

Essential

Qualifications, experience and competencies

Minimum Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or related subject or equivalent with experience in support roles
Knowledge of the UK’s legal framework concerning animals used for scientific purposes and experience with the Project licensing process.
Successful completion of Home Office Training, Modules L and E1
Direct experience of working within a laboratory animal environment or within a science function, or with direct biomedical research experience
An interest in and sound knowledge of basic medical research
Excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal and presentation skills to demonstrate effective collaboration to create and develop links to enhance work output
A willingness to develop knowledge and understanding of the specific research programmes at the Crick; overall knowledge of the Crick, its objectives, policies, practices and aims
Ability to organise and prioritise their own workload under minimum supervision but as part of the team to meet defined and conflicting deadlines, fluctuations in function and resource availability within the BRF to deliver the standards required
Ability to generate and maintain accurate records with an ability to analyse ambiguous data and concepts rigorously
Good computer literacy skills, willingness to learn new software to apply their use in everyday work
Capability to write complex and comprehensive reports.
Desirable

Qualifications, experience and competencies

Successful completion of Home Office Training, Modules E2 and PPL
Understands science aims and needs both internally and externally to ensure high impact and influence.
Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:

For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/pay-and-benefits

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.

Read more on our website: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/equality-diversity-and-inclusion