AMR Senior Policy Advisor

Veterinary Medicines Directorate; Addlestone; On-site; GBP 41,454 - 50,666; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days Annual Leave

Pension Scheme with average employer contribution of 28.97%

Job summary

An Executive Agency of Defra is seeking an AMR Senior Policy Advisor to lead, advise on, and coordinate international and domestic antimicrobial resistance (AMR) policy in animal health. This role includes responsibilities for managing AMR policy content, maintaining collaborative relationships across government, and ensuring compliance with ISO standards. Candidates should have strong communication skills and a proven ability to handle complex concepts in a policymaking environment. The position is located in Addlestone and offers a competitive salary with additional benefits.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable ability to grasp complex concepts quickly in a veterinary/biological context.
• Experience of policy development in a government department or relevant experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support maintaining, promoting, and evolving VMD/Defra AMR policy.
• Manage and produce AMR policy content for briefings and ministerial correspondence.
• Collaborate on Domestic and International AMR policy development.

Skills

Ability to grasp complex concepts

Understanding of policy-making

Excellent communication skills

Engagement and negotiation skills

Time management and prioritization

Leadership on projects

Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Salary: £46,060 + 25 days Annual Leave + Pension Scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%

Location: Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3LS

The closing date for applications is 30 March 2026.

Client Job reference: 441108

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and is responsible for ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of veterinary medicines in the UK.

We have a vacancy for an AMR Senior Policy Advisor.

This job puts you at the heart of the VMD’s AMR team as we deliver Defra’s commitments in the UK’s 5 year action plan for antimicrobial resistance, which supports the UK’s 20-year vision for AMR. You will be responsible for leading, advising on, and coordinating international and domestic AMR policy in animal health.

Job Description

Support on maintaining, promoting, and evolving the VMD/Defra AMR policy position - working collaboratively across Defra and with the devolved administrations.

Oversee, manage and produce high quality AMR policy content for written and oral briefings, submissions, parliamentary questions and ministerial correspondence.

Work across the VMD, Defra and wider government to ensure a coordinated, One Health approach to the development and delivery of Domestic and International AMR policy.

Maintain and update an international engagement plan and support delivery of international AMR priorities through bilateral and multilateral engagements, including supporting the UK's Chief Veterinary Officer in her role on the AMR Multi‑stakeholder Partnership Platform.

Represent the AMR team at international and domestic meetings, conferences and events. This includes convening and attending key stakeholder meetings.

Ensure join up with VMD's international capacity building activities and the UK's FAO Reference Centre.

Oversee development and delivery of AMR communication activities.

Complying with ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 27001 (information security) standards, and GDPR and Information Management requirements. Act corporatively – meeting, role‑modelling, embedding, and championing the corporate objectives set by the VMD.

We’re looking for someone that has

• Demonstrable ability to grasp complex concepts quickly, particularly within a veterinary/biological context, and apply them within a policy context.
• An understanding of policy-making in a political environment, for example through experience of policy development in a government department or other relevant experience.
• Excellent communication skills - both written and oral.
• Ability to engage, influence and negotiate with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience of working within a fast paced work area where excellent time management and prioritisation have been important for doing the job effectively.
• A self starter who has the ability to lead on projects, apply critical thinking and sound judgement, working both independently and collaboratively.
• Is proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365 packages, particularly Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and can learn in‑house packages quickly.

How to Apply

If you're interested in applying for this position, we would love to hear from you! Please submit your application via the Civil Service Jobs website where you will find a full job description including salary details.

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is an Equal Opportunity employer.

No Recruitment Agency, Newspaper or Publication calls please.