Farming and Countryside Development, Delivery and Compliance Manager

Animal and Plant Health Agency; Preston; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service Pension

Flexible working options

Annual leave 25+ days

Employee discounts

Volunteer leave

Job summary

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is seeking a Farming and Countryside Delivery Manager (HEO) to drive regulatory improvements working with Defra partners and frontline inspectors. The role focuses on engagement, communication and compliant service delivery within the Delivering Sustainable Future (DSF) programme.

You will lead the Farming, Innovation and Regulatory Services workstream, oversee projects exploring new regulation approaches, and align with the Defra strategy while

Qualifications

• Knowledge of APHA's regulatory delivery and Defra landscape.
• Ability to analyse regulatory systems, identify gaps and propose practical improvements.
• Strong written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to influence and build relationships across organisations.
• Full UK driving licence required for field-based activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects with Defra regulators and farming partners to improve engagement and compliance.
• Support the Defra Joint Service Improvement Plan and share customer insight for service improvements.
• Promote learning initiatives across Defra regulators, including training in interpersonal skills.
• Oversee Eyes and Ears app usage and effectiveness.
• Represent APHA in Regional Field Officer Forums and deliver positive outcomes.

Skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Influencing skills

Regulatory awareness

Driving licence

Tools

Geospatial systems

Job description

Are you passionate about improving services, compliance and outcomes for the farming community?

Are you motivated by leading collaborative change across APHA, Defra and the wider regulatory network?

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

The APHA Farming and Countryside Development, Delivery and Compliance Manager is responsible for identifying and delivering opportunities to improve the regulatory system by working collaboratively with policy teams, other regulators, the farming community and Defra partners. The role focuses on improving engagement, communication and compliance through a joint service improvement approach, while ensuring APHA contributes proactively to regulatory reform and the Delivering Sustainable Future (DSF) transformation programme.

The postholder will lead the development and implementation of Defra Farming Directorate's Farming, Innovation and Regulatory Services workstream, overseeing projects that explore alternative approaches to regulation, compliance and enforcement. The role also involves engaging with frontline inspectors and stakeholders to improve customer experience and operational effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities To Include:

• Leading projects across Defra agencies to improve engagement with farmers and establish best practice in written and verbal communications
• Working closely with the APHA Delivering Sustainable Future programme to gather and utilise customer insight to inform service improvements
• Supporting joint learning and development initiatives across Defra regulators, identifying opportunities for shared training, particularly in generic and interpersonal skills
• Managing and promoting the use of the Eyes and Ears app, identifying opportunities to improve its effectiveness and uptake
• Leading APHA's participation in Regional Field Officer Forum pilots, working with Defra regulators to expand the initiative and deliver positive outcomes
• Contributing to the development and delivery of the Defra Joint Service Improvement Plan, including implementation of data-sharing and geospatial improvement initiatives
• Evaluating current regulatory practices and identify opportunities to strengthen engagement with the farming community and improve compliance outcomes
• Line managing the Farming and Countryside Delivery Manager (HEO)
• Providing management oversight of Regulatory Affairs, Compliance and Enforcement (RACE) team compliance functions and associated teams where required

Person specification

• Knowledge of APHA's Animal Health and Welfare operational delivery and regulatory activities
• Understanding of the wider Defra regulatory landscape and the role of Defra group regulators
• Knowledge of Data Protection legislation and experience of working within data protection and information-sharing requirements
• Awareness of geospatial systems and their application within operational and regulatory delivery
• Ability to analyse regulatory systems, identify gaps, risks and opportunities for improvement, and develop practical solutions to enhance compliance, service delivery and customer outcomes
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders
• Full UK driving licence required to undertake travel in support of field-based activities, operational visits, and attendance at regional and national forums
• 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.
• 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 from retailers such as High street coffee shops, Cinema’s, supermarkets, High street retailers and many, many more.
• Staff bonuses and recognition including appreciate vouchers of up to £200 and larger in year awards of up to £1000,
• Salary sacrifice benefit options and an employee discount scheme such as bike to work, Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) scheme, every £8 they pay in, the government adds £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 a year for each child.
• Discounted gym membership with Fitness First or Pure Gym.
• Special Leave with pay, per year, for volunteering.
• Making it work for you - With so many flexible working options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.

Closing date is 23:55 on Monday 28th September 2026