Job Description

Job title: / Animal Research Liaison Officer
Department/School: / Faculty of Science
Grade: / 7 (0.5FTE)
Location:
Job purpose
This multi-task post provides support for legal and administrative requirements associated with animal research at the University of Bath. The post includes acting as the University’s Home Office Liaison Contact (HOLC) and as the University co-ordinator for the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA) and Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB).
The HOLC provides the link between the Home Office Inspector and the animal users.
The ASPA and AWERB co-ordinator provides administrative support and disseminates information on all aspects of legislation, ethics and managerial matters associated with animal use for research and teaching.
Source and nature of management provided
The administrative manager will be the Dean of the Faculty of Science.
Legal aspects of the post will require reporting to the (ASPA) Establishment Licence holder.
Staff management responsibility
There will be no staff or posts reporting directly to this post.
Career and Professional Development Activities
There is no formal career development structure for this post: development will take place on an informal basis as and when additional tasks arise which are considered relevant to the post.
Attendance at specific conferences, training days and annual meetings.
From time to time you may be asked to assist in the facilitation of CPD activities. This will form part of your substantive role and you will not receive additional payment for these activities.
Special conditions
One important feature of this post is to provide a rapid response to requests and issues raised by all staff and students involved in animal research.
Main duties and responsibilities
1 / Provide administrative support for the Biosciences Services Unit Management Committee, which meets four times a year, including one joint meeting with AWERB
2 / Provide administrative support for the Animal Users’ Committee, which meets three times a year
3 / Provide administrative support for the BSU Operational Group, which meets monthly
4 / Administration of the Annual Returns of animal numbers to the Home Office, annually in January
5 / Administration of the Personal Licence holder list for Home Office charges, annually in March
6 / Preparation of Personal Licence applications to the Home Office for M. Pharmacology undergraduates, annually in November
7 / Attendance at the annual HOLC meeting, and deputising for the Establishment Licence Holder at the Establishment Licence Holders’ Forum when required
8 / Collation of Annual Ethics Reports on Project Licences, and preparation of report for the University Ethics Committee
9 / Maintenance of register of non-regulated animal use, and preparation of annual report for the University Ethics Committee
10 / Administration for Project Licence applications and amendments to the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB)
11 / Aiding staff with writing Project Licence applications
12 / Checking and processing new Project Licence applications and amendments prior to submission to the Home Office
13 / Checking and processing new Personal Licence applications and amendments prior to submission to the Home Office
14 / Maintenance of Project and Personal Licence records
15 / Dissemination of information from the Home Office, NC3Rs and UAR to all animal users
16 / Answering and acting upon any queries from Project and Personal Licensees, Committee Chairpersons and the Establishment Licence holder
17 / Development and maintenance of the Animal Users’ Website
18 / Act as (one of two) Named Training and Competency Officers (a legally required post)
19 / Act as first contact for information on the implementation of the new EU legislation for animal research, from January 2013
20 / Undertake training and act as (one) contact for the new Home Office
e-licensing system
21 / Assist in preparation of responses and data preparation for Freedom of Information requests
22 / As part of a team, research into ways to increase use of the BSU
You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature as reasonably required by your line manager.

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Appendix B

Person Specification

Criteria / Essential / Desirable / Assessed by
A/F / I/T / R
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a biomedical science / x / x
PhD in a biomedical science / x / x
Experience/Knowledge
Extensive experience in practical animal research, to include having been a Personal Licence holder / x / x / x
Have held a Project Licence / x / x / x
Extensive knowledge of UK and EU law pertaining to animal use in research and teaching / x / x / x
Skills
Working use of computer programmes including Word, Excel and Home Office e-licensing system / x / x / x
Good organisational skills / x / x / x
Attributes
Ability to work with staff and students at all levels / x / x / x
Ability to think quickly, and respond rapidly to questions and issues / x / x / x

Code: A/F – Application form, I/T – Interview/Test, R – References

Human Resources Page 3 06/01/2014