Livestock Information Limited (LI Ltd.) is a company jointly owned by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Defra. Established in 2019, it was created to deliver the Livestock Information Service, providing world-leading standards of livestock traceability in England, replacing the three current traceability services for cattle, sheep, goats and deer, and pigs.

LI Ltd. is built around a model of collaboration, working in partnership with the government and industry, and because it is a new company, this is an exciting time because our recruits will be part of shaping the organisation. Livestock Information will be data-led, and we will take a ground-breaking approach to unlocking data.  We will demonstrate focus, structure, discipline and ownership. We will be
about inclusivity, teamwork, co-creation; being collegiate and
collaborative. The Livestock Information Service we are building is, for our industry, unique because it’s being co-created, by industry and by government, with critical input from the Traceability Design Users Group (TDUG).

We are currently recruiting for a Product Manager (Veterinary & Technical), Knowledge Based Trading (KBT), either as a fixed term contract or as a secondment opportunity until March 2021. Remote working is available with occasional travel for meetings. The role will work closely with a Delivery Manager also dedicated to the KBT workstream, who will lead on project management, development of the business case and the work plan, managing and reporting activity to agreed milestones, in accordance with the processes and rhythm established for the wider Livestock Information Programme (LIP).

KBT is an important element in the added-value benefits enabled by the new Livestock Information Service, specifically highlighted in the Full Business Case for LIP and in the delivery agreement between Defra and AHDB for LI Ltd. Reduction in the impact of endemic disease is a central part of the AHDB strategy, to improve productivity, improve health and welfare, reduce environmental impact and protect the reputation of the livestock industry.

KBT is intended to provide prospective purchasers of livestock with the information they need to make more informed buying decisions. The approach may be used to support statutory or voluntary disease control or eradication programmes and will complement implementation of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway in England. Initially, the focus is on three important cattle diseases, but over time could evolve to encompass other farmed species and/or include additional attributes which affect livestock value and production potential. This is a unique opportunity to help shape and drive forward this important strategic initiative, which has broad-based support from government and industry. The successful applicant will bring a blend of technical knowledge, professional and interpersonal skills necessary to execute the project, building on existing activity and collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Lead on all veterinary, livestock industry and livestock husbandry aspects of the work
• Co-create with Defra, LI Ltd, TDUG and AHDB colleagues a costed project proposal covering bTB, BVD and Johne’s Disease
• Liaise with key stakeholder groups – BVDFree, Action Johne’s, ScotEID, veterinary bodies, diagnostic labs, existing cattle health schemes etc, to gain their buy-in to an agreed approach and ensure their long-term collaboration
• Work closely with the Delivery Manager and contribute to the development of the project delivery plan, paying particular attention to the identification and management of risks and issues
• Lead on technical aspects of delivery during discovery and design phases
• Provide formal and informal feedback on progress, as required, to TDUG, Defra and AHDB Ownership Groups
• Ensure the final product is fit for purpose from the perspective of effective disease control, to include features likely to lead to real behaviour change by farmers
• Advise on how KBT can progressively be refined and validated, in a process continuous improvement, including overcoming barriers to uptake and approaches which could improve understanding of disease risk and how it can be mitigated

Essential Criteria

• Strong technical and practical knowledge of disease epidemiology and disease control
• Thorough understanding of the theory and practice of KBT, including factors likely to drive success or failure
• Knowledge of the industry and the policy landscape within which KBT must be implemented
• Awareness of the socio-economic and motivational aspects of implementing disease control or eradication programmes
• Demonstrable track record of working with relevant stakeholder groups in the livestock sector
• Credibility to influence and to lead discovery and design sessions with Government policy groups, veterinary professionals, technical experts, commercial parties etc.
• Experience of structured disease control schemes and approaches, nationally and internationally
• Experience of working at the intersection of government policy and industry practice
• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly to diverse audiences, internally, externally and at all levels Vision and leadership
• Political astuteness with good diplomacy and influencing skills
• Ability to think latterly and creatively
• Resilience and determination to succeed, overcome problems and arrive at implementable solutions

Please apply now by clicking the apply button or call 02476 935722 if you require any further information.

The contract base for this role is Head Office and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a significant number of suitable applications.