Office Assistant (ID4202)
| Posting date: | 10 December 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £26,025 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Pro-rata salary for job share. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 05 January 2026 |
| Location: | LE12 5RB |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 439223/1 |
Summary
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.
The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.
Proficiency testing (PT) is an integral part of laboratory quality assurance. It forms the basis for continuous monitoring of diagnostic test validity and supports laboratories to achieve and maintain accreditation to ISO 17025. VETQAS is a world leader in veterinary PT covering a wide range of diseases, animal species and tests; it is held in high regard globally. VETQAS sits within the Science Directorate of the APHA, which delivers high quality, high impact, and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. The VETQAS PT programme supports the core work of APHA and Defra to safeguard animal health and welfare and public health, protect the economy and enhance food security, for example in the National Control of Salmonella Programme. It is responsible for the development, production, and supply of PTs under the VETQAS brand to veterinary laboratories worldwide.
You will provide administrative support for delivery of products and services to laboratories worldwide. You will work both independently and as part of a team, to perform a wide range of administrative and customer service duties. You will be a contact point for all incoming enquires and work to improve productivity, efficiency and work processes.
You will provide administrative support and operational expertise to science colleagues, Admin Team, Admin Team Lead (ATL), Business Manager and Head of Department. Proactively manage purchasing, financial and administrative requests and queries.
You will operate as a team member to perform a range of duties including, while not limited to, the following:
Administration and other duties
- Support staff and customers by providing administrative and scientific services.
- Receive and facilitate replies for email and telephone enquiries (most are relevant to customer contracts and shipping administration).
- Preparation of paperwork for shipping biological materials e.g. customs proformas and export/import documents.
- Assisting with the preparation, labelling, packaging and distribution of PT samples.
- Ensure accurate records are kept and updated.
- Monitor and maintain reports and spreadsheets to show customer activity e.g. details of new business, business retention, figures for re-ordering, etc.
Safety & Wellbeing
- Work in accordance with health, safety and wellbeing procedures.
Quality
- Adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures and the relevant ISO standard.
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