Home Office Liaison Contact and Named Training and Competency Officer

We’re proud to be supporting our client in the search for an experienced Home Office Liaison Contact and Named Training and Competency Officer in Manchester. This is a pivotal role for an animal laboratory professional looking to bring their regulatory expertise, training experience and passion for animal welfare to a high-profile research environment. You’ll play a key role in supporting researchers, shaping training and competency standards, and ensuring the highest levels of regulatory compliance across the Institute. If you’re ready for your next challenge and want your expertise to contribute to research that could make a genuine difference to patients, we’d love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the Institute’s primary Home Office Liaison Contact (HOLC) with the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU), providing advice and guidance on regulatory and licensing requirements under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (A(SP)A).
• Support the Establishment Licence Holder and Named Individuals in meeting the Institute’s legal, regulatory and administrative responsibilities for animal research.
• Provide advice to licence holders on the application, amendment and renewal of Home Office licences, as well as requirements for the import and export of laboratory animals.
• Act as the Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO), overseeing education, training, supervision and competency for staff working with animals, ensuring appropriate ongoing training and continuing professional development.
• Coordinate Home Office modular training for prospective licence holders and maintain oversight of the Institute’s in-house training, competency and CPD programmes, including accurate records and certification.
• Work with Biological Resources Unit (BRU) Facility Managers to establish and maintain local standards for training, supervision, competence and continuing professional development.
• Oversee assessment of licence holders’ adherence to approved procedures and identify requirements for refresher training to ensure competence is maintained.
• Maintain accurate records of establishment and individual licences, training and competency, including the Schedule 1 register, and validate fees payable to the Home Office.
• Provide secretariat support to the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB), including organising meetings, preparing agendas, taking minutes and facilitating Project Licence and retrospective reviews.
• Provide advice to AWERB on matters relating to education, training and competency.
• Coordinate ASPA-related licence holder meetings and contribute to relevant Home Office liaison, training and information forums.
• Collate and coordinate the Institute’s Annual Return of Procedures and other required submissions and reports to the Home Office, including Standard Condition 18 documentation.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of A(SP)A 1986 and associated legislation, guidance and ethical review requirements, ensuring the Institute remains compliant.
• Work collaboratively across the Institute and organisational boundaries, providing a professional, responsive and high-quality service to staff at all levels.

Essential Requirements:

• A relevant degree in biological or biomedical sciences, equivalent experience, or an IAT National Certificate in Animal Technology.
• Current or previous experience as an ASPA Personal Licence Holder.
• Experience as a Home Office licence holder.
• Proven experience of managing a project and/or service.
• Good knowledge of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (A(SP)A).
• Knowledge and understanding of ethical review processes.
• Excellent organisational, administrative and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive records.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex regulatory or technical matters clearly.
• Ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries and build effective working relationships.
• Willingness to undertake relevant travel as required.
• Commitment to equality, fairness and integrity in working with colleagues and stakeholders.