Enforcement Officer

Reference number: 390774
Salary: £34,254 – £39,994. London: £38,138 – £39,994 National: £34,254 – £36,142
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time
Location: Birmingham or Teddington

Interested in genetic resources? We have a unique career prospect for you…

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is an exciting place in which to develop
your career. With a focus on keeping people and places safe from product-related harm, and
influencing behaviour that will reduce and ideally eliminate market failures, we believe in
using our regulatory powers to support growth, innovation and efficiency within the UK. As part
of the Department for Business & Trade, our reach is felt across the most diverse array of
sectors, so a career with us is both rewarding and highly varied. Join us as an Apprentice, and
you will witness first-hand just how fulfilling it is to embark on a career path in our
high-achieving organisation.

This is a unique opportunity for an ambitious individual to combine practical hands-on work
with studying for their Level 4 Regulatory Compliance Officer apprenticeship. As a member of
the Access and Benefit Sharing Team (which sits within Product Safety and Regulations) you will
help us implement the Nagoya Protocol. With a focus on upholding the fair sharing of genetic
resources, you will play an instrumental role in the conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity. As such, we are seeking an assured individual who will enjoy driving compliance
in the relevant sectors, and raising awareness of the unique responsibilities of UK businesses.

What this will mean for you is the chance to take the lead in a variety of enforcement
investigations, using the most appropriate administrative, civil and criminal sanctions where
necessary. Justifying your intervention decisions with concrete evidence, you will give
organisations the chance to rectify any emerging situations by providing them with advice and
guidance so that we can promote sustainability and ensure a fair and competitive market. As
such, you will have the opportunity to work not only with businesses, but also with life
science trade bodies and research organisations, so every day will present you with plenty of
variety.

This is a unique opportunity to embed yourself in the regulatory sector by developing
specialist knowledge in your area. With OPSS colleagues, policy sponsors and partner agencies
coming to you for a national enforcement perspective, you will quickly establish yourself as an
expert in your field. To be equal to this challenge, you will therefore have a degree in a
biological science, natural science, ecology or equivalent. Capable of balancing multiple
priorities in a fast-paced environment, you will enjoy coming up with innovative solutions to
complex problems. You will therefore have exceptional analytical skills and you will be able to
adapt quickly to emerging priorities. Ideally you will have a full valid driving licence, or
you will be committed to achieving this within six months. While it would be ideal if you
already have some investigative knowledge gained within a regulation, enforcement or compliance
team, it is more important that you are a team player with well-developed verbal and written
communication skills.

If you would enjoy developing a career in which you can make a tangible impact on how genetic
resources are used, then we are confident you will thrive with us. In turn, we will provide you
with a competitive benefits package that includes access to a Civil Service pension with an
employer contribution of 28.97%. You will also receive plenty of support in which to achieve
your long-term career ambitions. So do something exceptional with your future, and join us in
our vital work.

Closing date: 11:55 pm Sunday 6 April 2025.