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Job description

The AFBI Estate Management and Development Branch (EMDB) is managed under AFBI Finance and Corporate Services Division and, is responsible for delivering estate and property management services across the AFBI estate of approximately 300 buildings and related business continuity/emergency planning capability for the Institute. Please see employer website for full job details & person specification.

Responsibilities

• Facilities Management, including: Managing annual Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) and associated remedial works;
• Identifying and addressing defects / reactive maintenance and associated remedial works;
• Regular use of the NICS Asset Management and Property Services (AMPS) system;
• Overseeing fire safety precautions, including ensuring NICS Fire Safety Manual requirements are adhered to and recommendations from Fire Risk Assessments are effectively delivered;
• Maintenance and management of specialist equipment, for example, laboratory gas systems;
• Supporting Statutory Engineering Inspections;
• Management of Asbestos and Radon etc.
• Managing all aspects of site security, site maintenance, cleaning, mail and courier services etc.
• Overseeing Minor Works;
• Overseeing Capital Works projects.
• Management of AFBI Premises Staff, including: Providing oversight and support to the respective Premises Officers/Deputy Premises Officers at AFBI sites.
• Undertaking appropriate performance and absence management for staff.
• Health and Safety, including: Managing the condition of the AFBI Estate to ensure the health and safety of staff and livestock, as well as all visitors to site.
• Ensuring preventative work is undertaken in line with planning in order to meet safety standards;
• Attending and contributing to relevant Health and Safety Committee meetings including the AFBI Health and Safety Advisory Group (HSAG);
• Undertaking assessment of estate related obligations in terms of Health and Safety for the AFBI sites particularly in relation to health and safety audits / inspections and recommendations.
• Managing delivery of agreed remedial actions in order to close out recommendations.
• In addition to general EMDB duties, each Deputy Principal role will lead in at least one key area related to AFBI operations, such as:
• Energy and Sustainability Management: Improvement of site energy and sustainability in conjunction with DAERA Estate Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Branch.
• Development and implementation of AFBI Sustainability Policy and Action Plan;
• Identification of new and innovative carbon reduction and sustainability opportunities;
• Management of specific climate and sustainability projects as required.
• Management of a Carbon Baseline Tool (e.g. utilities / heating & vehicle fuel / laboratory gas emissions / F gases) in terms of AFBI annual outputs and provision of annual carbon baseline reporting to DAERA;
• Management of AFBI’s compliance with its statutory duties under the provisions of the Climate Change Act (NI) 2022 and provision of statutory returns to DAERA under The Climate Change (Reporting Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024;
• Ensuring carbon reduction behaviours are embedded in AFBI to reduce carbon emissions arising from business activities;
• Providing advice and support on climate change and resilience issues;
• Supporting the AFBI Waste Manager in managing sustainable waste systems;
• Supporting AFBI Stormont Animal Health Sciences Building (AHSB) project manager regarding sustainable travel requirements and other requirements for the new build.
• AFBI Fleet Management: for AFBI operational vehicles, including: Development of guidance / policy for management of the AFBI fleet including modernisation, improving technology and moving to a more environmentally sustainable position;
• Adaptation / implementation of NICS / DAERA Fleet Decarbonisation Policy for AFBI fleet;
• Monitoring expenditure at vehicle level in order to inform repair/replacement policies;
• Preparing and managing an overall business case for fleet size and renewal;
• Managing vehicle tax, servicing and ad hoc repairs, in order to keep the fleet operational.
• Incident Management and Business Continuity: Management of AFBI Planning and Estate related business continuity, and incidents such as adverse weather, which could cause business disruptions to AFBI functions.
• This list is not exhaustive, and the successful candidate will be required to carry out other duties as allocated by management and commensurate with the grade.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• A Level 3 qualification or equivalent AND 5 years’ experience.
• OR A Level 4 qualification or equivalent AND 4 years’ experience.
• OR A Level 5 qualification or equivalent AND 3 years’ experience.
• AND Have a successful track record in developing and maintaining productive working relationships, including a demonstrable ability to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate experience of Microsoft (or equivalent) packages to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Demonstrate experience of providing support to Senior Management.
• Hold a valid UK driving licence or exchangeable driving licence enabling the licence holder to fulfil the duties of this role. As per the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA), any reasonable adjustments will be considered.

Desirable Skills

• Possess at least a 2:2 Degree level qualification in a relevant subject such as: Energy and Building Services Engineering; Civil Engineering; Facilities Management; Estates Management or equivalent.

Further Information

Location: One of the vacant roles will be located at Newforge and the other at Hillsborough. NICS Application form only. Vacancy closing date Friday 9th January 2026 at 12 noon.