A total of 100 jobs are to be created by the expansion of the Dover Port Health Authority.

Dover District Council says the service is growing to meet the need for increased imported food safety controls at the border.

It is being done in the wake of Brexit with new checks coming in this summer.

The news will come as a boost to many who are looking for work after the pandemic resulted in huge job losses.

The first phase of recruitment, for 60 places, has begun with posts ranging from port health and technical officers, to operational managers, team leaders and administrative staff.

Lucy Manzano, head of the Dover Port Health Authority, said: “This is an exciting time to join us as we expand our operation to ensure food security at the border.

"When fully operational the expanded authority will be pivotal in ensuring the smooth flow of safe food through Europe’s busiest ferry port and onto the shelves of shops and supermarkets across the country.

“We would like to hear from local people with experience in the food, cross-Channel and logistics industries. Maybe you've recently left catering college or think you have relevant skills or experience that you could bring.

"There will also be a range of administrative and business support roles.

“As we operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week, there is scope for flexible work patterns, including both full-time and part-time posts. There are also a wide range of attractive public sector benefits and shift allowances.”

Port health controls are managed by councils which enforce regulations for central government.

These include checks on imported food, inspecting ships for food safety and infectious disease controls as well as general public and health protection within the port environment.

Britain completely left the European Union on New Year's Eve after 48 years of membership.

As a result, there will be border checks on goods coming into and leaving the country from July 1 this year.

These include products of animal origin, high-risk foods not of animal origin and organic and fish products.

DDC has received £4.3 million from the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for the expansion of the Dover Port Health Authority.

Council leader Cllr Trevor Bartlett said: “It’s great to have some good news on the jobs front at a time when many local people are facing uncertainty as a result of the pandemic.

“The expansion of our port health service is vital to the smooth running of the border at Dover and to the protection of food safety and public health in the UK.

“Many local people will have skills and experience that can be readily applied to the work of the DPHA and we encourage them to apply.”

With tens of thousands of redundancies due to Covid-19's continued effect on the economy, national unemployment rose to 5% between last September and November.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that's up by 0.6% from June to August.

To search the DPHA vacancies and to apply visit the web page dover.gov.uk/jobs

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