Remuneration: c£100,000 pro rata – this is a part time role for three days a week
Location: London based but with flexible working arrangements
Three year Fixed Term appointment with the possibility of extension. A secondment will also be considered.
Closing Date: Noon, Tuesday 28th January
The FSA is an independent non-ministerial government department, set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect the public’s health and consumer interests in relation to food. We are concerned with the safety of food right along the food supply chain, from when it is produced, to when it is served on the plate. The FSA is accountable to the UK parliament and assemblies in Wales and Northern Ireland.
The FSA is seeking an exceptional Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) for three days a week to lead on the use of scientific evidence to inform the FSA’s strategy, provide assurance on our risk analysis process and bring independent, senior, academically connected, scientific thinking and understanding to the heart of the FSA.
Science is very important to the FSA and data and evidence underpins everything that we do. The CSA will therefore need to provide independent and objective scientific advice to the department and wider stakeholder community on a range of policy issues; from allergens to foodborne illness, food security to microbiological resistance; novel foods to food fraud. The CSA will ensure that science and evidence remains at the heart of the FSA and continues to underpin its work, especially after the UK leaves the European Union. The CSA will advise on emerging research and innovation and support horizon scanning, bringing together insights from across scientific disciplines to advise the FSA on strategic opportunities and risks. The CSA will need to assess and respond to risks and situations in both written and verbal form. The CSA role is vital in providing assurance that the science and evidence we gather, and its use to effectively underpin our strategy and policy making in what is a challenging operational space, is the very best it can be.
The FSA’s new CSA will be a leading scientist of high standing in a field of relevance to the FSA’s responsibilities. You will need to be able to synthesise information so that it is useful for policy makers, understand how policy is made in the government environment, have credibility with the outside scientific community and a strong network of scientific colleagues. You must work collaboratively with the Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, the FSA’s Science Council, the cross-Government community of CSAs, heads of Research Councils and other high profile national and international bodies to share best practice, further develop partnerships and to ensure access to a wide knowledge base. You must be an excellent communicator and be able to communicate well to non-scientists.
Saxton Bampfylde Ltd is acting as an employment agency advisor to the Food Standards Agency on this appointment. For further information about the role, including details about how to apply, please visit www.saxbam.com/appointments using reference OAFSG. Alternatively telephone +44 (0)20 7227 0880 (during office hours). Applications should be received by Noon, Tuesday 28th January.
The FSA is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and want our workforce to reflect the communities that we serve. We are also committed to the employment and career development of disabled people and people from all underrepresented groups.
The Civil Service Commission provides assurance that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.