The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is a non-ministerial department of over 1600 people. We play a critical role in protecting public health and consumers’ wider interests in food across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

We are a small government department with a big mission: to keep food safe, ensure that it is what it says it is, and that it is increasingly healthy and more sustainable. Our expert science, evidence and research underpins and supports the FSA’s work, including risk assessment, risk management and delivery processes for controls on food hygiene, animal feed, foodborne diseases.  

We are looking for an Impact and Evaluation Coordinator who can help us ensure that the science we undertake at the FSA connects with every part of our organisation and its work. You’ll work to build the visibility and influence our science offers both internally and externally, helping us to make a real and data-led difference to the food we eat.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

From alternative proteins to organisms produced by precision breeding, the FSA’s work touches on the most relevant and pressing issues in the industry and demands research that can keep up with fast-moving developments. You will develop and manage initiatives to monitor and evaluate the performance and impact of FSA Science. This work will help us to collect the right data to develop compelling, scientifically robust narratives, and work with the Research Engagement and Partnerships coordinator to foster engagement with our work.

Communication sits at the heart of this role, whether you are developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, or driving the integration of science across the FSA. Your work will break down silos and improve the influence and impact of our science, ensuring it is communicated effectively and available to others who can share it or add further value.

If you are excited about the impact science can have on the everyday lives of consumers across the country and want to support the FSA as we strive to deliver ‘food you can trust’, this is an opportunity to make a real difference.

Please read the attached Candidate Pack to discover further details about the role, our organisation, who we are looking for and the criteria we will assess against during the selection process.

We look forward to receiving your application and wish you every success.

Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack. 

Application and shortlisting

You will be asked to provide personal details (not seen by the Panel) and to confirm your eligibility to apply for the role.

You will then be asked to complete an application which will be used to assess you against the following essential criteria.

Essential criteria

Experience

·         Lead criteria: Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation in the UK research and innovation landscape

·         Excellent stakeholder management skills, with a proven track record of building collaborative working relationships.

·         An engaging communicator with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

·         Experience managing business development projects and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. 

Technical

·         A degree in a science discipline

or

·         equivalent experience working in a science or research focused environment

Lead Criteria An initial sift may take place on just the identified Lead Criteria indicated.

In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the minimum pass mark for the Lead Criteria may be raised at shortlisting stage. Candidates who apply under the DCS, GPTW or RIS schemes and meet the minimum requirements will be unaffected by the pass mark raise.

Interview

If successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview in which we will assess you against the following Experience requirements of the role and Civil Service Behaviours Level 3.

Behaviours

·         Seeing the Big Picture

·         Communicating and Influencing

·         Working Together

·         Changing and Improving

Full details of the positive indicators being assessed for each Behaviour can be found in the Candidate Pack.

Experience (Assessed via one assessment exercise)

·         Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation in the UK research and innovation landscape.

·         An engaging communicator with the ability to present complex information clearly and concisely.

Details of assessment exercise

If successful at shortlisting stage you will be asked to prepare a 5-minute presentation to be delivered at the start of your interview.  Details of the presentation topic to be covered will be included in the invitation to interview.

Expected Timeline

Advert closes: 2 June 2024 (23:55)

Sift: Expected to take place during week commencing 3 June 2024

Final panel interview: Expected to take place during week commencing 24 June 2024

Interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. (If you do not have the Microsoft Teams application installed on your computer, you can join on the web without installing the application).

Please note that indicated dates may be subject to change.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to the Food Standards Agency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.

Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Reserve List

A reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that the FSA does not hold a licence to sponsor any visa applications and we are unable to provide any advice about visas.