Science and Research Engagement Officer
Food Standards Agency
About the job
Job summary
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is 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. To empower our delivery of this broad remit, we work to keep science at the centre of everything we do.
We are looking for a Science and Research Engagement Officer who will help the Science, Evidence and Research Division (SERD) to develop compelling, scientifically robust narratives. Your work will help the FSA engage internal and external audiences alike and highlight the brilliant work our scientists do. You’ll play a key role in further building the trust that consumers put into all that we do.
Job description
Leading the delivery of our science engagement plan, you will work with colleagues across the organisation and act as a crucial bridge between your colleagues in SERD and the FSA’s Central Communications Team.
You’ll need to be a confident communicator who can make the most of this highly visible role, connecting disparate teams in order to further the profile of the FSA while highlighting the important research we are delivering.
As well as seeking to make the most of opportunities to maximise engagement with our science and evidence, you’ll look to develop plans and processes that track the impact of these communications. Your work will help us better reach people and spread important messages about the FSA’s impact on food.
If you are passionate about science and can present complex information to lay audiences, this a fantastic opportunity to help us champion the FSA’s vital work and help us better connect with those who are impacted by all that we do.
Person specification
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.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £32,505, Food Standards Agency contributes £8,809 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.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. Technical: You will be asked a question to confirm that you meet the Technical requirements of the role. A degree or equivalent in a scientific discipline. If you cannot answer yes to this question – you will not be able to proceed further with your application. 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: Experience presenting complex technical information in a clear and concise manner to experts and non-specialists both verbally and in writing. · Experience balancing competing demands and priorities, to deliver high quality work · Delivering results through building and maintaining effective working relationships with others, including senior stakeholders · Experience using and applying Microsoft 365 tools for process support and improvement
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 Civil Service Behaviours Level 3 Behaviours · Seeing the Big Picture · Making Effective Decisions · Communicating and Influencing · Working Together · Managing a Quality Service Full details of the positive indicators being assessed for each Behaviour can be found in the Candidate Pack. Expected Timeline Advert closes: 19th March Sift: Expected to take place 20th March Final panel interview: Expected to take place w/c 1st April 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. The FSA is dedicated to a policy of equal opportunity for all. Being truly reflective of our society and building a culture where everyone can perform at their best is critical to the work of the FSA. We are looking to recruit from the widest possible talent pool and encourage candidates to apply from a diverse range of backgrounds. We are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment and selection process and beyond. All appointments are made on merit. Please be assured that diversity or socio–economic information requested during the course of your application plays absolutely no part in our selection processes and is not seen by anyone assessing applications. Any information provided is anonymised and used for statistical purposes only. We actively review the deployment of talent on a periodic basis in the interests of optimising personal development and the achievement of business plans. 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.
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Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.