It’s more important than ever that the FSA lives up to the high standards we have set for ourselves, as we seek to retain our hard-earned reputation both at home and overseas. 

Risk assessment offers us the opportunity to do this, through robust analysis, the identifying of intrinsic gaps in our knowledge, and the active pursuit of answers. Delivering high quality scientific advice and assessment, the risk assessment team enables the FSA to plan ahead, identify issues and address them directly, and effectively. The UK consumers, and those receiving UK export goods overseas, rely on our work to ensure the safety of what they eat. As we face our future outside of the EU, it is vital that we embed a structure that supports this endeavour at every corner. 

Our radiological risk assessors have a very distinct role within the wider risk assessment team, delivering and developing the FSA’s radiological food safety assessments, as well as playing a significant role in the FSA’s response to a nuclear or radiological emergency. 

A significant part of your duties will be to provide informed radiological risk assessment advice to the radiological policy team, as well as other colleagues across the FSA.

Leading two other risk assessors, you will also look to provide further advice regarding a range of radiological concerns, from the impact on the food chain from legacy contaminations to the continuous improvement of our methodology, ensuring that our approach is always aligned with the latest scientific advances. You will work to make sure that your team has the resources it needs to deliver advice and information that will inform wider FSA policy. From project management to the maintenance and development of our risk assessment models, you will always be looking at ways to improve the service your team provides. 

Representing the FSA at cross-government risk assessment forums, you will act as a vital point of expertise for the Agency in fields including nuclear emergency resilience planning. 

If you are excited to put your expertise to use protecting the public, are a keen learner who will seek to constantly develop and enhance their understanding of the field and will be enthused to work collaboratively and effectively to support your team and the wider FSA in its work, apply for this exciting position today. 

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.  

Technical: You will be asked 2 questions to confirm that you meet the Technical requirements of the role. 

·      A scientific degree or equivalent in a physical, chemical or biological science or environmental science

·      Either a postgraduate qualification in a chemistry, physics, biological or environmental-based discipline (or closely related subject) or extensive experience in public health-related risk assessment.

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 and desirable criteria. (Desirable criteria will only be assessed in

the event of a tie between candidates).

Experience

·      An understanding and experience of radiological risk assessment.

·      Experience of applying sound scientific knowledge and judgement, including experience in evaluating scientific and other technical information to generate robust advice.

·       Proven ability to effectively prioritise workload to meet challenging deadlines.

·       Proven record of engaging effectively and working collaboratively with experts and non-experts on issues both within and outside your area of expertise

·       Proven ability to communicate complex scientific issues to scientific and non-scientific audiences both verbally and in writing.

Desirable

·         Experience of line managing or functionally managing others

Technical

·      A scientific degree or equivalent in a physical, chemical or biological science or environmental science

·      Either a postgraduate qualification in a chemistry, physics, biological or environmental-based discipline (or closely related subject) or extensive experience in public health-related risk assessment.

In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the minimum pass mark 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 criteria below.

Behaviours (Level 3)

·         Making Effective Decisions

·         Leadership

·         Delivering at Pace

·         Working Together

·         Communicating and Influencing

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

Technical

·      A scientific degree or equivalent in a physical, chemical or biological science or environmental science

·      Either a postgraduate qualification in a chemistry, physics, biological or environmental-based discipline (or closely related subject) or extensive experience in public health-related risk assessment.

Expected Timeline

Advert closes: 14th January

Sift: Expected to take place w/c 15th January

Final panel interview: Expected to take place w/c 29th January

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.

As UKSV SC is required for this role, you will need to be able to confirm you have been resident in the UK for a minimum of 3 of the last 5 years (or have extenuating circumstances e.g. have been serving abroad with HM Armed Forces).

United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) Requirements (SC)

Appointment will be subject to the candidate having, or being able to achieve, National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) level.

All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK.

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years (although there are some exceptions e.g. if you have been serving abroad with HM Armed Forces).

Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.

Checks will be made against:

·        a departmental/company records check which will include, for example personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records

·        a check of both spent and unspent criminal records

·        a check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency

·        a check of Security Service (MI5) records

·        exceptionally, if there are any unresolved security concerns about the individual, or if recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also be interviewed

·        in the event of any unresolved financial concerns, the individual may also be required to complete a separate financial questionnaire so that a full review of personal finances can be carried out

·        checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire.

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.

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.