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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Science
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About the job
Job summary
The Science and Surveillance team is a new team set up to lead and develop the science input and expertise of the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland. We will support the development of policy and operational delivery, working to ensure that the FSAs strategy delivers on its core mission of ensuring that food is safe, what it says it is, and healthier and more sustainable.
In Northern Ireland, the FSA has the responsibility for delivering aspects of nutrition policy and nutrition surveillance. The Science and Surveillance team are responsible for monitoring what Northern Ireland consumers are eating and purchasing as well as their attitudes and behaviours with regards to food. This data informs the Dietary Health teams key role in delivering nutrition policy.
Job description
We are looking for a Nutrition Science Adviser who can deliver analysis that will inform the development, implementation and evaluation of nutrition policy across Northern Ireland. From providing responses to queries to identifying gaps in our nutrition research and contributing to research proposals, youll have the opportunity to have a real impact in the important work our team does.
Collaboration will play a key part of your success in this role, as you lead on contract management, deliver responses to requests for information and produce business cases that will help us secure funding for future research. Working alongside colleagues in the Standards and Dietary Health team and stakeholders across government, youll seek to deliver the best results for the consumer, so that we can continue carrying out our important work effectively.
If you have experience leading on the analysis of nutrition datasets this is a fantastic opportunity to make a tangible impact. Apply today and be an important part of this rich, collaborative area of the FSAs work.
This post is advertised as a 10-month Fixed Term/Loan appointment. Candidates that are already established Civil Servants or from non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will come to the FSA on a Loan basis and will need to request permission from their Home Department for the Loan prior to applying for this job.
Note for FSA employees:
You must seek approval from your substantive manager before applying for any non-permanent vacancy, this includes applying for a new post during an existing temporary posting. Please note that if applying for a temporary post within the FSA or elsewhere on promotion, successful appointment will not automatically result in a permanent promotion – you will revert to your current substantive grade at the end of the Fixed Term or Loan period (unless funding has been approved to make the post permanent).
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.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£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
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.
Degree in Nutrition. Examples of suitable degrees include; Dietetics, Human Nutrition, Food and Nutrition, Food Quality Safety and Nutrition.
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.
Experience
Lead criteria: Proven experience post undergraduate level leading on the analysis and interpretation of nutrition data sets and the communication of this information in a variety of formats for stakeholders.
- Proven experience of planning, monitoring and evaluating projects and/or research post undergraduate level.
- Proven experience of excellent written and verbal communication post undergraduate level.
- Proven experience in the use of Microsoft Office programmes including Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
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
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
Expected Timeline
Advert closes: 5th November
Sift: Expected to take place 6th November
Final panel interview: Expected to take place w/c 20th November
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 socioeconomic 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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Aoibheann Dunne
- Email : aoibheann.dunne@food.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk
Further information
