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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
FSA Operations has a diverse remit, being responsible for the delivery of official controls in FSA approved meat establishments, undertaking milk hygiene inspections, and ensuring the application of EU wine regulations in England and Wales as well as leading on food safety incident responses and tackling fraud and criminality in the food system.
As we bring together multiple delivery functions into a single Operations directorate, we are looking for a Head of Operational Excellence to provide leaders across Operations with the analysis and evidence they need to continually drive performance improvement as well as the tools to effectively prioritise our activity, deliver against our commitments, communicate to stakeholders and robustly manage risk.
Job description
This new post will establish and lead a function to deliver a framework for operational performance excellence, including business planning, performance analysis and reporting (including to the Executive Management Team and the FSA Board), risk management and management of briefings and responses to Freedom of Information requests and Parliamentary Questions.
Establishing and leading the delivery of an operational excellence function, you will use your substantial experience of performance frameworks and analysis, business planning, assurance, and risk management to measure, monitor and improve our operational performance.
This is an opportunity to take on a new leadership role which will directly impact the way the FSA delivers its regulation of the meat, dairy and wine industries and responds to food safety incidents and crime, building a new team into a high-performing function with a culture that champions inclusion, accountability and delivery.
As a talented communicator, and someone who can demonstrate leadership beyond your own team, youll work closely with our operational leaders, across the FSA and wider government to define future operational strategy and business delivery planning, improving our performance and our capability as a large-scale operation.
Were looking for an engaging leader, who can get people enthusiastic about working together creatively in improving our important work, and drive understanding across FSA Operations of what Operational Excellence is and why it is so important to ensuring food is safe.
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
£17,842 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 complete an application which will be used to assess you against the following essential criteria.
Experience
- Experience of designing and implementing performance frameworks, and leading teams on performance management, delivery improvement and assurance activities across complex operational environments (Lead Criteria)
- Experience of leading and managing change, introducing a high-performance culture, and implementing and embedding significantly new ways of working, whilst inspiring and motivating teams to ensure their buy-in
- Experience of management and production of briefings, papers and reports up to Board/Executive/Ministerial level (or equivalent)
- Experience of applying an analytical approach to day-to-day activities while also sensitively balancing constructive challenge and providing support to peers, senior colleagues and suppliers
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 criteria:
Experience
- Experience of designing and implementing performance frameworks, and leading teams on performance management, delivery improvement and assurance activities across complex operational environments
- Experience of leading and managing change, introducing a high-performance culture, and implementing and embedding significantly new ways of working, whilst inspiring and motivating teams to ensure their buy-in
- Experience of management and production of briefings, papers and reports up to Board/Executive/Ministerial level (or equivalent)
- Experience of applying an analytical approach to day-to-day activities while also sensitively balancing constructive challenge and providing support to peers, senior colleagues and suppliers
As part of the interview process, you will be asked to prepare a seen presentation. Further information will be provided to you on the invite to interview email.
Expected Timeline
Advert live 04/09/23
Closes 01/10/23
Sift: Expected to take place w/c 02/10/23
Final panel interview: Expected to take place w/c 16/10/23
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Richard Wynn-Davies
- Email : richard.wynn-davies@food.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk
Further information
