Senior Adviser
Salary: £40,800 (National) £44,076 (London)
Location
We offer great flexible working opportunities, and have offices in Belfast, Cardiff and York.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas.
Although the role is home based, you will need a current UK driving licence and be prepared to drive for business purposes.
You will spend occasional time away from home for business purposes.
There is an expectation to travel to various operational sites and FSA offices, which may require overnight stays.
About the job
Job summary
The 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. Our vision is an important one - to drive change, delivering “food you can trust” and working towards a healthier and more sustainable food system.
Join the Food Standards Agency (FSA) as a Senior Adviser and play a pivotal role in shaping and implementing food and feed policies. Collaborate with colleagues across the FSA, devolved administrations, and other government departments to develop, deliver, and evaluate policies and controls. Engage with external stakeholders, including industry, to understand the impact of policy options and identify solutions that manage food and feed safety risks.
As part of the Operational Policy and Delivery Team, you will focus on policies related to products of animal origin, primary production, and animal feed, while also contributing to broader policy considerations. In Northern Ireland (NI), you will ensure compliance with EU legislative requirements and contribute to the development of wider FSA policy, ensuring NI interests are considered.
Job description
As a Senior Adviser, you will lead the development, delivery, and evaluation of food and feed policies and controls. You will work closely with colleagues across the FSA, devolved administrations, and other government departments to ensure policies are effective and proportionate. Engaging with external stakeholders, including industry representatives, you will gather insights and understand the impact of policy options, identifying solutions that effectively manage food and feed safety risks.
In Northern Ireland (NI), you will ensure compliance with EU legislative requirements while contributing to broader FSA policies. You will work with Local Authorities and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to promote effective food safety enforcement. Monitoring and auditing standards will be a key part of your role, overseeing the delivery of official controls across NI food and feed businesses.
You will ensure that governing legislation is transposed into NI law according to Assembly procedures. This includes preparing submissions, providing advice to Ministers and committees, and drafting responses to correspondence and Assembly Questions. You will develop and review codes of practice, guidance, and information, ensuring effective communication to industry and competent authorities in NI.
Additionally, you will provide technical support for incident investigations and audits, working with both internal and external audit parties. Flexibility is essential, as you will need to adapt to changing priorities and take on new challenges. You will participate in business planning and prioritisation, ensuring the team's work aligns with the FSA's strategic goals.
This dynamic role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on food safety and public health. If you are passionate about policy development and eager to contribute to the FSA's mission, we encourage you to apply.
Licences
Full Driving Licence
Behaviours
- We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
- Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Please provide evidence of how you meet the following Technical criteria. You do not need to follow the instruction to provide your answer in a STAR format • Demonstrable understanding of the official food and or feed control system in the UK
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £40,800, Food Standards Agency contributes £11,819 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
For further information and to submit your application, click APPLY NOW.
Closing Date: 10th March 2025