Skip to main contentHead of Veterinary Audit and Assurance – International Trade
Food Standards Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 11th June 2023
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Operational Delivery
Veterinary Services
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About the job
Job summary
The FSA is a non-ministerial department of over 1400 people. Having left the EU, 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.
Around 45% of the food we consume in the UK is imported from other countries. Almost a third of our food comes from the EU alone. It is important that consumers can have confidence in the food they buy regardless of where it is from, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) works hard to deliver this security. This has become more important than ever now that the UK has left the EU, and our teams adapt in order to take on new responsibilities while also ensuring our exports are of the highest quality, boosting our standing across international markets.
The FSA is looking for a Head of Veterinary Audit and Assurance who can support the important work our teams do to ensure both the quality of food imported to and exported from the UK, as well as the wellbeing of animals within the food system itself.
Job description
Implementing and managing our Imports Assurance delivery programme, your work will have far reaching impact that will enable consumers around the world to have confidence in the quality of their food. Delivering import assessments that determine the safety of foods produced overseas, your team will provide key assurance that you will manage and implement. You’ll work closely with colleagues in Food Standards Scotland and DEFRA, amongst other stakeholders, making recommendations and supporting the development of operating systems that will further our ability to keep food safe. You’ll also work to ensure that our Veterinary Import Audit Team has the capacity to adapt to changing demands while continuing to deliver high quality work. You’ll make sure that we are able to adequately assess food safety in other countries looking to export goods to the UK, while supporting export audits of UK businesses by third countries. At its core, this role is about empowering the FSA to deliver consistent, high-quality food -whether it has been exported from or imported to the UK. Your leadership will define the capabilities of a dedicated team that works hard to deliver ‘food you can trust’, and you’ll need to be able to make the right decision to support them while offering informed and educated recommendations to a range of stakeholders. This is an opportunity to make a real difference to millions of lives, and work alongside a talented team with an important goal. If you are excited to use your skill and expertise to support this important work, apply today for the Head of Veterinary Audit and Assurance role. |
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.
Licences
Qualifications
HACCP Training to at least level 3
Memberships
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Developing Self and Others
Benefits
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack. Application and shortlisting This will consist of an application will be shortlisted against the essential person specification criteria stated in the Candidate Pack. Lead Criteria An initial sift may take place on just the identified Lead Criteria indicated below: · Experience of third country audit and approvals 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 4 Behaviours · Seeing the Big Picture · Leadership · Communicating and Influencing · Developing Self and Others As part of the interview process, you will be asked to prepare a seen presentation. Further information will be provided to you on the day / invite to interview email. Expected Timeline Advert closes: 11/06/23 Sift: Expected to take place 12/06/23 Final panel interview: Expected to take place 26/06/23. 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 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. |
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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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
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
