Job descriptionand person specification

n Part A: details of post

Division / Food & Feed Safety Division / Branch / unit / Enforcement
Job title / Senior Environmental Health Specialist / Grade / SEO
Salary range / £ 30,012 to £ 39,046 p.a. / Location / St. Magnus House
Reports to: Job title / Head of Enforcement, Scotland / Grade / UG7
Reports on: (number of staff by grade) / N/A
Conditions (e.g. full time, secondment) / Full time, permanent
Reference number (to be completed by HR Recruitment) / SEO/1409

n Part B: job description

Organisational position:

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Context:

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The Food Standards Agency in Scotland is responsible for ensuring food safety and the provision of healthy eating advice to consumers, both directly and via a range of stakeholders.
On 27 June 2012 Scottish Ministers announced their intention to establish a new food body for Scotland. It is expected that the statutory basis for this body will be fully in place by June 2014 and that it will continue to discharge all functions currently discharged by the Food Standards Agency in Scotland. The Branch will contribute positively to the transition process but it is essential that functions relating to incidents and enforcement continue seamlessly during the transition. Leadership and focus on delivery will be key, to ensure that Branch objectives are achieved during a period of major organisational change and then on an ongoing basis.
Food safety is the number one priority of the Food Standards Agency and there remain considerable challenges in improving food safety across the food chain, from farm to fork. Major food incidents can undermine consumer trust in food safety as well as causing considerable costs to food businesses and enforcement bodies. Working to prevent such incidents from happening is a key objective of the FSA.
The Enforcement Branch is one of three in the Food & Feed Safety Division which brings together the Agency's work on food and feed policy and science with liaison with enforcement bodies. The post holder will have an important role to play in assisting the FSA, Scottish Government and the new food body during the transition process, particularly through the maintenance of constructive working relationships with local authorities and other strategically important stakeholders.
An important challenge for the Division will be to prepare and implement procedures, and liaison arrangements to meet the needs of the new food body in the run up to its vesting day.

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Job purpose:

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The post-holder is expected to be appropriately qualified and experienced as a food law enforcement officer and to be a respected source of advice to local authorities, FSA and other government departments. A significant proportion of the role will involve incident management when required to ensure adequate cover for this function.
This post will lead on:
·  Food fraud liaison in Scotland
·  The Food Law Code of Practice, Local authority Practice Guidance, the Agency’s outbreak control guidance and other food safety enforcement guidance.
·  Enforcement letters to local authorities.
·  Local Food Liaison Groups, SFELC food safety sub group, the Fish Hygiene Working Group and other sub committees or working groups established in relevant areas of food law enforcement.
·  Incident prevention.
·  Emergency plans and planning.
The post-holder will participate in the FSA out-of-hours on-call rota and manage incidents in Scotland as required to ensure adequate cover for this function on working days.
The post-holder will be expected to deputise for the Branch Head when required.

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Key responsibilities:

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As a project manager, the post-holder is expected to ensure that all financial and procurement procedures are followed in relation to all budgets and projects delegated to the post-holder and that the relevant financial and project records are kept up to date.
The main areas of work covered by this post are:
·  The management of food incident response on a case-load basis.
·  The management of food fraud response.
·  The management of projects relating to incident awareness, reduction and mitigation.
·  Contributing to relevant areas of the low cost training programme.
·  Provision of enforcement advice and guidance in relation to all secondary food production and general enforcement. As necessary, providing support on primary production, food standards, animal feeding stuffs and imports.
·  Provision of advice and feedback on behalf of the Enforcement Branch to other Branches in relevant areas of work.
·  Contributing to the Branch’s enforcement engagement through attendance at food liaison Group meetings and liaison as required with the Operations Group.
·  Leading on discrete projects and on a portfolio of work. These will change over time in line with the demands on the service. The work will often involve attendance at meetings and this will require frequent travel throughout Scotland and the UK to meet with colleagues, local authorities and other stakeholders.
Specific duties of the post include:
·  Incident management and food fraud response on a rota basis.
·  Providing the Lead for FSAS for food fraud liaison.
·  Providing the Lead for FSAS for incident reduction / mitigation.
·  Providing the Lead for FSAS in relation to the Food Law Code of Practice, Local authority Practice Guidance, the Agency’s outbreak control guidance and enforcement letters to local authorities.
·  Responsibility for emergency response procedures and liaison over the emergency planning arrangements with strategically important stakeholders.
·  Providing support as required for FVO and third country Missions.
·  Providing the Lead for FSAS in relation to Local Food Liaison Groups, SFELC Food Safety Subgroup, the Fish Hygiene Working Group and other subcommittees or working groups established in relevant areas of food law enforcement.
Liaison with stakeholders on relevant areas of enforcement including consumers, businesses and local authority contacts to exchange information and to provide assistance.

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n Part C: person specification

·  For posts from AA to Grade 6 level, the Agency’s Core Competency Framework applies. This can be viewed at http://fsahome/human/pm/Documents/FSA%20Core%20Competency%20Framework%20Refreshed%202011.pdf

·  For posts at Grade 7 and above, the Professional Skills for Government also apply. These can be viewed at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/improving/psg/index.aspx

Essential criteria

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Leadership
Required to take account of the future and the big picture in current activities. Initiates change to make things happen. Explains the reasons for and the impact of change. Takes account of corporate issues and the big picture in planning and taking decisions.
People Management
Has regular contact with the team and publicly supports the team. Motivates and coaches individuals to achieve their best and celebrates success.
Analysis and Use of Evidence
Takes the lead in dealing with complex issues which require input from and co-operation of others; takes decisions which include resolutions of conflicts of interest, based on available evidence. Cascades information effectively and keeps those who need to know informed. Encourages others to review own analysis and provide constructive criticism. Provides information that increases understanding, explains possible consequences, and helps people to make decisions. Accepts and supports decisions once they have been made. Uses evidence to evaluate projects and understands the validity, relevance and limitations of different sources of evidence.
Communication
Communicating with staff and stakeholders at all levels including more senior staff both internally and externally; written work may include discussion papers, project documentation and more complex technical documentation. Discusses issues face to face with those who are affected and actively seeks out the views of those who see things from a different perspective. Ensures people are kept informed about issues that may affect them. Considers the needs of the audience/recipient and communicates only the essential information. Presents information confidently, clearly and without unnecessary jargon. Identifies and promotes the benefits of proposals to others. Effectively represents the Agency to help promote our reputation.
Collaborative Working
Capable of dealing with a wide range of contacts within and outside the FSA; developing a network of contacts; working level negotiations. Builds productive and co-operative working relationships with internal/external stakeholders. Develops an understanding of the objectives, priorities and terminology of other people, teams or organisations.
Delivering Results
Capable of taking responsibility for the work of a larger team or project; may be working in new and/or uncertain circumstances, or in the face of significant obstacles. Is honest with colleagues, consumers and stakeholders about what we can and cannot deliver. Considers alternative ways to achieve results. Offers suggestions and recommendations for resolving difficult decisions. Sets standards and service levels and measures performance against them. Takes and manages appropriate risks.
Using and Managing Resources
May manage a delegated budget; leads on some procurement activities related to project work. Takes ownership of the development of sections of the Branch business and development plans. Gathers and presents evidence to support bids for resources. Follows the correct procedures for managing different types of expenditure, eg resources and capital. Uses financial data to monitor and manage budgets and forecasting. Applies appraisal and risk management principles and tools in making decisions about resources. Follows relevant Government / EU procurement / contract management guidelines
Know How
A qualified Environmental Health Officer with an appropriate professional qualification recognised by REHIS/EHRB with at least five years post-qualification experience, of which at least three years in food law enforcement.
·  Ability to assess food safety risks and implement proportionate control measures and prioritise work within tight deadlines.
·  Good knowledge of food legislation, codes of practice and the operation of Local Authority food law enforcement.
Has broader expertise extending beyond own work area. Links in to other specialist areas, contributing to multidisciplinary teams and projects. Creates an environment that supports, develops and challenges staff. Cultivates and maintains networks across FSA and externally. Explains complex ideas and information clearly, including where knowledge is partial and uncertain. Actively pursues and manages own continuing professional development.

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Desirable criteria

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·  Good working knowledge of available spreadsheet and database tools (Microsoft Office suite) to analyse, present and manage information effectively.

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Notes:

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·  Extensive UK travel.
·  Out of hours working commensurate with reasonable demands relating to incidents response and on-call rota.

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For further information on the role and the work of the branch, please contact:

Line manager: / Peter Midgley / on / 01224 28518

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