Head of Local Authority Delivery & Incidents

Head of Local Authority Delivery & Incidents

£64,057 - £73,935

Scotland

We are currently seeking applications to lead our Local Authority Delivery and Incidents Division within Food Standards Scotland. This is a permanent and pensionable appointment and new entrants will normally start on the minimum of the pay range. Candidates with a disability who meet the essential criteria below will be invited to attend interview and an assessment centre.

FSS has a wide and diverse remit, encompassing policy, science and operational delivery across food and feed safety, standards and authenticity, together with diet and nutrition.

As a consequence of EU exit, FSS will take on significant new responsibilities, with additional pressures expected in the area of food and feed safety law enforcement and incident management. FSS is therefore increasing its capacity and capability to ensure that it is fully equipped to deliver its new functions and maintain current standards of food and feed safety for consumers in Scotland.

The re-structure brings in a new leadership cohort to support two SCS Directors and the CEO. A key task for the new leadership cohort, collectively and individually, will be to support the Directors and CEO in the establishment and consolidation of the new structure, developing and embedding governance and ways of working that support collaborative work across the organisation.

The post-holder will lead a Division of around 28 staff providing support for local authority delivery of food law enforcement, delivery of animal feed law, operational outputs relating to import and export controls, resilience and emergency planning, and management of food incidents.

As a member of FSS's Strategic Leadership Group, the post-holder will take an active part in strategic and corporate planning, and will take a strategic leadership role in consolidation of the new structure, developing and embedding governance and ways of working that support collaborative work across the organisation to support effective delivery of FSS functions and objectives.

Main Duties

Lead and empower the Division to deliver an effective contribution to FSS's overarching strategic objectives, setting aims and objectives, taking decisions on strategy for delivery, promoting a positive culture of collaborative working, and managing resources to ensure they are deployed, monitored and assessed against outcomes.

• Provide leadership and direction for the development of expert knowledge, strategic support and advice which meets identified needs and priorities relating to the delivery of food and feed law enforcement and consumer protection by partners.
• Oversee the provision of support for delivery of food law enforcement by partners, delivery of feed law, operational outputs relating to imports and exports, resilience and emergency planning, and incident management.
• As a member of FSS's Strategic Leadership Group, contribute actively to FSS strategic decision-making and risk management, and to oversight of corporate planning and performance, organisational development, financial management, and assurance.
• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge and high-level awareness of developing policy and practice and current issues in food and feed law enforcement and incident management, and make recommendations on future strategic developments.
• Provide authoritative advice and guidance to FSS CEO and Directors on areas within the remit of the Division, and clear and authoritative briefing and advice to the FSS Board, Ministers and Scottish Parliamentary Committees as required.
• Be an authoritative and credible representative of FSS, managing stakeholder engagement and working relationships at a senior level with key stakeholders and partners, including the Scottish Government, UK and devolved government departments, and local authorities.
• Management and development of staff.

Qualifications Required

For jobs in Band B & C you must hold a minimum of 3 Highers or equivalent.

A suitable degree in Environmental Health or other relevant food safety discipline.

A minimum of 10 years’ experience working at a strategic level in the field of food law delivery is required.

Other qualifications equivalent to these may also be acceptable, if you are in any doubt please contact to discuss.

Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrably strong understanding of emerging national and local developments in food law delivery and an ability to use analysis and identification of key evidence to develop recommendations and experience in working collaboratively, at a strategic level with other government departments and enforcement partners, to deliver effective official controls, with  a track record of building effective partnerships and negotiating successful outcomes.
• Excellent leadership skills, with experience of leading others (beyond line management responsibility) to successfully deliver programmes of work within and beyond organisational boundaries, and the ability to manage priorities, set direction and articulate a clear vision of success, and think strategically to support delivery of the wider strategies and priorities of FSS and the Scottish Government.
• Strong communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills, with evidence of building good working relationships and commanding the confidence of stakeholders and partners, with a proven ability to clearly articulate complex ideas and technical information, to influence and challenge others in order to deliver strategic objectives.
• Proven planning and organisational skills to respond effectively to the demands of a fast-paced and changing environment, with the ability to build resilient capacity and capability to meet current and future challenges, with experience of developing coaching and leading others to achieve the objectives of both the organisation and individuals.

Important Information Regarding Interviews

In recognition of the Scottish Government's ongoing measures and guidance in its response to Covid-19 (Coronavirus), we would like to advise applicants that a decision has been taken that all interviews must be conducted in a virtual/remote setting.

In order to facilitate this new way of working, we are asking all applicants to ensure that they have a suitable space to complete the virtual interview. In addition, a personal device of choice, which has the Skype for Business application downloaded. This will allow candidates to undertake the interview/assessment if selected. We are also asking you to ensure that your personal Wi-Fi/Broadband capacity will be sufficient to carry both audio and video feeds.

Further Information

For further information on this vacancy please visit https://applications.work-for-scotland.org/pages/job_search_view.aspx?preview=1&jobId=18108. To apply, you must fully complete and submit an online application via this website before the closing date. To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Ian McWatt who can be reached at Ian.McWatt@fss.scot.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact Recruitment@gov.scot.

Closing date: 2 February 2021.