Head of Risk Assessment

Scottish Government•Aberdeen, WA

3d•£62,111 - £77,439•Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of Risk Assessment works as part of Food Standards Scotland's (FSS's) Science Division. This post leads the team which is responsible for undertaking FSS’s food and feed safety risk assessment functions, commissioning research and providing scientific and technical advice concerning microbiological, allergen and chemical food safety across the business, including support for incidents. The role requires excellent communications skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly to a range of audiences. They must develop and maintain effective collaborative relationships with key government partners and stakeholders, particularly with scientists at the Food Standards Agency (to support the UK Risk Analysis process), scientific advisors in Scottish Government, food safety scientists and industry representatives. They will also represent FSS’s interests on a range of Scottish and UK Government, industry and academic technical and science groups. This post provides strategic leadership for FSS's risk assessment function; a varied and fast paced area of the organisation's remit, which requires the post holder to work flexibly and responsively if and when urgent issues arise. The Head of Risk Assessment is responsible for managing a team of microbiological and chemical food safety specialists and fostering a high performing culture that ensures FSS has the scientific capability and capacity to support the delivery of its core food safety responsibilities. The Head of Risk Assessment leads a team of six scientists with expertise in microbiological, toxicological and chemical food safety; working as part of FSS's Science Division; a multi-disciplinary cohort of around 15 biology, chemistry and social science professionals. The Head of Risk Assessment has direct line management responsibilities for 3 senior scientists at B3 grade; providing the oversight and governance needed to ensure the team delivers risk assessments which are based on sound evidence and are scientifically robust. The Head of Risk Assessment also provides oversight for a programme of research; ensuring projects are procured, delivered and published in line with the appropriate procedures, and that the associated budgets are managed effectively. This is a 12 month position to provide cover for FSS's Head of Risk Assessment whilst the substantive post holder is on parental leave. There is the possibility that the position will be extended beyond 12 months depending on circumstances.

Requirements

Eligible staff in Bands A – C for this vacancy
Existing and ongoing right to work in the UK
Excellent communications skills
Ability to convey complex technical information clearly to a range of audiences

Responsibilities

Undertaking FSS’s food and feed safety risk assessment functions
Commissioning research
Providing scientific and technical advice concerning microbiological, allergen and chemical food safety across the business, including support for incidents
Developing and maintaining effective collaborative relationships with key government partners and stakeholders
Representing FSS’s interests on a range of Scottish and UK Government, industry and academic technical and science groups
Providing strategic leadership for FSS's risk assessment function
Managing a team of microbiological and chemical food safety specialists
Fostering a high performing culture
Direct line management responsibilities for 3 senior scientists at B3 grade
Providing oversight and governance needed to ensure the team delivers risk assessments which are based on sound evidence and are scientifically robust
Providing oversight for a programme of research
Ensuring projects are procured, delivered and published in line with the appropriate procedures
Managing associated budgets effectively