Joint Head of SPS and Innovation Policy

Job summary

Are you an experienced policy leader?

Does working at the intersection of regulation, innovation and public protection sound like an interesting challenge?

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is seeking a Joint Head of SPS and Innovation Policy to help shape how the UK responds to emerging food technologies and novel products, ensuring consumers remain protected while supporting responsible innovation across the food sector.

We are 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.

This is a unique opportunity to influence some of the most high-profile policy issues facing the organisation, including novel foods, CBD, genetic technologies and the implementation of the proposed UK-EU SPS Agreement.

Job description

Working alongside our existing Joint Head of SPS and Innovation Policy in a shared leadership model, you will contribute to strategic decision-making, provide advice on complex regulatory issues and help define the future direction of food innovation policy across Great Britain.

You will provide strategic direction to a multidisciplinary team, creating an environment where colleagues can deliver high-quality policy advice and outcomes in a fast-moving and highly scrutinised environment. You will work closely with scientific, operational and policy experts across the FSA and government to develop evidence-based approaches to complex regulatory challenges, while maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders across industry, academia and the devolved administrations.

A significant focus of the role will be leading planning and implementation activity linked to the proposed UK-EU SPS Agreement, considering both immediate regulatory changes and longer-term future operating models. You will also play a key role within the Market Authorisations Service, contribute to ministerial advice and senior briefings, and represent the FSA in discussions with key national and international partners, helping to ensure an effective and trusted regulatory framework for innovative food products.

You'll join a supportive and inclusive leadership team that values collaboration, innovation and shared success. Alongside jointly leading a fantastic team of dedicated professionals, you'll have the opportunity to work with knowledgeable colleagues from across the FSA who are committed to making a real difference through their work.

Candidates invited to interview will be offered an informal conversation with the existing Joint Head of SPS and Innovation Policy, providing an opportunity to learn more about the role and ask any questions before the interview

Working pattern guidance

Applicants who wish to work part time / compressed hours are welcome to apply - however your preferred working pattern may not be available, and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Due to the nature of the role, we are unable to consider requests for part-time working of less than 30 hours per week.

If applying as a job share partnership you should both complete separate application forms on Civil Service Jobs but should make it clear that you are applying as job sharers. Further details on job sharing can be found here JSF – What is the recruitment process for job sharers? , Civil Service Careers (civil-service-careers.gov.uk)

Please read before applying

This post is a temporary Fixed Term/Loan appointment available until 31/03/2027 due to limited funding for project work. There may be the potential, but no guarantee, of extension or permanency. Due to the urgency of the role, candidates must be able to take up employment within 6 weeks of conditional offer.

Note for current civil servants

Candidates that are already established civil servants will come to the FSA on a Loan basis and will need to request permission from their Home Department for the Loan prior to applying for this vacancy. Please ensure that your department is aware of relevant payroll arrangements for a loan of less than 6 months’ duration.

Note for FSA employees

You must seek approval from your substantive manager before applying for any non-permanent vacancy - please refer to the ‘Temporary internal appointments framework’ on the FSA intranet for more details. Please note that if applying for a temporary post within the FSA or elsewhere on promotion, successful appointment will not automatically result in a permanent promotion - you will revert to your current substantive grade at the end of the Fixed Term or Loan period (unless funding has been approved to make the post permanent).

Person specification

Please read the attached Job Description to discover further details about the role, 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.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £68,767, Food Standards Agency contributes £19,921 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Our candidate pack details the benefits that the FSA has to offer. Please also refer to the attached Terms and Conditions statement.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Strengths and Experience.

Full details of the selection process can be found in the attached candidate pack.

Application and shortlisting

You will be asked to provide personal details (not seen by the Panel) and to confirm your eligibility to apply for the role.

You will then be asked to complete an application which will be used to assess you against the following essential criteria.

Essential criteria

Experience

· Policy Development: Demonstrable experience delivering policy outcomes in a complex strategic context, working with closely with a range of experts to deliver evidence-based recommendations. (Lead criteria)

· Leadership: Ability to lead and manage a multi-disciplinary team, making the most of varied skills and experience and creating an environment where all team members are equally valued and enabled to contribute.

· Collaboration: Excellent collaboration and interpersonal skills,