Job Summary

The FSA is a non-ministerial department of over 1300 people, with a big vision – to drive change in the food system so that it delivers “food we can trust”. Our primary goal is to continue to protect public health and consumers’ wider interest in food. As we have now exited the EU the FSA faces a significant period of change and activity.

It’s more important than ever that our Agency continues to hold food produced in the UK to high standards, so that we can retain and grow our reputation as a robust and trustworthy regulator.

This approach starts at the very source of our food. Through our presence at the slaughterhouses that first introduce meat into our food systems, we can ensure these systems have the best possible start in providing safe, hygienic and trustworthy meat. Our aim is to make sure that our food is the best that it can be. Animal hygiene and welfare is the very first step on the route to the nation’s dinner tables, and at the FSA we work hard to keep Britain’s interests in mind even at these early stages.

Home based

Job description

Our veterinary auditors are a key part of this process, providing on-the-ground veterinary experience in slaughterhouses and enabling the FSA to monitor both the hygiene and the welfare of the animals that are being used for food and feed across the UK. Through the auditing of food safety management systems and animal welfare compliance, veterinary auditors provide an invaluable service to the British public, as well as monitoring the standards of meat that we export to other countries.

The successful candidate will be able to present and promote the FSA’s priorities to both the staff and managers of food business operators and other stakeholders. The impact of your work will be tangible, as you work alongside the FSA’s local teams to meet Agency targets and inform the development of policy through your findings and reports.

We are looking for decisive and focused individuals who are passionate about the chance to positively affect the quality of the food we eat as a nation. Good communicators with strong interpersonal skills are required to fully demonstrate and share the values we hold food business operators to. If you are looking for the opportunity to do work that matters for a progressive and respected government department and can bring your own high standards and keen eye to the role, we look forward to your application.

The roles are based as follows:
- One in Wales and West region (clusters 27 and 30).
- One in The North region, Cluster 6 ( Around Preston)
-One in the East region, Clusters 19/18 ( Around London)

You will need to live within a distance of 60 miles or 90 minutes by road (one way) commuting of the above location.

Although this role is Home based, this role involves significant travel within the Wales and West Region. Overnight stays and occasional work outside normal working hours (including night-time will form an essential part of the role. Some travelling outside the region will also be required occasionally.

Responsibilities

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

Full UK Driving Licence

Qualifications

Fully qualified as Official Veterinary Surgeon in Red Meat, White Meat and/or Meat Products

Memberships

Membership to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• • KNOWLEDGE OF THE RELEVANT VETERINARY REGULATORY FRAMEWORK (E.G. PUBLIC HEALTH AND/OR ANIMAL WELFARE.
• • ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND AND APPLY VETERINARY RISK ASSESSMENT

Benefits

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 Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack.

For your personal statement, please provide detailed evidence of your:

• Experience of food hygiene or food / feed law enforcement including meat and other product of animal origin.
• Comprehensive and practical understanding of the legislation for food, other product of animal origin, animal health and welfare and animal by-products.
• Comprehensive and practical understanding of official guidance and the regulatory systems for delivering official controls.

The selection process will consist of shortlisting against the above essential criteria, and if successful you will be invited to the final selection stage consisting of a behaviour and veterinary based

The FSA is committed to being an inclusive employer with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. All appointments are made on merit.

We actively review the deployment of talent on a periodic basis in the interests of optimising personal development and the achievement of business plans.

Our candidate pack details the benefits that the FSA has to offer. Please also refer to the attached terms and conditions statement.