Food Standards Scotland, UK

Organisational background

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is the public sector food body for Scotland, established by the Food (Scotland) Act 2015. We are here to ensure that information and advice on food safety and standards, nutrition and labelling is independent, consistent, evidence-based, and consumer-focused.

Organisation aims & mission

FSS is an independent public body working for consumers in Scotland. On 1 April 2015 we took on the functions that had previously been carried out in Scotland by the Food Standards Agency. Our primary concern is consumer protection – making sure that your food is safe to eat, ensuring you know what you are eating, and improving nutrition. We do this by developing policies, providing advice, keeping consumers informed, and ensuring the enforcement of food regulations.

Everyone who works with us plays their part in our shared aims – safe food and healthy eating. We employ food safety, food standards and nutrition experts including scientists, front line inspectors, enforcement and policy delivery teams and administrators.

We are an Equal Opportunities employer and we operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for people with disabilities who meet the minimum published criteria. We are a Disability Confident Employer and aim to treat everyone fairly and with respect.

We believe our workforce should reflect the people of Scotland. We treat all staff equally, irrespective of sex, marital status, age, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief, working pattern, gender identity or caring responsibility. We employ people on the basis of their merit – their skills, aptitudes, and attitude.

We value our employees and ensure that there are opportunities for growth.

• A self starter, you will be passionate about protecting public health and animal welfare.
• You’ll be knowledgeable in the animal health and welfare role of the OV, and be good at developing relationships with food businesses to ensure compliance.
• You’ll be responsible and accountable for your own health and wellbeing, aware of personal strengths and take pride and responsibility for your performance at work in response to constructive feedback.
• You will be adaptable and embrace new ways of doing things, contributing ideas and energy to continuous improvement.
• You will take control of your professional development and support the development of others when needed.
• You will be engaging and credible with stakeholders, and communicate well verbally and in written work, to meet the needs of a range of audiences, ensuring objectives and outcomes are achieved.
• You will consider and communicate the wider impact of decisions on wider policies and programmes.
• You will use evidence to assess, measure and evaluate projects, engaging with analytical specialists at appropriate stages.
• You will interrogate analytical and management data to draw out key messages and findings to support decisions.