Higher Scientific Officer (SACN secretariat and research)
Department of Health and Social Care
Apply before 11:55 pm on Thursday 3rd October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.
The Health Improvement Directorate, part of the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) within DHSC, leads on evidence based public health policy and programmes to prevent and reduce the health and social impact caused by drugs, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, unhealthy diets, obesity and physical inactivity.
We have a hugely challenging work programme, which if successful will drive real change:
- If everyone ate in line with our dietary advice, we would increase population life expectancy by eight years
- We are creating the first smokefree generation – the biggest public health intervention in a generation.
- We are reducing alcohol and gambling harms.
- We are expanding drug and alcohol treatment and recovery support.
Obesity and poor diet account for around half of years lost and years lived with disability from all modifiable factors in England. The Health Improvement Directorate has two divisions working to improve nutrition and address excess weight. The Nutrition Evidence, Surveys and Translation (NEST) Division is responsible for nutrition, food environment and childhood obesity surveillance, providing scientific advice on diet, nutrition and obesity, and supporting translation of this advice into policy for DHSC, other government departments and across the public health system. NEST works closely with the Healthy Weight and Nutrition Division who lead on diet, obesity and physical activity policy.
The Nutrition Science team provides support to the Department’s independent scientific advisory committees - the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and the UK Nutrition and Health Claims Committee (UKNHCC) - and has responsibility for dietary surveys such as the National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) and Infant Feeding Survey (IFS).
This advert relates to 2 roles in the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) team. 3 further roles across the surveys and reformulation teams in NEST have been advertised separately please see campaign 370249
Job description
This post is in the Nutrition Science team that provides the secretariat for SACN and its Subgroup on Maternal and Child Nutrition (SMCN).
The post holder will provide scientific support to the work of the committee. This will involve using technical knowledge of nutrition science, critical analysis and writing skills to produce committee papers and related documents. The post holder will need to co-ordinate with other members of SACN’s secretariat to ensure that the work is done to the agreed standard and timetable. The post holder will need to work closely with the external scientific experts, particularly those who are members of SACN and its sub and working groups. The post holder will also provide advice, based on sound scientific evidence, to colleagues in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities.
OHID and other Government Departments and to other external stakeholders.
Key work areas in the team at present include: nutrition and maternal health; plant-based drinks; sweeteners and processed foods.
Person specification
We are seeking an individual with:
- a degree or postgraduate qualification in nutrition, with a significant element of public health nutrition
- at least one year relevant post-graduate work experience
- an excellent understanding of the role of food and nutrition in public health.
The post will involve interrogating the scientific basis for public health nutrition and supporting the development of evidence-based policy and advice in this field. The post holder will work alongside other team members to prepare evidence summaries and discussion papers for SACN meetings; drafting minutes of meetings; and assisting in the drafting of SACN reports. The post also requires drafting responses to general and media enquiries, Parliamentary Questions and Ministers correspondence on specialist nutrition issues.
Main responsibilities include:
- Providing support to SACN and related sub and working groups, including drafting of meeting minutes, contributing to the preparation of evidence summaries and discussion papers for meetings to support SACN risk assessments, and assisting in the drafting of SACN reports.
- Providing expert advice and support on nutrition science across OHID (primarily the Health Improvement directorate), DHSC and wider government.
- Identifying and evaluating other sources of food and diet information and incorporating these into the team’s work.
- Working with analysts and other colleagues across OHID in the interpretation and use of food and dietary information to support public health nutrition objectives.
- Preparing briefings, evaluations of evidence and other material to support evidence-based policy development and monitor progress toward public health nutrition objectives.
- Drafting responses to general and media enquiries, Parliamentary Questions and Ministers correspondence on relevant nutrition issues.
- Support Grade team leaders in committee management (includes arranging, and managing minutes of, meetings; member appraisals and recruitment and recording of declarations of interests)
Key skills and experience required for the role
Essential criteria:
- Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in human nutrition or a closely related subject with a significant element of public health nutrition
- Relevant postgraduate experience
- Demonstrable understanding of the dietary aspects of public health
- Proven critical and analytical scientific skills, including experience of reviewing scientific literature and experience of applying basic epidemiological and statistical knowledge
- Experience of technical report writing and supporting translation into population dietary recommendations
- Experience of working with high-profile scientific committee and/or senior scientists
- Awareness of nutrition legislation and policy development processes and the translation of evidence for policy use.
Desirable criteria:
- Registered nutritionist - UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN); ideally public health or nutrition science (on the UKVRN) or the experience to achieve registration
- Experience of Parliamentary processes, e.g. preparing high quality responses to parliamentary questions on nutrition science.
Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds. Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support.
You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas and some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need.
There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.
Qualifications
- a minimum of one-year relevant postgraduate experience
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Candidates will be assessed on their critical and analytical scientific skills, including the application of basic epidemiological and statistical knowledge.
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Sift date: W/C 07/10/2024
Interview date: expected W/C 21/10/2024
Interview location: Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
The available interview slots will be released with the sift scores.
Applications will be sifted on CV, Statement of Suitability
Please use your CV to set out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. These can be found in the ‘key skills and experience required for the role’ section of the advert. Please also include a list of your relevant qualifications.
Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 1250 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert.
This should include (but not be limited to):
* details of relevant academic and postgraduate experience to demonstrate your understanding of the dietary aspects of public health.
* evidence to demonstrate critical and analytical scientific skills, including experience reviewing scientific literature.
An initial sift based on CV may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview
At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours and Technical skills
Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available.
Candidates who narrowly miss the required standard for this role may be considered for other roles in the department at a lower grade, these candidates are considered to be a ‘near miss’ and will be appointed in merit order.
Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Qualifications required for the role will be checked and verified by the vacancy holder as part of the onboarding process. You may also be asked to provide evidence that any qualifications obtained overseas are equivalent to those advertised.
This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Terms and Conditions
Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.
New Entrants to the Civil Service
New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:
- Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
- Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
- Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
- Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
- Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
- Probation: 6 month probation period
Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion
All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion
If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DHSC from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be
carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Rachel Elsom
- Email : Rachel.elsom@dhsc.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dhscrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/
