A regulatory role at the UK Food Standards Agency delivering and monitoring shellfish hygiene controls at primary production — classifying harvesting areas, sanitary surveys, and monitoring of biotoxins, phytoplankton and chemical contaminants. Requires food-law official controls experience and a biological science background; UK-based with offices in Belfast, Cardiff and York.
Compensation
£44.1K / yr
Location
We offer great flexible working opportunities, and have offices in Belfast, Cardiff and York.Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas. Travel within the UK will be
Work setup
Not specified
Seniority
Not specified
Employment
Contract
Experience
5+ years
Category
Project management
Posted
Skills
stakeholder-management
Must have
Experience of regulatory delivery, directly or through a delivery partner, in the context of food law official controls (lead criteria)
A degree and post-graduate experience in a relevant biological science discipline
Proven excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with experience building effective stakeholder relationships
Strong analytical skills, weighing different sources of information to underpin operational decisions and make clear recommendations to senior officials
Ability to adapt quickly to a fast-changing environment, show resilience, and manage multiple workstreams while maintaining quality
Must have or be able to achieve National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) level, including UK residency (3 of last 5 years)
Full description
Job grade: Senior Executive Officer
Contract type: Permanent, Fixed term
Length of employment: Permanent AND This post is a temporary Fixed Term appointment available until the return of the substantive post holder, estimated to be 14/01/2028. There may be the potential, but no guarantee, of extension or permanency.
Business area: FSA - System Resilience - Regulatory Delivery – Compliance
Type of role: Operational Delivery, Science
Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time, Homeworking, Job share, Compressed hours
Number of jobs available: 2
Location
We offer great flexible working opportunities, and have offices in Belfast, Cardiff and York.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas.
Travel within the UK will be required on an occasional basis, possibly with overnight stays.
About the job
Job summary
The FSA is 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.
Do you have experience delivering food law official controls, either directly or through a delivery partner? Can you combine scientific expertise with strong judgement, stakeholder management and clear recommendations?
About the role
As a Shellfish Delivery Manager in the Food Standards Agency’s Shellfish Delivery Team, you will play an important role in delivering and monitoring shellfish hygiene controls at primary production.
Available positions
We are recruiting for two positions: one permanent and one temporary. The temporary position will include line management responsibilities.
You will help deliver the FSA’s statutory responsibilities for shellfish official controls, including the classification and review of shellfish harvesting areas, sanitary surveys and oversight of monitoring programmes for phytoplankton, biotoxins and chemical contaminants. You will work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners, using scientific evidence and analysis to support effective decisions and the continued development of shellfish official control delivery
Job description
Working as part of a team with shared responsibilities, you will lead on aspects of the shellfish official control programme and build effective relationships with policy and delivery colleagues, Cefas, local authorities and other partners. You will support the management of delivery arrangements, horizon scan for emerging issues affecting marine primary production, and provide scientific input and challenge to ensure relevant monitoring, research and other work meets appropriate scientific standards.
Shellfish Delivery Manager at Food Standards Agency (We offer great flexible working opportunities, and have offices in Belfast, Cardiff and York.Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not overseas. Travel within the UK will be) — aijobsearch
You will assess different sources of information, develop realistic options and provide clear verbal and written recommendations. You will also contribute expert insight to work reviewing the future delivery of shellfish official controls and respond to queries and briefing requests. The role requires experience of regulatory delivery in food law official controls, strong communication and analytical skills, and a degree with post-graduate experience in a relevant biological science discipline
Working pattern guidance
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)
Applicants who wish to work 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.
Please read before applying
One post is a temporary Fixed Term appointment available until the return of the substantive post holder, estimated to be 14/01/2028 There may be the potential, but no guarantee, of extension or permanency.
Candidates that are already established Civil Servants or from non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) 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.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 Candidate Pack 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.
Qualifications
A degree and post-graduate experience in a relevant biological science discipline
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
A degree and post-graduate experience in a relevant biological science discipline
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £44,087, Food Standards Agency contributes £12,772 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).
Please take a look at the Working for the Food Standards Agency , Civil Service Careers to find out about the benefits the FSA has to offer
Please also refer to the Terms and Conditions statement attached to this advert.
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 Experience and Technical skills.
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 criteriaExperience
Lead criteria: Experience of regulatory delivery, whether directly or through a delivery partner, in the context of food law official controls
Proven experience of excellent interpersonal, oral and written communications with experience of building effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
Strong analytical skills, weighing up different sources of information to underpin operational decisions and make clear recommendations to senior officials
Ability to adapt quickly and effectively to a fast-changing environment and show high levels of resilience. This includes the ability to confidently manage different workstreams at once while maintaining a high quality of work.
Technical
A degree and post-graduate experience in a relevant biological science discipline
Lead Criteria An initial sift will take place on the Lead Criteria.
In the event that we receive a large number of applications, the minimum pass mark for the Lead Criteria may be raised at shortlisting stage. Candidates who apply under the DCS, GPTW or RIS schemes and meet the minimum requirements will be unaffected by the pass mark raise.
Interview
If you are successful at the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview.
Assessment
At interview, we will assess you against the experience and technical requirements of the role.
Technical
A degree and post-graduate experience in a relevant biological science discipline
Experience
Lead criteria: Experience of regulatory delivery, whether directly or through a delivery partner, in the context of food law official controls
Proven experience of excellent interpersonal, oral and written communications with experience of building effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
Strong analytical skills, weighing up different sources of information to underpin operational decisions and make clear recommendations to senior officials
Ability to adapt quickly and effectively to a fast-changing environment and show high levels of resilience. This includes the ability to confidently manage different workstreams at once while maintaining a high quality of work.
Appointment order
The highest-scoring candidate will be offered the permanent position, and the next highest-scoring candidate will be offered the temporary position.
Expected Timeline
Advert closes: 15/11/2026
Sift: Expected to take place: 16/11/2026
Final panel interview: Expected to take place: 30/11/2026
Interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams. (If you do not have the Microsoft Teams application installed on your computer, you can join on the web without installing the application).
Please note that indicated dates may be subject to change.
Appointment will be subject to the candidate having, or being able to achieve, National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) level.
All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK.
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK at least 3 of the last 5 years, (although there are some exceptions e.g. if you have been serving abroad with HM Armed Forces).
Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
Checks will be made against:
a departmental/company records check which will include, for example personal files, staff reports, sick leave returns and security records
a check of both spent and unspent criminal records
a check of credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
a check of Security Service (MI5) records
exceptionally, if there are any unresolved security concerns about the individual, or if recommended by the Security Service, the individual may also be interviewed
in the event of any unresolved financial concerns, the individual may also be required to complete a separate financial questionnaire so that a full review of personal finances can be carried out
checks may extend to third parties included on the security questionnaire.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to the Food Standards Agency 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
Reserve List
A reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.
Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
Visa SponsorshipPlease note that the FSA does not offer visa sponsorship and cannot provide advice on visa applicationsMaking a complaint
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated fairly in accordance with the principles, and you wish to make a complaint, you should email the FSA’s Director of People at jo.bushnell@food.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you can contact the Civil Service Commission.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
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).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the
Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the
Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Name : Mariam Aleem
Email : mariam.aleem@food.gov.uk
Recruitment team
Email : hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk
Further information
If you wish to raise a complaint then please email hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk in the first instance.
Attachments
Candidate Pack - Shellfish Delivery Manager Opens in new window (pdf, 4955kB) Terms and Conditions as at April 2020 Opens in new window (pdf, 42kB)