Vacancy -- Appointment of a Member - Welsh Food Advisory Committee (Welsh Desirable)

Vacancy details

Welsh Food Advisory Committee
Committee meetings are usually held in Cardiff; however, there may be occasions when meetings are held throughout Wales.
£3,885 per annum  
21
year

Function of body

The Welsh Food Advisory Committee (WFAC) acts as an advisory body to the Food Standards Agency. Members of the WFAC are appointed by the Minister responsible for the Food Standards Agency in accordance with the Food Standards Act 1999. The statutory role is defined as follows:

"There shall be an advisory committee for Wales for the purpose of giving advice or information to the Agency about matters connected with its functions (including, in particular, matters affecting or otherwise relating to Wales).

WFAC was established in 2000 to provide advice and information to the FSA. Such advice and information will be on food safety, food standards and allied subjects, particularly as they relate to Wales. The Agency is required to take account of such advice or information that is reasonable or practical, whether or not given at the Agency's request.  WFAC members are appointed by the Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and the Welsh Language in accordance with the Food Standards Act 1999, to provide a wide range of expertise, experience and practical knowledge. 

 

Role description

WFAC acts as an advisory body to the FSA.  The Committee’s term of reference is:

 

  • to give advice or information to the Agency about matters connected with its functions including matters affecting or otherwise relating to Wales.

Welsh language skills

The Welsh Government acknowledges the importance of developing and growing bilingual capabilities in public appointments in Wales, and welcomes applications from candidates who demonstrate their capability to work in both English and Welsh.  The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the recruiting body of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.
Desirable
Can read simple material on everyday topics with understanding
Can write simple work-related correspondence
Can understand basic conversations about everyday topics
Can hold simple work-related conversations

Person specification

To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment.

 

Essential Criteria

Essential skills and knowledge

  • Demonstrate a current and continuing knowledge and understanding of food safety and standards issues, including policy development and the stakeholder landscape, as they relate to Wales.
  • Strong analytical, strategic and decision-making skills, able to weigh complex evidence and explain the basis for the advice.
  • Have good judgement, a high level of integrity and public responsibility, coupled with the ability to participate in making difficult decisions.
  • Ability to interpret and communicate information effectively orally, in writing and through a variety of media channels.
  • Ability to serve either without conflict of interest or to demonstrate how they would deal with any potential real or perceived conflict.
  • Ability to consider and understand scientific advice, evidence and argument.
  • Commitment to consumer issues or bring food/consumer insights within the Wales context.
  • Demonstrate relevant experience in one (or more) of the following:

 

The Committee is seeking individuals who can demonstrate relevant experience in one or more of the following:

  • Consumer interests (e.g. consumer research or engagement with consumers through various channels, including social media)
  • Food supply (e.g. catering/restaurant/hotel sector, community food initiatives, policy making in related areas)
  • Communications (e.g. broadcasting, press or social media)
  • Science (e.g. Microbiology, Medical, Epidemiology, Veterinary, Public Health or Social Science particularly behaviour change)
  • Food Policy (e.g. food system governance, standards and assurance)
  • Food Law (e.g. consumer protection, food fraud, food law enforcement,)
  • Education/Academia (e.g. researching or teaching food systems and safety)
  • Food Production (e.g. primary or industrial food or feed production)
  • Relevant public bodies (e.g. public health).

Interview dates

26 June 2023
30 June 2023

Closing date

30/04/2023, 16:00

Additional information

As part of its commitment to openness, a minimum of four meetings per year are held in public, and any interested member of the public or press can attend. During each meeting there is an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions of speakers and Committee members. These meetings may be held at the Food Standards Agency in Wales office in Cardiff; however, Committee meetings may also be held throughout Wales, and members must be willing to travel accordingly.  Because these meetings are held in public, and to a tight timescale, Committee members need to be able to speak clearly and confidently in public and be able to make their contributions succinctly. Discussions that deal with internal Committee business such as organisational issues and future work plans, are generally held at the Committee’s planning sessions and are conducted in closed session.

The role involves a time commitment of 21 days per annum, including Committee meetings and preparation time. You may also be required to undertake other Committee duties elsewhere as the need arises, for example; contributing to a WFAC sub-committee established to consider a particular subject area or representing WFAC at another event. All reasonable expenses for travel and subsistence will be reimbursed.

The appointment is usually for 2-3 years initially and can be renewable for a further term on the recommendation of the Chair and subject to satisfactory performance during the initial period of office. The final decisions on appointments and re-appointments are made by the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing. There is no automatic presumption of reappointment and there is a strong presumption that no individual should serve more than two terms or serve in any one post for more than 10 years.

How to apply

To apply for this role, click on the ‘Apply’ button below. The first time you apply for a post, you will need to complete a registration form for the Welsh Government’s online application system.  You will only need to register once, and you will be able to keep yourself updated on the progress of your application, and any other applications you make, via your registered account.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to access the application form.  To apply you will need to submit two supporting documents. The first, a document outlining how your knowledge, skills and experiences meet the criteria for the role as outlined in the information for candidates.  This document should be no more than 2 sides of A4.  Your application may be rejected if you exceed this limit.  The second document is a full, up to date CV.  The two documents should be uploaded to the ‘Reasons for applying’ section of the online application form.

In your application, you will also be asked to provide details of any activities which have helped you to develop skills that would be useful in a public appointment role, and list the organisations for which you undertook these activities.  We also need to know about any political activity that you’ve undertaken over the last 5 years. 

It is recommended that you register for an account and access the application form as soon as possible so that you see how the application form is structured, before starting to prepare your evidence.  You don’t have to complete the application form all in one go.  You can save your responses, and log in and out as required, until you’re ready to submit – just follow the guidance in the application form.

If you’d like to apply for this opportunity in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

If you need any further assistance in applying for this role, please contact the Welsh Government’s Public Appointments Team on  PublicAppointments@gov.wales.

For further information about Public Appointments in Wales, please visit www.gov.wales/publicappointments

This vacancy is closed to applications.