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.
Ability: You will be asked to complete an online Civil Service Verbal test and, if successful, will continue with your application.
You will then be asked to complete an application which will be used to assess you against the following essential criteria.
Essential criteria
Experience
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Lead criteria: Experience of analysing and using a range of credible information sources, to identify and assess options or potential to reach sound conclusions and the ability to communicate these clearly to inform decision making.
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Experience of building and maintaining positive relationships and working collaboratively with a range of colleagues and other stakeholders.
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Experience of communicating verbally and in writing to a range of audiences including senior colleagues, consumers and industry stakeholders using different communication methods and tools including experience of drafting briefings or reports.
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Experience of prioritising and managing workloads to deliver quality outputs to agreed timelines.
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 successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview in which we will assess you against the following Experience requirements of the role and Civil Service Behaviours.
Experience
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Experience of analysing and using a range of credible information sources, to identify and assess options or potential to reach sound conclusions and the ability to communicate these clearly to inform decision making.
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Experience of communicating verbally and in writing to a range of audiences including senior colleagues, consumers and industry stakeholders using different communication methods and tools including experience of drafting briefings or reports.
Behaviours
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Working Together
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Delivering at Pace
Full details of the positive indicators being assessed for each Behaviour can be found in the Candidate Pack.
Note: Criteria are listed in order of priority to help distinguish merit order of joint scoring candidates at both sift and interview.
Expected Timeline
Candidate Information Session: 27 May 2026 (15:00)
Advert closes: 8 June 2026 (23:55)
Sift: Expected to take place from 9 June 2026
Final panel interview: Expected to take place during week commencing 29 June 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.
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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reserve List
A reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made. We expect further vacancies to arise and will look to draw from the Reserve list as positions become available in our teams. Posts will be offered in strict merit order.
Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that the FSA does not offer visa sponsorship and cannot provide advice on visa applications
Making 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 Commissions 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 FSAs Director of People at [email protected]. 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.
