How to apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement of no more than 1,000 words that directly addresses the Qualification and Professional Experience criteria listed in the Success Profile above. Your statement should clearly demonstrate how you meet the specified experience requirements, and your CV must confirm your qualifications. General or unrelated statements, or failure to evidence the required qualification criteria, may result in your application not being considered.
During the interview and assessment process we will test your Skills, Experience and Behaviours aligned to this role.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples 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and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If you are invited to the next stage, the assessment process will include an interview with a short presentation and a psychological assessment.
Assessments are scheduled for w/cs 10 & 17 August 2026; however, this may be subject to change.
The Final Interview Panel will take place on Thursday 27th August 2026, in person at Pilgrim House, Old Ford Road, Aberdeen, AB11 5RL. The current Hiring Manager for this role is the Chief Executive of FSS, Geoff Ogle. Geoff is due to retire in August 2026, and a recruitment campaign is now underway to appoint his successor. Once the new Chief Executive is in post, they will assume responsibility for chairing the recruitment process for this role. The other panel Members are:
Professor Calum Semple, Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland Scottish Government
Dr Jacqueline McElhiney, Head of Science Division Food Standards Scotland
Ms Dawn Davies, HR Manager Food Standards Scotland
Recruitment Principles
As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases.
Interview Expenses
Any travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the selection process are the responsibility of the applicant.
About us
We are Scotlands public sector food body. Established as a non-ministerial office to protect the health and wellbeing of consumers through three statutory objectives set under the Food (Scotland) Act 2015: to protect the public from risks to health which may arise in connection with the consumption of food, to improve the extent to which members of the public have diets which are conducive to good health, and to protect the other interests of consumers in relation to food.
As a body corporate, FSS is governed by a Board of 8 people appointed by the Scottish Ministers. Our remit covers all aspects of the food chain that impacts public health. Collaboration is key to our work.
We deliver official controls for meat, eggs, wine and animal feed and, working in partnership with the 32 local authorities in Scotland, we regulate and monitor all parts of the food chain to enforce food hygiene and standards across the country. We have recently launched a transformational change programme (SAFER) focused on redesign through digital transformation, stronger national coordination and learning from international best practice.
Since EU exit, our role includes functions and decisions that previously rested at European level, delivered in close partnership with the Food Standards Agency. We are jointly responsible for the process for granting market authorisations for the sale of certain food and feed products in Great Britain.
Our role in dietary health policy is focused on building the knowledge and evidence base to support and inform Ministers, delivery partners and consumers about diets that will support achievement of the Scottish Dietary Goals.
For more information, please visit our website The home of food and feed safety and healthy eating , Food Standards Scotland
Working pattern
This role is offered on the basis of a 0.6 FTE (three days a week) secondment on current employment terms for a minimum of 2 years with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of 5 years. The duration of any secondment should be discussed with your employer in advance of applying.
As this post is offered only on a secondment basis, the salary will be based on existing terms and conditions between the Scottish Government and your current employer.
Location
In line with our current ways of working, the successful candidate will work on a hybrid basis. Our colleagues use a mix of office based and remote working (home based). Meetings are held via MS Teams and in person. The post holder will be required to attend the following meetings in-person: board meetings and seminars (up to appx 8 meetings per year), management meetings (up to appx 4 meetings per year), and science team meetings (up to appx 4 meetings per year), with these either being held in Aberdeen or at a Scottish Government office in Edinburgh or Glasgow. Attendance and travel to offsite meetings, conferences and events will also be required (this list is not exhaustive).
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
In addition to the standard pre-employment checks, this vacancy will also require all candidates to obtain National Security Vetting (NSV) at Security Check (SC) clearance level. This type of check normally includes meeting a minimum UK residency period, which for SC level is 5 years.
Further information about NSV checks can be found on the UK Government website - National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Equality statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
If you would like further information or would like to discuss the role, please contact [email protected]
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
