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, 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
- Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in human nutrition or a closely related subject with a significant element of public health nutrition
- a minimum of one-year relevant postgraduate experience
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
1. Making Effective Decisions
2. Communicating and Influencing
3. Working Together
4. Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
5. Candidates will be assessed on their critical and analytical scientific skills, including the application of basic epidemiological and statistical knowledge.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �32,188, Department of Health and Social Care contributes �9,324 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
6. Learning and development tailored to your role
7. An environment with flexible working options
8. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
9. A with an employer contribution of