Senior Public Health Nutrition Advisor

This is an exciting opportunity for a nutritionist with an interest in public health. The post holder will have responsibility for supporting the Chief Nutritionist and Head of Public Health Nutrition by leading a programme of work to deliver the objectives set out within the FSS Public Health Nutrition Strategy. This includes the provision, translation and dissemination of the science and evidence base for public health nutrition policy development.

Overview

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has a wide and diverse remit, encompassing policy, science and operational delivery across food and feed safety, standards and authenticity, together with public health nutrition. Our vision is a safe, healthy and sustainable food environment that benefits and protects the health and wellbeing of everyone in Scotland.

With respect to diet and health improvement, FSS has a statutory duty improve the extent to which the population in Scotland have diets conducive to good health. This includes ensuring that information and advice on food safety and standards, nutrition and labelling is independent, consistent, evidence-based and consumer-focused

This is an exciting opportunity for a nutritionist with an interest in public health. The post holder will have responsibility for supporting the Chief Nutritionist and Head of Public Health Nutrition by leading a programme of work to deliver the objectives set out within the FSS Public Health Nutrition Strategy. This includes the provision, translation and dissemination of the science and evidence base for public health nutrition policy development.

Whilst keeping abreast of nutrition science, and policy emerging from other government departments, the post holder will work in partnership with Scottish Government to support development of and monitor the implementation of measures to improve the food environment and dietary intakes in Scotland.

The role requires collaborative working with colleagues across Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, the food industry and a range of other stakeholders.

• Lead a team of Public Health Nutritionists with responsibility for the provision of scientific, technical and public health nutrition advice to support the FSS Public Health Nutrition strategy and advice to Scottish Government;

• Work in partnership with Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland and the food industry to lead development of and monitor the implementation of actions within relevant national policies;

• Develop and maintain a robust dietary surveillance and monitoring programme encompassing elements of dietary intake and food purchasing practices relating to the population living in Scotland;

• Analyse and interpret of a range of information sources to target policy and intervention approaches aimed at improving the diet of the population living in Scotland;

• Disseminate and present scientific and other appropriate evidence on diet and health, relevant to the population living in Scotland, in appropriate formats for different stakeholder groups including Scottish Ministers, the FSS Board, consumers and stakeholders;

• Communicate public health nutrition advice for consumers, stakeholders and government;

• Collaborate with FSS colleagues to support a range of diet related activities within FSS and with partners across government, associated agencies, the food industry and other stakeholders;

• Provide support to the FSS Chief Nutritionist and Head of Public Health Nutrition.

Competencies

Analysis and Use of Evidence

Communications and Engagement

People Management

Improving Performance

Qualifications

You must hold a minimum of a degree relevant to nutrition or public health. The successful candidate should also be registered or eligible for registration with the Association for Nutrition.

Essential Criteria

1. Proven ability to critically analyse data relating to diet and health, interpret and apply the scientific evidence base relevant to public health nutrition.

2. Strong oral and written communication skills with proven ability to clearly convey complex information about diet and health to a wide range of audiences, including senior colleagues, external stakeholders and consumers.

3. Strong project management and organisational skills and an ability to balance competing demands to ensure commitments are delivered in a timely manner.

4. Proven ability to create and maintain collaborative working relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholder with differing views and at all levels of seniority.