Head of Scientific Centres of Excellence, External - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Verified Company
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Tom O´Connor

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Tom O´Connor

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Description

Details:


Reference number:


Salary:

- £62,605 - £75,965
  • National: £62,605 £70,319, London: £67,640 £75,965. For details of our pay on appointment policy, please see below under the heading 'Salary'.
  • A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
    Job grade:
  • Grade 6
    Contract type:
  • Permanent
    Business area:
  • Core DEFRA
    Type of role:
  • Analytical
    Working pattern:
  • Flexible working, Fulltime, Job share, Parttime
    Number of jobs available:
  • 1Contents
Location

About the job


Benefits:

Things you need to know

Location

  • Bristol, London, NewcastleuponTyne, YorkAbout the job

Job summary:


The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy.

Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.


You will be a part of the Central Science Division (CSD) within the Science and Analysis Group which sits at the heart of the Department's science community, supporting the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) and Deputy CSA in all aspects of their work.

The Division leads on cross cutting science issues, representing the Defra science community and bringing forward new and emerging science and technology across the Department.

The CSD is a friendly and welcoming team.

Our remit reaches across the Defra organisations, providing leadership, guidance, and advice to ensure quality science is the foundation of policy making.

The vision of the group is to put science at the heart of the way that Defra works. This needs to be supported by strong leadership, strategic direction and effective partnership working.


This role provides leadership and expert knowledge to strengthen collaborations across Defra group and beyond in support of our ambitious goals.

In particular it considers how innovation in environmental monitoring technologies can transform the way we deliver these, bringing together the latest developments in eDNA and 'omics technologies with earth observation technologies and AI driven analytical approaches to deliver national and international objectives

  • Encouraging diverse applicants_

Job description:


The role also involves coordination of the CSA's input to a wide range of international forums, requiring close partnership working with teams across core Defra and our Arms Length Bodies.

It also provides senior science cover for working groups overseeing priority geographic interactions including USA, Brazil and the Indo-Pacific, ensuring Defra group's science offer is effectively used to inform negotiations, develop partnership agreements, and further government's ambitions to become a Science and Technology Superpower.

This post will lead on four key functions within the CSD.

  • External science expert advice leading the team which oversees how scientific expert panels constructively support and challenge Defra's research programmes and the way that evidence is used to underpin our policies. This includes bringing in external science expertise into the Department and supporting the CSA and Deputy CSA in engagement activities across government and with a variety of external stakeholders and expert groups including Science Advisory Council (SAC).
  • International Science Partnerships this supports the CSA in coordinating Defra Group's Horizon Europe Participation, and on key Defra International science functions for several international programmes including Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C) and Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC).
  • Lead three teams ( 16 FTEs ( 4 G7, 6 SEOs, 3 HSOs, 3 SEFS). Set direction, manage and develop teams.

Person specification:


An experienced scientist with knowledge of how science and evidence are used across Government and the role of R&D and expert independent challenge in policymaking and delivery.

Ability to adapt to changing priorities and multiple work streams.


Knowledge and experience of wider UK science landscape and strong science engagement skills, including the use of scientific collaborations with the wider academic and research network both at UK and international level to address common problems and to build constructive national and international partnerships.


Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), experienced at engaging with science and non-science colleagues at all levels with a strong ability to persuade and influence others and to translate science to non-technical audiences.

Membership of the science and engineering profession and a background in science are essential.


Qualifications:


Memberships:


  • Membership of the Science and Engineering Profession
    Behaviours:
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selec
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