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Chief Scientist

Department:

Closing Date:

Health and Safety Executive

28/11/2005

Salary:

Salary Details:

£100,000

This post falls within Senior Civil Service (SCS) Pay Band 2. The annual salary will be up to £100,000 (more may be available for an exceptional candidate). Annual pay awards, including the opportunity to earn non consolidated bonuses, will be decided by HSE’s Pay Committee within the wider SCS pay framework.

Location:

Nationality Eligibility:

Southwark Bridge, London

Merseyside, North West

UK National

Appointment Terms:

Working Arrangement:

This is a permanent appointment in the HSE that will attract Senior Civil Service (SCS) terms and conditions. The position is SCS Pay Band 2.

Full Time

Vacancy Description

Job Purpose

The Chief Scientist will be responsible for the procurement of all scientific and engineering advice to the Health and Safety Executive and Commission. The postholder will be the budget holder (currently about £40m) for all commissioned research and support and will oversee the professional standards and development of all HSE’s scientific staff (about 700 people). The Chief Scientist will be the director of HSE’s Corporate Science and Analytical Services (CoSAS) Directorate and be a member of the HSE Board.

Job Title

Chief Scientist and Director of CoSAS

Accountabilities and Strategic Relationships

The Chief Scientist reports directly to the Chief Executive of HSE. On the wider issues of science in government he responds to the Chief Scientific Adviser (Sir David King) in the Office of Science & Technology.

Principal Responsibilities

  • Develop and supervise the effective implementation of HSC/E’s Science Strategy, including ensuring that research and support work procured by HSE is of the right quantity and quality, and that it is properly prioritised and targeted.
  • Manage the budget and arrangements for commissioned research and support work.
  • Ensure that HSC/E’s Strategy and Business Plans are properly informed by effective, externally moderated horizon scanning of scientific, technical and associated developments.
  • Encourage the development of the "informed customer" for scientific advice in HSE and promote and monitor compliance with the Chief Scientific Adviser’s Guidelines 2005 on Scientific Advice and Policy Making and the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees.
  • Be HSC/E’s senior representative on Science and Engineering in government and externally and establish and maintain formal mechanisms for accessing external advice on the scientific aspects of major policy and operational issues.
  • Establish good personal relationships with the key scientists in academia, professional bodies, research organisations and other government departments.
  • In collaboration with other directorates ensure that HSE has suitable and sufficient in-house scientific and engineering expertise and that this resource is optimally deployed to support the delivery of HSC/E’s Strategic Plan and outcome targets (includes both capacity and capacity building).
  • Act as a ‘champion’ and head of profession for scientific and engineering specialists in HSE, and ensure that they are managed appropriately and maintain their competence and expertise through suitable continuous professional development.
  • As the head of CoSAS directly ensure the provision of the analytical science and support (economic, statistical, epidemiological and social science) needed for the development and implementation of HSE’s policies and delivery plans.
  • Support the HSE in discharging its responsibilities as owners and principal customer of the Health and Safety Laboratory . In particular by exercising a supportive challenge function on whether the facilities, staffing, and in particular the scientific outputs are suitable to meet HSE’s customer and wider business needs.

Skills and Experience

  • A strong track record of leadership in a technically complex environment.
  • Proven ability in the strategic management of scientific research and research budgets (financial and contractural systems). § Proven scientific capacity in a particular field or in general is essential; and the ability to command respect in the scientific community and with other stakeholders.
  • Outstanding communication skills and the ability to address a wide range of scientific issues and disciplines.
  • Ability to successfully apply the results of scientific research to address policy and practical issues.
  • Established networking and relationship management skills.
  • Ability to lead a mixed team of scientists and administrators and to ensure high standards of delivery through effective performance management.

How To Apply

For an information pack visit our consultants' website at http://www.veredus.co.uk or call their 24 hour response line on 020 7931 6323 (quoting Ref 8716).

For a confidential discussion please call Mark Laffan on 020 7932 4342 (Ref 8716).

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