Business Support

Description
Are you looking for a challenging, fast-paced and rewarding role as part of a small and supportive team? Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have a small Audit and Assurance team who are responsible for providing assurance that the delivery of controls for food and feed in Scotland meet legal requirements and official guidance.  The team are also responsible for coordinating and delivering audits from third countries.  

This role provides business and executive support to the team and is integral to the delivery of the audit programmes and other assurance related work. There will be opportunity for involvement in all stages of the audit programme from planning to reporting with a particular emphasis on maintaining the digital aspects of the work as the team work remotely and are reliant on digital solutions as aids to delivery in a fast changing and complex work area.  This role provides experience across the entire portfolio of work delivered by FSS and also broader experience of the audit profession.

Responsibilities
Responsibilities

• Ensuring efficient back of house services working across the Division.
• Providing efficient, effective and proactive support to the team as required.
• Organising and preparing meetings and events, prioritising tasks and coordinating activity.
• Ensuring audit timescales and milestones are met.
• Assisting and supporting auditors at all stages of the audit cycle as required - planning, evidence compilation and analysis, fieldwork, reporting and follow-up
• Maintaining process templates and content.
• Managing and sharing information across digital platforms – Connect, Sharepoint and ERDM.
• Information Management Support Officer role within the Division.
• Liaising and collaborating across internal and external stakeholders as Divisional point of contact.

Qualifications
Success profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.   Technical / Professional Skills:

• Data and insight.  Aware of organisational and legal protocols for managing information: Data Protection Act, Declaration of Confidentiality, Official Secrets Act,  Freedom of Information Act, Electronic Media Policy. Aware of procedures for managing customer information and data - including how to collect, retrieve, supply, retain, record, and dispose. Identify the actions to take if gaps, errors or irregularities in information and data management occur.
• Delivery and decision making at speed. Works at pace and flexibly and able to advise customers how to efficiently navigate and complete processes. 

  Understands how to process financial transactions with customers (receiving payments, calculating and making payments). Understands own authority to make and confirm decisions, and when to escalate, refer to others, and report risks.

Experience:

• Solid experience in Operational Delivery, along with a strong background in Help, Advice and Support roles.

Behaviours:

• Communicating and influencing - Level 2.
• Working together - Level 2.

You can find out more about Success Profiles here: Success profiles: candidate guide -
  How to apply   Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.   In the event of a high number of applicants, we will conduct an initial sift based on the lead criteria of the experience. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed against all remaining criteria outlined in the Success Profile.    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 invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and in-tray exercise. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 19January 2026, however this may be subject to change.   About us  

Food Standard Scotland (FSS) was established by the Food (Scotland) Act 2015 as a non-ministerial office, part of the Scottish Administration, alongside, but separate from, the Scottish Government. Our primary concern is consumer protection – making sure that the food is safe to eat, ensuring consumers know what they are eating and improving nutrition.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has a wide and diverse remit which covers all aspects of the food chain which can impact on public health – aiming to protect consumers from food safety risks and promote healthy eating. Our mission is to be Scotland's leading authority on food safety, standards and healthy eating; using data and evidence to provide assurance and advice that inspires consumer confidence and improves public health.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.   Working pattern   Our standard working hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the post. This role is hybrid compatible. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.    FSS employees currently work in a hybrid fashion. FSS's Head Office is based in Pilgrim House in Aberdeen, and travel to meetings at this office would be expected on occasion. We do invite applications from outside this area, and there would be opportunities to work from an alternative Scottish Government building.   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).   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.   Apply before: 23 December :59)   This role is open to internal, OGD candidates and Common Citizenship organisations only. 

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