Chair post
The post of Chair of the Committee will require a person of national (or ideally international) standing in either the field of medicine or relevant science.
As Chair, you will be leading the discussions of the Committee, working alongside members who are themselves recognised medical and scientific experts. You will need to have excellent analytical skills of the highest level, sound judgement, be a good communicator and be able to bring together the views of your colleagues to accurately reflect the Committee’s decisions and recommendations.
If appointed as Chair, you may be called upon to take a high profile in presenting the Committee’s advice to the public or the media and more generally in taking forward the measures already in place for increasing the transparency and openness of the Committee’s activities.
Specialist member post
A new specialist member is to be appointed with expertise in a field of relevance to toxicological risk assessment. Candidates must be strong team players, with effective communication, negotiation, judgement and influencing skills combined with strong analytical and problem solving skills.
As a COT member you must be able to weigh issues outside your own specialist areas and to appreciate the impact that COT decisions may have on public health, consumers and the environment.
You must be able to work in a committee structure to arrive at sound, balanced and timely decisions.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for the post of Chair, or of the vacancy for member of the COT, the information pack is available on the COT website.
If you would like an application form please email:henrietta.gbormittah@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk or write to:
Hetty Gbormittah
COT Secretariat
Food Standards Agency
Aviation House
125 Kingsway
London WC2B 6NH
Closing date
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is Friday 31 October 2014. Individuals can apply for the position of Chair, specialist member or both.
Interview date
Interviews are likely to be held on Thursday 20 November 2014 or Friday 21 November 2014.
About the appointment process
Appointments to COT are made strictly on merit by fair and open process in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments’ Code of Practice and taking account of equal opportunities.
More in this section
The COT is an advisory Non-Departmental Public Body providing independent expert advice on toxicological risk to humans. The Committee's advice has consistently provided the sound scientific basis for the development of policy on issues that have major implications for public health, the economy and consumer confidence in food safety.
The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) is an independent scientific committee that provides advice to the Food Standards Agency, the Department of Health and other Government Departments and Agencies on matters concerning the toxicity of chemicals
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