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Member of the Food and Drink Sector Council

Body: Food and Drink Sector Council (FDSC)
Appointing Department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Sector: Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Location: Various
Skills required: Business / Commercial, Change Management, Transformation
Number of Vacancies: 8
Remuneration: None. Expenses as agreed with Defra.
Time Requirements: Food and Drink Sector Council meetings are usually held quarterly and last 2-3 hours – length is driven by agenda. Meetings are in person with the option to attend virtually. Members will also be expected to support Council work between meetings. We estimate this time commitment could constitute approximately a day per month on average.

Campaign Timeline

  • Competition Launched

    13/03/2023

  • Closed for Applications

    27/03/2023 at 12:00

  • Panel Sift

    10/04/2023

  • Final Interview Date

    20/04/2023

  • Announcement

    By 12 May

 

Assessment Panel

Vacancy Description

The Food and Drink Sector Council (FDSC) is the only forum which brings senior leaders representing the whole of the agri food chain together to address strategic issues facing the sector and seize opportunities. It provides a mechanism for industry and government to work together to deliver shared objectives, as well as strengthening partnership working and collaboration.

The Council is co-chaired by industry and Government – Tim J Smith CBE for industry, with the Minister of State for Food, Mark Spencer, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The Council is entering a new phase of evolution and is working on new priorities to deliver in partnership with Government. The Co-Chairs want to add new voices to the Council, increase business representation and fill gaps by appointing new members to the following seats:

• Agriculture

• Consumers

• Finance / banking (investment in the sector)

• 2 x Food and Drink Manufacturing

• Primary Processing

• Public sector food

• Retail

The role of the members is to:

• Represent their sector, not the views of individual businesses.

• Contribute to and drive forward the Council’s work programme.

• Make constructive and honest contributions in Council discussions.

• Challenge each other and Government.

• Champion the Council through their networks.

• Understand the strategic context and be frank about opportunities and risks.

• Be able to allocate sufficient time and resources to meet the expectations of the role.

Person Specification

Leadership and strategic direction

• A strategic and creative thinker, with the ability to represent their sector, and contribute advice and challenge in full and frank discussion, to deliver tangible outcomes, solve strategic issues and seize opportunities within a complex and fragmented sector.

• Respected leader with knowledge and experience of the agri food supply chain at senior leadership level (comparable to Chief Executive Officer or Board).

Effective relationships and collaboration

• A collaborative style able to command the confidence of the Co-Chairs, fellow Council members, workstream members, senior Government officials and wider industry.

• Ability to build productive and collaborative relationships within a complex and fragmented industry and with Government in pursuit of the work and purpose of the Council.

Driving change

• Influential leadership and change management skills to drive change within the sector through the Council.

• Excellent communication skills and ability to inspire change.

Additional Information

Length of term: 2 years, with the option to renew once.

How to Apply

All candidates are required to complete the following forms:

• Monitoring form 1 (Conflicts of interest conduct and advertising Questionnaire)

• Monitoring form 2 (Diversity Questionnaire)

Candidates should submit their CV with education, professional qualifications and employment history.

Your CV should be returned to the following address by the closing date: 12.00 (midday) on Monday 27 March. Email to fdsc@defra.gov.uk.

For further information please email: fdsc@defra.org.uk

Attachments
1_Membership candidate pack
2_Sample Terms of Engagement
3_Monitoring form 1 (Conflicts of interest conduct and advertising Questionnaire)
4_Monitoring form 2 (Diversity Questionnaire)

This post is NOT regulated by The Commissioner for Public Appointments.

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