Senior Chemical Risk Manager

Do you care about the safety of products and want to protect people and places? Can we use your skills, knowledge and experience to enable UK business to thrive? If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you!
We are the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of the Department for Business & Trade. We are here for the purpose of making regulation work to deliver real world impact.
Regulation is a powerful Government tool to address market failures, influence behaviour and promote positive action. Crafted and delivered well, regulation can be an enabler of growth, innovation and efficiency.
Since early 2018 we have been building a positive and creative team that enjoys a position of influence and respect within an organisation that continues to grow, most recently with the addition of construction products regulation planned.
Our primary purpose is to protect people and places from product-related harm, ensuring consumers and businesses can buy and sell products with confidence
Further information can be found on our website here
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. We embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. We are proud to be Disability Confident Leaders., Envision a world where every child's toy is inherently safe, each cosmetic product is gentle on your skin, and all building materials are robust and reliable. This is the vision that drives the Science Team at the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS).
We provide strong and relevant scientific advice and ground-breaking research to guide policy making, as well as the application and enforcement of product safety regulations under the OPSS umbrella.
Our work involves collaboration with other teams specialising in engineering, research, analysis, and testing. We are an interdisciplinary team, boasting expertise in analytical chemistry, materials science, and toxicology.
Moreover, our team offers guidance on chemical risk assessment and leads the OPSS's interactions with independent scientific bodies in the fields of chemicals and materials.
In January 2024, OPSS published its first Science & Analysis review on GOV.UK, showcasing how OPSS employs high-quality evidence to enhance consumer confidence, support thriving trade, and establish the UK as a leading marketplace for consumer products.
Join our team and make a tangible impact on consumer safety.
As a Chemical Risk Manager, your role is critical in safeguarding public health by ensuring consumer products adhere to safety standards and UK regulations. Your expertise is vital for identifying and assessing chemical risks, developing strong risk management strategies, and communicating scientific findings to diverse audiences, regardless of their technical background., + Oversee Chemical Risk Assessment: Keep a comprehensive overview of chemical concerns necessitating independent scientific counsel and devise methods for effective triage and prioritisation.
+ Interpret Risk Assessments: Assess and interpret risk assessment outputs and opinions from the independent scientific advisory group and other reliable sources to identify scientific options for risk management.
+ Develop Risk Management Strategies: Work with policy and other colleagues to present and further develop risk management options for specific chemicals that have undergone risk assessment.
+ Communicate Scientific Findings: Lead the communication of the scientific evidence base behind specific risk management options to both technical and non-technical audiences.
+ Support Cross-Functional Teams: Collaborate with other Science team members, policy, enforcement, and other OPSS teams to ensure the effective delivery of UK product safety regulations.
+ Respond to Emergencies: Offer prompt and efficient assistance during emergencies involving regulated products, utilising your expertise in chemical science to minimise risks
+ Manage Research Initiatives: Support OPSS research programmes and oversee the delivery of externally commissioned research.
+ Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills: Confidently draw together, interpret, and communicate findings to a non-technical audience as well as technical members of the team or external experts.
+ Stay Updated on Chemical Developments: Assess and interpret scientific and technical documentation relating to chemicals in consumer products, and lead research and evidence-gathering activities to fill evidence gaps and understand new developments in the field.
+ Collaborate Across Teams: Work collaboratively with other OPSS teams, such as policy, enforcement, laboratory, and testing, on multidisciplinary projects.
+ Provide Technical Support: Respond to ad-hoc technical chemical science enquiries, including providing incident response support., This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
+ A Personal Statement of up to 500 words, demonstrating how your skills, knowledge and experience match the requirements of the role detailed in the bullet points under the "key responsibilities" and the essential criteria detailed in the" skills and experience" sections of the job description.
+ A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements, and any qualifications.
+ Two Technical Skills statements (250 words max). These statements will be assessed against the Government Science and Engineering competency framework at SEO level.
It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview
We will test your behaviours, technical skills and strengths at interview.
Technical skills will be assessed against the Government Science and Engineering Career Framework- Please follow this link to review the framework. A PDF attachment has also been added to the end of the page.
You will be required to provide a short presentation at interview- details of what this will entail will be provided to candidates successfully selected for interview.
Additional Information
If you interview for this role and meet the pass mark but we are unable to offer you a role, we may offer a you a similar alternative at the same or lower grade.
If you are unsuccessful, we may offer you an alternative role at a lower grade.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information
+ Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
+ The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
+ New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
+ Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
+ A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
+ Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
+ Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
+ This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

+ A degree in materials science, chemistry, or a closely related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
+ Adept at conveying scientific concepts to both specialists and non-specialists, both verbally and in writing.
+ Proficient in managing multiple tasks and setting priorities effectively.
+ Skilled in interacting with stakeholders and vendors.
+ Proven experience in contributing to cross-functional teams in a collaborative manner.
Who are we looking for?
We are on the lookout for a passionate individual ready to deploy their specialised scientific expertise to protect individuals and families across the UK and bolster the economy. If you're excited about harnessing scientific evidence to inform policy and regulatory measures, and are keen to work alongside our team, OPSS peers, other governmental bodies, and industry stakeholders both within the UK and internationally to ensure our evidence is robust, appropriate, and of the highest quality- we eagerly await your application., A degree or equivalent in materials science, chemistry (or a closely related field) or extensive relevant experience, + Communicating and Influencing
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Technical and Commercial Leadership
+ Applying Technical Knowledge

Alongside your salary of £39,384, Department for Business and Trade contributes £11,409 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Thrive in and out of the office: We prioritise your well-being and offer a robust benefits package to support your work-life balance. Here's what you can expect:
+ Flexible Working: Craft your workday with flexible working arrangements and flexi-time options (subject to role requirements).
+ Generous Leave: Enjoy a healthy vacation balance with 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 after 5 years. Plus, 8 public holidays and a privilege day for additional time off.
+ Family-Friendly Policies: Access competitive maternity, paternity, and parental leave.
+ Reward and Recognition: See your hard work acknowledged with our in-year reward and recognition scheme, celebrating achievements and contributions.
+ Learn & Grow: Invest in yourself with 5 paid days dedicated to your learning and development to support your continued professional development.
+ Inclusive Community: Connect with colleagues from diverse backgrounds through our thriving staff networks, fostering a sense of belonging and support.
+ Healthy You: Stay active with our Cycle to Work scheme.
+ Wellbeing Support: Maintain your mental and emotional well-being through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme and Workplace Wellness services.
+ Exclusive Discounts: Enjoy savings on your everyday spending with our employee discount scheme, offering perks at high street shops, restaurants, and online retailers.
+ Secure Your Future: Build a secure future with a Civil Service Pension scheme boasting an average employer contribution of 27%.
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.