The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has launched a job hunt for its next chief scientific adviser.
Defra is offering a salary of £149,000 for the director-general level position, which it describes as “one of the most senior and influential positions” in the department. The current CSA is Professor Gideon Henderson, who has held the role since October 2019.
The CSA reports to the permanent secretary, Tamara Finkelstein, and sits on the Defra Executive Team. They give advice directly to senior officials as well as the environment secretary and other ministers, and also update them on scientific developments.
The job pack states that the successful candidate will need to be a leader and be collaborative, working across the wider department and many other parts of government.
“The role has expanded in recent years to bring science together with the analysis and insight profession, with Defra’s director of analysis and director-level chief data officer now both reporting into the CSA,” it adds.
The CSA is responsible for the strategic and operational quality and availability of scientific and analytical evidence across a broad range of environmental and agricultural areas; and oversight, coordination, and quality control of Defra’s central R&D budget.
They also work as part of the cross-government chief scientific adviser network to resolve issues that cut across departments and are departmental head of the Government Science and Engineering Profession.
In a foreword to the job pack, Finkelstein said: “We are looking for an outstanding scientist or engineer to join the cadre of CSAs across government and to provide strong scientific leadership for Defra.
“This is a critical time to join Defra as we continue to deliver our ambitious agenda, setting global standards in protecting and enhancing our natural environment for future generations and leading the world in food, farming and fisheries, and animal welfare.
“At a time when public and political interest in the environment has never been higher, the successful applicant will have an unprecedented opportunity to contribute to issues that profoundly impact people’s lives.”
Finkelstein added: “If you have the passion to deliver outcomes for the public and share our ambition for the future, and feel your skills are a good match, then we very much look forward to hearing from you.”
Applications to the role can made until 23:55 on 1 January.