Guidance

Candidate Information - Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee

Published 2 November 2026

Applies to Northern Ireland

Appointment of Members to the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee – NIFAC Vacancy 1126

1. Information for Applicants

We are currently seeking to appoint 5 new members to the Northern Ireland Food Advisory Committee (NIFAC). Of this, 2 members will be appointed for 3-year terms, and 3 members will be appointed for 4-year terms. A list of all appointable candidates will be put forward to the Minister of Health following interview.

Applications should be received by email in Word Document format no later than 4pm on Friday 27 November 2026. Completed applications should be returned to: Jamie.Young@food.gov.uk. Completed monitoring forms should be returned separately to: Conor.Campbell@food.gov.uk.

This page contains details of the Committee, duties involved, including the indicative time commitment, remuneration and information on how to apply. Guidance notes for applicants to assist with completing the application form are included in Annex A.

2. Background – Food Standards Agency

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is a non-Ministerial government department established by the Food Standards Act 1999. The FSA’s independence is enshrined in this founding legislation. Under the Act, the FSA has responsibility for the development of food policy and for the provision of advice, information and assistance in respect of matters connected with food safety or other interests of consumers in relation to food, to public authorities, including Ministers, government departments and to the general public or other organisations. While working closely with the administrations in each of the nations, the FSA acts independently and transparently, led by science and evidence.

The FSA is the central competent authority for food and feed safety and the lead government department on these matters across Northern Ireland, England and Wales and has a close working relationship with Food Standards Scotland.

The main objective of the FSA is to protect public health from risks which may arise in connection with the consumption of food, including risks caused by the way in which it is produced or supplied, and otherwise to protect the interests of consumers in relation to food. The fundamental mission is food you can trust. This means a food system in which food is safe, food is what it says it is and food which is healthier and more sustainable.

In Northern Ireland, the FSA is responsible for devolved legislation and policy relating to food and feed safety, dietary health, standards, food composition and labelling. The responsibilities include:

• Being the central competent authority for food and feed safety
• Advising Ministers on food and feed safety and standards issues
• Developing policy and proposing legislation
• Providing timely and effective responses to food and feed incidents, and food crime
• Setting standards and providing guidance and training to district councils in relation to enforcement activities and auditing their food enforcement activities
• Setting standards and auditing the delivery of official controls of meat hygiene, animal feed, eggs and milk hygiene and primary production which are carried out by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs on behalf of the FSA
• Encouraging food producers and caterers to reduce the levels of saturated fat, salt and calories in food products
• Providing advice on diet and nutrition and food safety issues.

3. FSA Governance Arrangements

In Northern Ireland, the FSA is accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly via the Minister of Health. This is reflected in England and Wales, with the FSA being accountable to the Westminster and Welsh Parliaments via the relevant Health Ministers. However, as the FSA is non-Ministerial, it is led by a Board, appointed by Ministers to act in the public interest.

The FSA Board exists to represent the public interest and ensure that the organisation puts consumers first, to set the strategy for the FSA, and to take major decisions on policy and key issues of principle, informing advice given to Ministers in Northern Ireland, England and Wales. The Board has overall collective responsibility for the activities of the FSA in all 3 nations and for ensuring that the FSA discharges its statutory duties to protect public health and consumers’ interests in relation to food, and that all decisions or actions consider scientific advice. Transparency is a guiding principle for the FSA and as such, the Board meets in open session, including the publication of Board papers.

One Board member is appointed by the Minister of Health in Northern Ireland to serve as the Board member for Northern Ireland; and this member is also Chair of NIFAC which provides advice and guidance to the FSA on food safety and standards issues, with particular emphasis on Northern Ireland. NIFAC members are also appointed by the Minister. The current Board member for Northern Ireland and Chair of NIFAC is Anthony Harbinson.

4. NIFAC

NIFAC is an advisory Committee rather than a decision-making body. The statutory role of NIFAC is defined in the Food Standards Act 1999 as follows: “There shall be an advisory committee for Northern Ireland for the purpose of giving advice or information to the Agency about matters connected with its functions (including, in particular, matters affecting or otherwise relating to Northern Ireland).”

As such, NIFAC was established in 2000 to provide advice and information to the FSA. Such advice and information in relation to food safety, food standards and allied subjects, particularly as they relate to Northern Ireland.

4.1 The Committee:

• Provides insight and advice on Northern Ireland specific issues
• Acts collectively in the public interest
• Advises on the development of policy and legislation undertaken by the Agency
• Helps to establish priorities for the Agency taking account of consumer concerns; surveillance or research data; topical issues and; Committee members’ judgement.

4.2 NIFAC is committed to working in an open and transparent way by:

• Holding public meetings in a variety of locations across Northern Ireland
• Listening to the views of Northern Ireland stakeholders
• Supporting the FSA at public events
• Identifying issues that are important to Northern Ireland
• Producing thorough and well considered advice.

5. Role Specification

Members of NIFAC are appointed by the Minister of Health in Northern Ireland in accordance with the Food Standards Act 1999 to provide a wide range of expertise, experience and practical knowledge.

NIFAC members are contracted for 21 days per year at an honorarium of £3,885.00 per annum, paid monthly in arrears at one twelfth of the annual rate by bank credit. The honorarium is non-pensionable, is subject to the deduction of National Insurance and is taxable. The FSA will determine any variation in the level of annual remuneration. All reasonable expenses for travel and subsistence are reimbursed. The time commitment includes meeting attendance, preparation, attendance at relevant events and stakeholder engagement.

We are currently seeking to appoint 5 new NIFAC members. Of this, 2 members will be appointed for 3-year terms, and 3 members will be appointed for 4-year terms. A list of all appointable candidates will be put forward to the Minister of Health following interview.

Appointment terms may be renewed for a further term on the recommendation of the Chair and subject to satisfactory performance, assessed through annual appraisals, during the initial period of office. The final decisions on appointments and re-appointments are made by the Minister of Health. No one can normally serve for more than two terms under the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments in Northern Ireland.

Members appointed to NIFAC should always comply with the Seven Guiding Principles of Public Life, laid down by the Nolan Committee on Standards in Public Life (Annex B). Applicants may also wish to note the ‘Complaints and Conflicts of Interest Information Guidance’.

6. NIFAC Meetings

NIFAC meets approximately 8–10 times a year. As part of the commitment to transparency, a minimum of 4 meetings per year are held in public, and any interested member of the public, stakeholders or press can attend. During each themed (open) meeting there is an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions of speakers and Committee members. NIFAC meetings also take place ahead of each FSA Board meeting for members to consider the published FSA Board papers from a Northern Ireland perspective and enable members to provide insight and advice on upcoming policy decisions.

To support stakeholder engagement and evidence gathering, NIFAC meetings are held at a range of locations throughout Northern Ireland, with relevant site visits often forming part of the meeting. Therefore, members must be willing to travel accordingly. Some meetings are also held at the FSA’s office in Belfast, situated at 10a-c Clarendon Road, Belfast, BT1 3BG.

Details of previous NIFAC meetings, including meeting papers, are published and available to view here.

7. Person Specification

The Committee is looking for individuals who meet the following essential criteria:

1. Ability to think and act both strategically and analytically
2. Have good judgement, a high level of integrity and public responsibility, coupled with the ability to work as part of the Committee, leaving personal views behind
3. Ability to interpret and communicate information effectively orally, in writing and through a variety of media channels
4. Candidates must have background experience in a Northern Ireland context in at least 1 of the following areas:

• The food industry (agricultural to retail)
• Farming
• Public health
• Consumer interests
• Environmental Health
• Nutrition
• Food or agricultural science/education
• Public policy development.

Should shortlisting be required, this will be done based on those who have more than one of the above. Please note that references to job titles/roles is not sufficient and examples should be given to demonstrate experience.

8. The Appointment Process – How to Apply

The application form and monitoring form should be downloaded for completion. Please note that reference to a C.V. instead of providing answers is not an acceptable response. Guidance notes for applicants can be found at Annex A.

While appointments to NIFAC are not regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland (CPANI), the appointment process is being carried out in line with guidance issued by the CPANI. One of the key principles of this guidance is selection based on merit, and with the aim of achieving a balance of relevant skills and backgrounds on the Committee concerned.

The recruitment process will be overseen and evaluated by a panel which will select the candidates for interview. Candidates will be advised whether they have been selected for interview following a sift. The interviews are due to take place on 6, 7 and 8 January 2027 in person at the FSA’s office in Belfast. Candidates will be asked to complete a declaration of interest form ahead of interview.

The selection panel will identify for interview those who most closely fit the criteria. At each stage the selection panel will have regard for the need for a balanced Committee in terms of diversity, skills and experience. After the interviews, the panel will make their recommendation to the Minister of Health who will decide whom to appoint from amongst those considered to be appointable.

Appointment to the role will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment screening, which will include verification of identity, right to work in the UK and social media checks.

It is planned that 4 successful candidates will commence their terms from 1 April 2027 and 1 candidate with commence their term from 1 August 2027. Successful applicants who are not appointed immediately may be kept on a reserve list for 1 year to help fill any future vacancies on the Committee.

Completed applications must be received by 4pm on Friday 27 November 2026. Completed applications should be returned to Jamie.Young@food.gov.uk and completed monitoring forms should be returned separately to Conor.Campbell@food.gov.uk.

If you have any questions in relation to the recruitment, please contact the NIFAC Secretariat: Jamie.Young@food.gov.uk.

9. Equal Opportunities

Public appointments are based on the principles of merit and equal opportunities, with independent assessment, openness and transparency of process. NIFAC is committed to achieving diversity amongst its members. Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation, who are able to represent the interests of the public of Northern Ireland.

While we welcome applications from Civil Servants and other public sector workers, The Executive Office Public Appointments Guidance states: “Applicants who already work in the public sector need to be aware that there is a general guiding principle that an individual should not be paid twice from the public purse for the same period of time. As a result, applicants who already work in the public sector may not be entitled to claim remuneration for a public appointment if the duties are undertaken during a period of time for which they are already paid by the public sector.” These principles will apply in appointing members to the Committee.

10. Annex A – Guidance Notes for Applicants

You are asked to provide an example(s) which demonstrate that you meet each of the selection criteria for this appointment. The information you provide will allow the selection panel to make an assessment of the extent to which you meet the various criteria. The information you provide will be used for shortlisting, assessment and selection purposes. All relevant sections should be completed. Please ensure your completed application form is legible.

Many people are not used to writing about themselves or thinking about what they have done as opposed to what a team has done. It is important that you think about your role and what you have done individually, either on your own or as a team member. You should clearly explain your personal involvement in any experience you quote. Write “I” statements e.g. I managed a budget; I arranged a meeting. It is how you carried out a piece of work that the panel will be interested in.

You need to understand the relationship between the examples you will use and the relevant selection criteria. In addition, you should bear in mind the following points:

• You should not simply list the various posts that you have held. The selection panel cannot make assumptions as to your skills, knowledge and experience from the title of posts held

• You should use simple and easy to understand language in your examples to describe what you have done, rather than technical jargon or abbreviations

• Use actual examples, rather than ‘how you would do something’

• You can use examples from your working life, or from your personal life, including any voluntary or community work you are or have been involved in

• Avoid statements that describe your personal beliefs or philosophies – focus on specific challenges and results

• If possible, quantify/qualify your accomplishments

• Describe what you did and how you behaved – if your example includes activities undertaken by a team, focus on your role and not that of the team as a whole.

The key is to give the reader specific information about how well you meet the criteria for appointment. Think about your knowledge, skills, experience and personal attributes and make sure you take full advantage of the space available to provide practical evidence that best demonstrates how you meet the selection criteria. The following model may help you to structure your examples and express them in a logical manner:

Situation	Briefly outline the situation.
Task	What was your objective? What were you trying to achieve?
Action	What did you actually do? What was your unique contribution?
Result	What happened? What was the outcome? What did you learn?

11. Annex B – The Seven Principles of Public Life

Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour and treat others with respect. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.