Business Support Officer

Job description Are you looking for a challenging, fast-paced, and rewarding role as part of a small and supportive team? Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has a small Audit and Assurance team responsible for providing assurance that the delivery of food and feed controls in Scotland meets legal requirements and official guidance. The team is also responsible for coordinating and facilitating audits conducted by third countries. This role provides business and executive support to the team and is integral to the delivery of audit programmes and other assurance-related work. There will be opportunities to be involved in all stages of the audit programme, from planning through to reporting, with a particular emphasis on maintaining the digital aspects of the work. As the team works remotely, it relies on digital solutions to support delivery within a fast-changing and complex work area. This role offers experience across the full portfolio of work delivered by FSS, as well as broader exposure to the audit profession. Responsibilities Ensuring the efficient delivery of back-office services across the Division. Providing efficient, effective, and proactive support to the team as required. Organising and preparing meetings and events, prioritising tasks, and coordinating activities. Ensuring audit timescales and milestones are met. Assisting and supporting auditors at all stages of the audit cycle, including planning, evidence compilation and analysis, fieldwork, reporting, and follow-up. Maintaining process templates and content. Managing and sharing information across digital platforms, including Connect, SharePoint, and EDRM. Undertaking the role of Information Management Support Officer within the Division. Liaising and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders as the Divisional point of contact. Success profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of behaviours, experience and technical criteria (if applicable) that candidates will be assessed on. Technical / Professional Skills: Data and Insight – Demonstrates awareness of organisational and legal protocols for managing information, including the Data Protection Act, Declaration of Confidentiality, Official Secrets Act, Freedom of Information Act, and Electronic Media Policy. Understands procedures for managing customer information and data, including how to collect, retrieve, supply, retain, record, and dispose of information appropriately. Identifies and takes appropriate action when gaps, errors, or irregularities in information and data management occur. Delivery and Decision-Making at Speed – Works flexibly and at pace, and is able to advise customers on how to efficiently navigate and complete processes. Understands how to process financial transactions with customers, including receiving payments, calculating payments, and making payments. Understands their level of authority to make and confirm decisions, and when issues should be escalated, referred to others, or reported as risks. Experience Solid experience in Operational Delivery, with a strong background in Help, Advice and Support roles. Behaviours: Communicating and Influencing - Level 2 Working Together - Level 2 Find out more about Success Profiles . How to apply Apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 1000 words) providing evidence of how you meet the behaviours, experience and technical skills listed in the Success Profile above. Both the CV and the supporting statement provided will be assessed against the criteria for the role. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and In-Tray Exercise . Assessments are scheduled for w/c 17th August 2026 however this may be subject to change. Recruitment Principles As a government organisation, we adhere to the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles and we investigate any complaints received in relation to recruitment cases. About us Food Standard Scotland (FSS) was established by the Food (Scotland) Act 2015 as a non-ministerial office, part of the Scottish Administration, alongside, but separate from, the Scottish Government. Our primary concern is consumer protection – making sure that the food is safe to eat, ensuring consumers know what they are eating and improving nutrition. Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has a wide and diverse remit which covers all aspects of the food chain which can impact on public health – aiming to protect consumers from food safety risks and promote healthy eating. Our mission is to be Scotland’s leading authority on food safety, standards and healthy eatting. Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service , observing the Civil Service Code and working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland. We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer . As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules . Working pattern Our standard working hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the post. This role is hybrid compatible. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us. FSS employees currently work in a hybrid fashion. FSS’s Head Office is based in Pilgrim House in Aberdeen, and travel to meetings at this office would be expected on occasion. We do invite applications from outside this area, and there would be opportunities to work from an alternative Scottish Government building. Security checks Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website , and read about the Government Vetting Charter , or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide . Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application. Equality statement We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation. Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. Further information Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website . Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. Apply before 23:59 on 3rd August 2026. This post is open to internal candidates and Common Citizenship Organisations only. External candidates and staff from UK Other Government Departments are not eligible to apply for this vacancy.