Business Services and Facilities Management Officer (Apprentice)

Are you looking to start or progress your career in a dynamic and supportive environment where you can make a real difference? The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is offering an exciting opportunity to join us as a Business Services and Facilities Management Officer (Apprentice). This 18-month apprenticeship (which will convert to a permanent contract subject to successful completion of the End Point Assessment) combines practical experience with academic learning, leading to a nationally recognised Level 3 Business Administration qualification. You’ll spend 20% of your working hours on apprenticeship learning, supported by a dedicated Talent Coach and your Line Manager. Through formal progress reviews and regular one-to-ones, you’ll gain the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to thrive in your role. The FSA is a non-ministerial government department working to protect public health and consumers’ wider interests in food. Our mission is “food you can trust,” and our vision is a food system that is safe, what it says it is, and healthier and more sustainable. Our Business Services team plays a vital role in enabling the organisation to deliver this mission.

What You’ll D oAs our Business Services and Facilities Management Officer (Apprentice), you’ll provide essential support across the organisation, including :

• Facilities management in our London office – setting up meeting rooms, greeting visitors, and maintaining equipment.
• Administrative support to teams across our UK offices and home-based staff (remotely).
• Operational support – issuing staff IDs, processing authorisations and licences, and supporting appeals.
• Customer service – handling public enquiries via phone and email.
• Procurement and finance – raising purchase orders, processing invoices, and ordering supplies.
• Travel and logistics – booking travel, accommodation, and vehicle hire.
• Health and safety – acting as a First Aider and Fire Warden in the London office.
• Supporting continuous improvement initiatives and gaining experience across various workstreams within the Business Services team.

What We’re Looking Fo rWe’re looking for someone who is :

• Organised and proactiv e
• A good communicator with strong interpersonal skill s
• Willing to learn and take on new challenge s
• Able to work flexibly and as part of a tea m

No previous work experience is required – we’re looking for potential, not perfection.

What You’ll Ge t

• A nationally recognised Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeshi p
• A supportive and inclusive working environmen t
• Opportunities to develop a wide range of transferable skill s
• Access to Civil Service benefits including pension scheme, generous annual leave, and flexible workin g

Apply now to start your journey with the FSA and help us deliver food you can trust.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss the role further, please email chris.simpson@food.gov.uk for an informal chat.

Working pattern guidanc eDue to the nature of the role this role is offered as full time office-based only – with the following shift pattern.

Shift patter nYou will be required to work one of the following shift patterns either as your contractual working hours or on a rotational basis :

• Monday to Thursday (08.00 – 16.30) Friday (08.00 – 16.00) including 1 hour lunch break each day.
• Monday to Thursday (10.00 – 18.00) Friday (10.00 – 17.30) including 1 hour lunch break each day.

You will spend 20% of your contracted working hours dedicated to the apprenticeship.

Initial Training: The first four weeks of your employment may be spent as a mixture between the FSA London Office and the FSA York Offic e to undertake initial training (travel, hotel and expenses will be paid).

Apprenticeship eligibility criteri aPart of this apprenticeship involves completing a level 2 English and Mathematics functional skills qualification (if not already held). If you have already achieved GCSEs in English and Mathematics at Level 4 (grade C) or above you will not need to complete functional skills.

To be eligible to apply for the apprenticeship you need to meet the following criteria :

• You will have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years prior to the start of the apprenticeship or fit the criteria of eligible residency status in the Apprenticeship Funding Rules. Apprenticeship funding rules, 2025 to 2026 - GOV.U K
• You do not already hold the same or similar qualifications - your qualifications and eligibility will be assessed as part of the application process by the apprenticeship provider if you are successful at shortlisting stage.

For more details regarding the apprenticeship, please use the following link: Business administrator / Skills Englan d

Virtual Candidate Information Sessio nTuesday 22 July 2025 at 12.00noo nPlease join us for a virtual information session – to give you the chance to find out more about the role and the development on offer. Meet members of the Business Support team, hear about the work the team does and the benefits of working at the FSA. We’ll also chat through the application process, explain Success Profiles and advise how to maximise your chances of success - at application and at interview. This will be an informal session, expected to last about 45 minutes, with plenty of opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have – it won't form any part of the selection process. Places on this session can be booked by accessing this link to Eventbrite or if unable to register, by emailing sue.milligan@food.gov.u k

Please read before applyin gThis post is a temporary 18-months fixed term apprenticeship contract which will convert to a permanent contract subject to successful completion of the End Point Assessment. Candidates that are already established Civil Servants will come to the FSA on a Loan basis and will need to request permission from their Home Department for the Loan prior to applying for this vacancy.