Delivery Lead Fish Health Inspectorate

Help protect the health of Scotland’s aquaculture sector by leading a nationally important inspectorate that safeguards fish health, supports sustainable growth and underpins Scotland’s international disease-free status.

The Marine Directorate is seeking a Head of the Fish Health Inspectorate (FHI) to lead a specialist team of 21 staff based in Aberdeen. The FHI plays a vital role in protecting Scotland’s aquaculture industry through disease surveillance, prevention, control and eradication activities, helping to maintain confidence in Scotland’s aquatic animal health standards and support the country’s approved disease-free status.

As Head of the FHI, you will provide leadership across a complex regulatory and scientific landscape, ensuring that fish health legislation is effectively delivered and that robust evidence is available to support operational and policy decisions. The primary objective of the role is to oversee the delivery of Scotland’s fish health controls while providing expert advice, building confidence among Ministers and stakeholders, and ensuring decisions are informed by the best available scientific evidence.

• Manage, motivate and develop the FHI management team to ensure that all required activities are completed efficiently and effectively through discussions, meetings, and clear, concise instructions and guidance where appropriate.
• Provide the strategic leadership of the Fish Health Inspectorate, liaising with the Senior Delivery Lead for Aquaculture, Fish Health and Biosecurity.
• Communicate clearly and regularly with the FHI, ensuring that all team members understand how their objectives contribute to the delivery of Marine Directorate and Scottish Government objectives and key policy drivers.
• Manage the implementation of regulations to ensure that the work of the FHI complies with both the requirements and the spirit of Scottish Government policy and legislation.
• Provide advice to the Scottish Government, the aquaculture industry and stakeholders on fish health and aquaculture issues.
• Prepare and manage the FHI budget to ensure it accurately reflects operational requirements. Support the reprofiling of the budget to reflect current and future spending patterns while recognising wider budgetary pressures across the Scottish Government.
• Lead people and delivery management activities across the Fish Health Inspectorate.