Organisation: Animals in Science Committee

Sponsor department: Home Office

Location: London

Sectors: Professional, Scientific and Technical

Time commitment: 20 day(s) per annum

Length of term:  Three years

Application deadline: 11pm on 4 November 2024

About the role

About the Animals in Science Committee

The Animals in Science Committee was established in January 2013 as a reformation of the Animal Procedures Committee. The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) requires the creation of a Committee for the Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes. This committee is known as the Animals in Science Committee (ASC). The ASC is an independent, non-executive advisory Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) sponsored by the Home Office.

The role of the Committee is to advise the Secretary of State on all matters concerning the use of animals in scientific procedures, and to advise animal welfare ethical review bodies on sharing best practice within the UK. In line with the government manifesto commitment to partner with scientists, industry and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing, the Committee will also work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to support the development and validation of alternative strategies.

The appointment of the Chair will be based on their skills, expertise and experience. They will not be appointed to represent any organisation by which they are employed, or any particular interest group, or any other organisation with which they have significant contacts. The Chair shall be expected to consider issues on merit and provide independent advice acting in the public interest at all times.

It is expected that Ministers will commission key elements of the work of the Committee to enable development of a rolling programme of work streams. In general seventy percent of the group’s workload is commissioned by the Home Office with the remainder decided upon by its membership (“self-commission”). 

In the work it takes forward, the Committee shall take into account both the legitimate requirements of science and industry and of the protection of animals from harms.

The Committee’s work programme is taken forward by long-term ‘Standing’ and short-term ‘Task and Finish’ Subgroups. Members are allocated to these Subgroups as appropriate for their interests and expertise. Given the diversity and complexity of topics, the expertise in Subgroups may be supplemented by the process of co-option. Outputs from the Subgroups are then discussed and approved by the full ASC prior to submission to Ministers and publication on the ASC website[1].

A working protocol exists[2] to support the respective roles and responsibilities of the Home Office and the Animals in Science Committee. The working protocol provides a framework under which the Home Office and the Committee will engage through the provision and receipt of advice on matters relating to the use of animals for scientific purposes as well as associated matters.

Priorities

The ASC prioritises its programme of work in line with Government priorities, legislative timeframes and in response to emerging issues relating to animals in science.

In addition to work commissioned by Ministers, the Committee has scope, capacity permitting, to take forward work of its own volition and offer advice on issues which it thinks relevant.

Job Title:               Chair of the Animals in Science Committee (ASC)

Appointed by:        Home Secretary

Duration:                 An initial term of three years

Remuneration:     The role is unremunerated, but travel and subsistence expenses incurred on Committee business will be reimbursed.  No allowances will be payable and you will not be eligible for any form of bonus payment.  The expected time commitment is up to 20 days  per year, depending on the ASC’s work programme.

Location:              Committee-level meetings will normally take place at Home Office Headquarters, 2 Marsham Street, London. Some ASC meetings may take place at a suitable external venue. All meetings are available in a hybrid or virtual capacity.

Purpose

The Chair of the ASC will be expected to deliver a key leadership role by harnessing the energy and expertise of committee members to deliver timely advice to Ministers on matters within the remit of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. This includes matters concerning the use of animals in scientific procedures and advising animal welfare ethical review bodies on sharing best practice within the UK. There is additionally increasing cross-government collaboration on the development and validation of alternative strategies.  

To enable this, the successful candidate will be required to develop and foster strong and constructive relationships with committee members and senior stakeholders, including Ministers, Parliament, Devolved Administrations, Government officials, and practitioners. In particular, the Chair will work closely with the Home Office Minister responsible for animals in science, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) Minister responsible for alternative strategies, and Northern Ireland (NI) Minister of Health.

The Chair will, on behalf of the membership, provide the primary interface to Government Ministers and other stakeholders, including the public and media.

The Chair is accountable for ensuring the timely delivery of the ASC’s programme of work.

The ASC Chair will meet, at a minimum, annually with the Home Office Minister responsible for animals in science.

In common with ASC members, the Chair of the ASC is appointed as an individual and not as a representative of any particular profession, employer or interest group.  The Chair will be expected to act in the public interest at all times, considering all issues from an independent perspective and on merit.