JOB DESCRIPTION

The COM is an important committee providing independent authoritative expert advice to the Government through the Chief Medical Officer (Professor Liam Donaldson) and Chairman of the Board of Food Standards Agency (Sir John Krebs) on all aspects of mutagenic risk to humans (see terms of reference attached).

As a specialist member of the COM* you will contribute to discussions of the committee working alongside other recognised experts assessing the detailed technical data under consideration. You will need to be recognised as a technical expert in one or more areas outlined in the personal specification. You will be expected to assist the committee in helping to draft advice appropriate for wider dissemination to the general public. You may be asked to contribute to other discussions (such as in COM working groups) if the need arises.

Areas of work

The work demands a high commitment to improving public health.

The Committee is involved in many different issues. You could be involved in the Committee's debates on high profile issues such the evidence for an association between drinking alcoholic beverages and mutation evaluation of certain contaminants in drinking water; assessment of pesticides and generic issues such as testing strategies and risk assessment.

Training

There is no formal training for Members of the committee but you will be given advice and support from the secretariat. We will provide all new Members with an information pack after they are appointed.

Time commitment

Papers are usually sent out 2 weeks prior to a meeting and can take several days to read. The secretariat usually forward papers so that at least 2 weekends are available for reading. The Committee has three meetings a year which starts at 10.30 am and usually finishes about 3.00 pm. Dates for meetings in 2002 are 7 February, 25 April and 10 October. In addition, from time to time, extra meetings are arranged on specific topics or joint meetings with sister committees COC and COT.

Remuneration

Members are not paid but receive an attendance allowance of £89 plus reading fee of £23 per meeting. Travel costs are also reimbursed.

Appointments and Tenure of Office

Members are appointed for fixed time periods, usually three years and are eligible for reappointment at the end of their terms.

You should note particularly the requirement to declare any conflict of interest that arises in the course of committee business and the need to declare any relevant business interests positions of authority or other connections with commercial bodies. These will be published in the annual report.

*Further background information on the COM and its sister committees the Committee on Toxicity and Committee on Carcinogenicity can be found in the joint annual report, a copy of which can be obtained from Mr K N Mistry, Administrative Secretary, Room 692D, Skipton House, Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6LH, Telephone 020 7972 5020. Alternatively, you may wish to visit our internet site: http://www.doh.gov.uk/com.htm

The terms of reference are appended:

COMMITTEE ON MUTAGENICITY OF CHEMICALS IN FOOD CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT (COM)

The Committee on Muntagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COM) is an independent advisory committee appointed by the Chief Medical Officer and the Chairman of the Board of Food Standards Agency. The Committee advises the CMO, and through the CMO, the Government. The Committee is comprised of a chairman and 8 members appointed as independent scientific and medical experts on the basis of their special skills and knowledge including a lay member. They are appointed for fixed time periods, generally three years and are eligible for reappointment at the end of their terms.

The terms of reference are given below:

1. To assess and advise Government Departments and Agencies on the mutagenic risk to man of substances which are:-

a. used or proposed to be used as food additives, or used in such a way that they might contaminate food through their use or natural occurrence in agriculture, including horticulture and veterinary practice or in the distribution, storage, preparation, processing or packaging of food;

b. used or proposed to be used or manufactured or produced in industry, agriculture, food storage or any other workplace.

c. used or proposed to be used as household goods or toilet goods and preparations.

d. used or proposed to be used as drugs, when advice is requested by the Medicines Control Agency, Section 4 Committee or the Licensing Authority.

e. used or proposed to be used or disposed of in such a way as to result in pollution of the environment.

2. To advise on important general principles or new scientific discoveries in connection with mutagenic risks, to co-ordinate with other bodies concerned with the assessment of mutagenic risks and to present recommendations for mutagenicity testing.

SPECIALIST MEMBER OF COMMITTEE ON MUTAGENICITY OF CHEMICALS IN FOOD CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT (COM)

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION: QUALITIES REQUIRED

To help you decide if you have the qualities, skills and experience needed to serve as a member of the COM we have prepared the following checklist. You will be appointed as a member in your own right and will not be expected to represent any particular interest group. To be considered, you must have all the essential qualities.

Essential

You must:
1. Be a recognised expert with a publication record, presentaion at international and national meetings. Representation at professional societies in following areas:

a. Assessment of chemicals for mutagenicity
b. Effects of chemicals on chromosome structure (clastogenicity) c. Effects of chemicals on chromosome number (aneuploidy) 2.

Demonstrate
a. Ability to produce high quality independent analyses of data and ideas.
b. Ability to contribute to overall strategy formulated by Committee
c. Ability to contribute to the discussions of the committee as a team member and to recognise contribution of specialist and lay members
d. Ability to articulate scientific issues and information clearly, comprehensively and concisely.

3. Commitment to Public Health issues

4. Commitment to Public Service Values

Desirable

1. Experience of Committee membership, particularly regulatory and/or advisory toxicology committees

2. Evidence of participation at an international level

Equal Opportunities: We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are particularly anxious to address under-representation on advisory committees of women, people from ethnic minorities and people with disabilities. All appointments are based on merit and the principles of independent assessment, openness and transparency of process.

Political Activity: Whether you are politically active in any way will not be a factor in the consideration of your application. Information on political activity is requested in the application form for monitoring purposes only.

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Membership of Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COM)

The Chief Medical Officer invites applications for two vacancies on the COM for the period January 2002-2004. The COM is an Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body (ANDPB) which provides independent authoritative expert advice to the Government through the Chief Medical Officer and Chairman of the Food Standards Agency on chemical mutagenicity.

The COM meet three times each year in London. There is an attendance allowance of £89 plus Reading Fee of £23 per meeting.

Applications are sought from scientists who have recognised expertise in assessing chemicals for mutagenicity and in particular those who have current experience in:

Clastogenicity with experience and/or research in assessing effects of chemicals on chromosome structure

And/or

Aneuploidy with specific experience/research in assessing effects of chemicals on chromosome number in cells

If you wish to apply please call Khandu Mistry Tel: 020 7972 5020, Fax: 020 7972 5156, Email: Khandu.Mistry@doh.gsi.gov.uk for an information pack and application form. Alternatively visit web site: http://www.doh.gov.uk/com.htm. Closing date: 31 December 2001

The Department of Health welcomes applications regardless of gender, race, disability or sexual orientation. A quaranteed interview scheme is available for people with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for appointment. The Department is committed to the principle of public appointments based on merit with independent assessment, openness and transparency of process. Political activity will not be a criterion for appointment.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS