Aims and Objectives of the Group
- Develop and promote a professional specialism within dietetics.
- Represent a defined group of members.
- Bring together Dietitians with an interest in the nutrition of older people – we believe nutrition for older adults is a specialism on a par with any other area of dietetic expertise.
- Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and experience - OPSG has a discussion forum (see below once logged in) which we encourage members to use to post questions and offer replies.
- Offer advice and support to Dietitians working with older people – our website provides access to an annually updated list of key national resources and guidelines on all aspects of nutrition in older adults.
- Produce evidence-based resources to promote and encourage good nutrition for older people we produce simple patient/carer resources which are available to purchase from NDR-UK.
- Build links with other agencies and voluntary organisations - we assist various national organisations and charities (see Friends of the Elderly as an example) to improve the accuracy and appropriateness of their nutrition resources for older people.
- Support research – we offer our support to relevant research projects.
- Promote older peoples nutrition on X and Instagram– follow us @BDA_olderpeople.
- Champion the use of food as treatment in cases of malnutrition - we believe that our in-depth knowledge and understanding of food is one of the unique skills of Dietitians.
What the post has to offer
As the specialist group Consultation Officer, you will work closely with the committee to provide guidance and support for specialist group members.
You will have an overview of the strategic developments affecting the specialist group from both within the BDA and externally to the profession. Using your knowledge and skills to represent specialist group members interests, advocate for the specialism and the dietetic profession as a whole.
We don’t expect you to do it alone, you’ll work closely with the specialist group committee and with the support of the BDA staff team to deliver your specialist group aims and objectives.
Through this position you will gain project management, communication and governance skills, which can translate directly into career development. It will also give you an opportunity to work with colleagues across your speciality, building networks, sharing knowledge and skills.
Main tasks and responsibilities
- Review and respond to consultations from NICE and other relevant bodies in relation to the specialist group.
- Gather insights and feedback from relevant stakeholders, including committee members, professionals, and service users.
- Draft and contribute to written responses to consultations, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and evidence-based best practices.
- Liaise with external organisations where appropriate to coordinate responses and influence.
- Stay informed about developments in health and care policies, guidelines, and evidence that may impact the specialist group.
- Ensure timely submission of responses in accordance with consultation deadlines.
- Provide feedback on the impact of responses and any subsequent changes to guidelines or policies.
- Lead on the review of relevant resources such as group resources, BDA Food Fact sheets and NDR UK resources to ensure content is in line with current evidence base.
Training Support and Resources
As the Consultation Officer you’ll work closely with the Volunteer Manager and teams across the BDA who offer support, guidance and advice. Support for this role is offered by key committee members including the Chair, Education and Research Officer who work as a team to promote the work of the group.
We have a variety of resources, tools and training available to support this role including:
- Induction with BDA staff and a full handover from the previous postholder.
- Training and development opportunities to help build personal and professional skills including workshops, webinars and the BDA’s annual volunteer conference.
- Access to our volunteer hub with a wide range of website editing tools and resources.
- Access to our volunteer handbook and volunteer hub providing a range of resources and guidance.
- Regular communications including a monthly volunteer ezine with BDA updates and opportunities.
- Networking with other volunteers through events, webinars and access to our volunteer forums.
Length of service and commitment
You will be elected for a two-year term of office and hope that you will be able to stay in the role throughout this term. There is the option to extend for an additional two-year term. We hope that reasonable notice would be given if you are no longer able to fulfil this role, as we appreciate that circumstances can change.
There are a number of training and development opportunities available, including a detailed induction with BDA staff and governance training to be undertaken upon commencement of each term.
Committee meetings are held regularly and can be attended virtually if required. There is a varying and flexible amount of work in between meetings which is dependent on the strategy, workplans and projects agreed to by the committee.
The specialist group holds a minimum of one event for members a year which includes the Annual General Meeting, it is typical for the committee to attend these events.
Appointment method
To apply for this role please submit a nomination form by Tuesday 8 April. Nominees must be a member of the group and provide the names and signatories of two BDA members to support their nomination.
If you would like an informal, confidential discussion about the role and the nomination process, please contact Jen Grant at [email protected].