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  7. Northern Ireland Representative - Obesity Specialist Group

Northern Ireland Representative - Obesity Specialist Group

Aims and Objectives of the Group  
  • Develop and promote a professional specialism within dietetics. 
  • Represent a defined group of members. 
  • Communicate evidence-based standards and practice in obesity. 
  • Support post registration training in obesity. 
  • Act as a voice of professional expertise, contributing to national guidelines. 
  • Campaign for initiatives aimed at reducing obesity prevalence and leading to health  
  • improvement with an emphasis on reducing health inequalities. 
  • Contribute to reducing obesity stigma by promoting the use of people first language and  
  • the use of non-stigmatising images. 
What the post has to offer 

As the specialist group Northern Ireland Representative, you will work closely with the committee to provide guidance and support for specialist group members in Northern Ireland.  

You will have an overview of the strategic developments affecting the members in the Northern Ireland to guide the decision making of the specialist group. Using your knowledge and skills to represent specialist group members interests, advocate for the specialism and the dietetic profession. 

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 communication, project management and networking 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  

Provide representation and advocacy for members in Northern Ireland 

  • Act as a voice for members in Northern Ireland, ensuring that their unique interests, perspectives and local practices are considered in the work of the specialist group. 
  • Where appropriate, serve as a liaison between the BDA Northern Ireland country board and the specialist group, ensuring strategic alignment. 
  • Serve as a liaison between external groups and the BDA specialist group to strengthen alignment and to enhance the impact of the BDA. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

  • Build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including external groups operating in Northern Ireland. 
  • Promote a collaborative, four-nations approach to the work of our group in line with the BDA strategic plan.  
Training support and resources 

As the Northern Ireland Representative 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, Vice Chair and Secretary 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 several 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 throughout the year 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 groups hold 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. 

Recruitment method 

To apply for this role please submit a nomination form. 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 Lucy at [email protected]. 


Members who support my application

First member

Second member


Declaring conflicts of interest

Council has decided that it is good practice for all members who represent the BDA on outside bodies, who are completing specific pieces of work for the BDA, are executive committee members of specialist groups or members of standing committees to register any interests which may be perceived as potentially generating a conflict of interests with BDA business.

The definition of what needs to be recorded is: the interests of a member which might reasonably be thought by others to influence their actions in their capacity as a BDA member acting on behalf of the BDA. This is consistent with our Members’ Charter and the way other councils work (including the Health Professions Council).

This form will be held confidentially by the BDA Chief Executive and the Honorary Secretary. It will be completed by anyone representing the BDA externally or taking on a distinct piece of work, where the BDA thinks it appropriate that the member complete it. It may be used if a conflict of interests arises and  Council or the Investigatory Committee decides that it needs to access it.

Please complete the following details as fully as possible and declare any possible conflict of interest you may have. Click on either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to answer each question.

I confirm that the information given on this form is correct and understand that failure to disclose relevant information may result in my role representing the BDA being terminated.

I agree that the information I have provided may be disclosed to the Council or the Investigatory Committee if requested.

I acknowledge that, under the terms of my membership of the BDA, I must comply with the rules and policies of the BDA, professional Codes of Conduct and the Members’ Charter. In particular, I will ensure that:

  • I act in the best interests of the BDA
  • I uphold confidentiality and ensure that any information obtained during a visit is used solely for the purposes of the BDA and is not divulged to any person or third party.
  • I conduct myself appropriately and treat all present with equal respect.