Overview

Flood and Coastal Risk Management - Advisor - Natural Flood Management (NFM). This permanent role supports the £25 million NFM Programme through project tracking, grant management, and secretariat support, and helps mainstream innovative approaches into the wider FCERM investment portfolio. The role also involves coordinating the NFM Community of Practice and responding to stakeholder enquiries. The role may involve travel and overnight stays and includes an incident response component with potential additional pay and training.

Responsibilities

• Support the NFM Programme through project tracking, grant management, and secretariat duties.
• Lead specific workstreams (e.g., environmental and hydrological monitoring, permitting, asset management) with initiative and independence.
• Coordinate the NFM Community of Practice and respond to stakeholder enquiries.
• Up-skill and mainstream innovative approaches trialled through the programme into the wider FCERM investment portfolio.
• Deliver incident response as part of the role and provide business continuity support during incidents (may attract additional payment; full training and workplace adjustments available).
• Work as part of a small, inclusive NFM Team within the Strategy and Adaptation Department of the national Flood and Coastal Risk Management Directorate.
• Collaborate with Defra and partners to shape flood resilience, set strategy, and drive innovation; flexible working is welcomed.

Experience and Qualifications

• A relevant qualification or experience in FCRM or a related discipline is essential.
• Proactive, with a strong track record of delivering results, able to manage a varied workload and coordinate across teams.
• Experience in Natural Flood Management – commissioning, funding, delivery, and identifying opportunities and barriers to upscaling.
• Experience in project and grant management; familiarity with EA processes and governance (e.g., Scheme of Delegation and assurance).
• Experience building and sustaining stakeholder relationships across a range of delivery bodies.
• Clear, effective communication and strong digital and data skills (including coding, Power BI, Power Automate, and tracking systems); proficiency with GIS tools and spatial data analysis.

Additional Information

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and welcome flexible working for all roles, including job sharing. Our Guaranteed Interview Policy supports candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria.

Contact for questions: Eleanor Heron (eleanor.heron@environment-agency.gov.uk) or Jon Hollis (jon.hollis@environment-agency.gov.uk). Interviews are planned to take place virtually in the week commencing 3 November.

Notes

The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra. If applying from the Civil Service, you are not a Crown Servant upon appointment. If you are unsure about continuous service or redundancy eligibility, consult your HR team. This position is listed with multiple locations including Lichfield, Royal Sutton Coldfield, Stafford, Uttoxeter, Solihull, Derby, and Birmingham.