Overview

We’re on an ambitious journey to embed nature-based solutions at the heart of flood resilience. As outlined in our FCERM Strategy and Roadmap, Natural Flood Management (NFM) plays a vital role in reducing flood risk while delivering wider benefits for nature, communities, and society.

This permanent role offers an exciting opportunity to help deliver and upscale NFM across England. You’ll support our £25 million NFM Programme through project tracking, grant management, and secretariat support. You’ll also help mainstream innovative approaches trialled through the programme into the wider FCERM investment portfolio. In addition, you’ll coordinate the NFM Community of Practice and respond to stakeholder enquiries. We’re looking for someone who can confidently lead specific workstreams—such as environmental and hydrological monitoring, permitting, or asset management—with initiative and independence. The role involves hybrid working, with some travel and overnight stays. Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do, and you will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident (this may attract an additional payment; full training and workplace adjustments will be available).

The team: You’ll join a small, inclusive Natural Flood Management Team within the Strategy and Adaptation Department of our national Flood and Coastal Risk Management Directorate. We’re a collaborative and passionate team, driving forward NFM. The department works closely with Defra and other partners to shape the future of flood resilience, set strategic direction, and drive innovation. Flexible working is welcome for all roles.

Responsibilities

• Support the £25 million NFM Programme through project tracking, grant management, and secretariat support.
• Help mainstream innovative approaches trialled through the programme into the wider FCERM investment portfolio.
• Coordinate the NFM Community of Practice and respond to stakeholder enquiries.
• Lead specific workstreams—such as environmental and hydrological monitoring, permitting, or asset management—with initiative and independence.
• Work with hybrid arrangements requiring travel and overnight stays.
• Respond to incidents as part of the incident role and provide business continuity support when required (additional payment may apply; training and workplace adjustments available).

Experience/Skills Required

• A relevant qualification or experience in FCRM or a related discipline.
• Natural Flood Management – commissioning, funding, delivery, and identifying opportunities and barriers to upscaling.
• Project and grant management.
• EA processes and governance (e.g., Scheme of Delegation and assurance).
• Building and sustaining stakeholder relationships, including supporting a wide range of delivery bodies.
• Clear, effective communication.
• Strong digital and data skills, including coding, Power BI, Power Automate and effective use of tracking and filing systems.
• Using GIS tools and carrying out spatial data analysis.

Additional information

We’re committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Flexible working patterns for all vacancies are welcome, including job share; please include any information about preferred working arrangements on your application. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability.

Contact and eligibility: If you’ve got questions about the role, contact Eleanor Heron (eleanor.heron@environment-agency.gov.uk) or Jon Hollis (jon.hollis@environment-agency.gov.uk). Interviews will take place virtually in the week commencing 3 November.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by Defra, is committed to providing value for money and uses Central Government frameworks/contracts for recruitment. For more information, visit the Crown Commercial Service site.

Competences

1. Achieves Results
   • Describe a time when you successfully delivered a complex or challenging outcome despite incomplete information or uncertainty. How did you approach the situation, and what steps did you take to move forward and achieve results?
2. Manages Self
   • Describe a work example where you used personal organisation skills and resilience to manage a demanding situation. What techniques did you use to stay effective, and how did you maintain wellbeing?
3. Works in Teams
   • Describe how your behaviour, skills, and knowledge contributed to a team’s effectiveness. What was the outcome, and what are you proud to have achieved as part of that team?
4. Data and Information Management
   • Describe a time when you collected, analysed, and interpreted a complex data set. How did you approach it, what tools did you use, and how did you present findings to make a compelling case?

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. You will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants in local government or other bodies, you may be eligible for continuous service for calculating any future redundancy; if unsure, contact your HR Team.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job sharing. Please include information about your preferred working arrangements on your application. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support job seekers with disabilities. The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra and uses government frameworks/contracts for recruitment.

Artificial intelligence note: AI can assist your application, but all examples must be truthful and from your own experience. Plagiarism or AI-generated content presented as your own may lead to disqualification. Further guidance on appropriate AI use is available on Civil Service Careers.

Locations: Gainsborough, Owston Ferry, Greater Lincoln Area, East Markham, Rotherham (various postings).