Flood and Coastal Risk Management – Advisor – Natural Flood Management – 32108

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.

About the role

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. 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 and full training and workplace adjustments will be available to support you with your incident role.

Our team

You’ll join a small, inclusive NFM Team within the Strategy and Adaptation Department of our national Flood and Coastal Risk Management Directorate. The team works closely with Defra and other partners to shape the future of flood resilience, set strategic direction and drive innovation. It’s a dynamic space that welcomes flexible working for all roles.

What you’ll do

• Deliver and upscale NFM across England, supporting the £25 million NFM Programme
• Project tracking, grant management and secretariat support for the NFM Programme
• Mainstream innovative NFM approaches across the FCERM investment portfolio
• Coordinate the NFM Community of Practice and respond to stakeholder enquiries
• Lead specific workstreams – e.g., environmental and hydrological monitoring, permitting, asset management
• Ensure incident response readiness and provide business continuity support when required

Experience and skills

• Relevant qualification or experience in Flood, Coastal and River Management or a related discipline
• Experience in Natural Flood Management – commissioning, funding, delivery and identifying upscaling opportunities
• Project and grant management experience
• Understanding of EA processes and governance (e.g. Scheme of Delegation and assurance)
• Building and sustaining stakeholder relationships
• Clear, effective communication skills
• Strong digital and data skills – coding, Power BI, Power Automate and effective use of tracking and filing systems
• GIS tools and spatial data analysis capabilities

We value diversity and inclusion

We are fully committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment.

How to apply

If you have 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 beginning 3 November.

Competencies

Competence 1 – Achieves Results Example question: Please give an example of a time when you successfully delivered a complex or challenging outcome despite having incomplete information or uncertainty around the solution.

Competence 2 – Manages Self Example question: Please give us a work example where you drew on your personal organisation skills and resilience to manage a demanding situation.

Competence 3 – Works in Teams Example question: Thinking of a time when you’ve worked as part of an effective team, describe how your behaviour, skills and knowledge contributed to the team’s effectiveness.

Competence 4 – Data and Information Management Example question: Describe a time when you collected, analysed and interpreted a complex set of data.

Legal and policy statements

For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc.) (Modification) Order 1999 you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We also accept applications through the Crown Commercial Service supplier framework if you wish to become a support supplier.

All applications will be reviewed in light of equal opportunity legislation. We do not discriminate on any protected characteristic.