Overview

We’re on an ambitious journey to embed nature-based solutions at the heart of flood resilience. 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 and to support the £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. The role involves hybrid working with some travel and overnight stays. Responding to incidents is a central part of the work, and you will be required to have an incident role and be 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 your incident role.

Join a small, inclusive Natural Flood Management Team within the Strategy and Adaptation Department of the national Flood and Coastal Risk Management Directorate. 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 welcomed 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 in a hybrid model with some travel and overnight stays; respond to incidents and provide business continuity support as required (may attract additional payment and training).

Experience / Qualifications

• A relevant qualification or experience in FCRM or a related discipline is essential.
• Experience in 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.

Contact

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).

Inclusion and Employment Information

• We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and welcome candidates from all backgrounds. We welcome flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share.
• We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
• Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and uses Central Government frameworks for recruitment; please review guidance for suppliers if applicable.
• If applying from the Civil Service, Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service, and you would not be a Crown Servant upon appointment. For details on continuous service and redundancy calculations, contact your HR team.

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