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. 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.

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. It’s a dynamic space, and we welcome flexible working for all roles.

Responsibilities

• Support the £25 million NFM Programme through project tracking, grant management, and secretariat support.
• Coordinate the NFM Community of Practice and respond to stakeholder enquiries.
• Lead workstreams such as environmental and hydrological monitoring, permitting, or asset management with initiative and independence.
• Travel as required for hybrid working; some travel and overnight stays.
• Incident response role and business continuity support during incidents (may attract additional payment; training and workplace adjustments available).

Experience and skills

• Proactive individual with a strong track record of delivering results; capable of managing a varied workload and coordinating across teams.
• Essential: relevant qualification or experience in FCRM or related discipline.
• Experience in: natural flood management commissioning/funding/delivery, project and grant management, EA processes and governance, stakeholder relations, clear communication, digital/data skills (coding, Power BI, Power Automate), GIS tools and spatial data analysis.

Contact and additional information

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 week commencing 3rd November.

EEO and working arrangements

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Flexible working patterns are welcome, including job share; please include your preferred working arrangements. We have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with disabilities. The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by Defra. For information on becoming a supplier, visit the Crown Commercial Service page.

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