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.

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

Responsibilities

• Support the delivery and upscaling of Natural Flood Management (NFM) across England.
• Contribute to project tracking, grant management, and secretariat support for the £25 million NFM Programme.
• 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 (e.g., environmental and hydrological monitoring, permitting, asset management) with initiative and independence.
• Engage with and coordinate across delivery bodies and stakeholders; build and sustain relationships.
• Ambiguity management: manage a varied workload and progress work independently.

Experience/Skills Required

• 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 experience.
• 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 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 during the week commencing 3 November.

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share; please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also 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.

The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra. We use Central Government frameworks and contracts for external recruitment. For information about becoming a supplier through the Crown Commercial Service, please visit the official government page.

Important guidance

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application; however, all examples and statements must be truthful and taken directly from your own experience. Plagiarism may lead to withdrawal of the application. We align with Civil Service guidance on the use of AI.