Overview

Flood and Coastal Risk Management - Advisor - Natural Flood Management (NFM). This permanent role offers an 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 help mainstream innovative approaches trialled through the programme into the wider FCERM investment portfolio. The role involves coordinating the NFM Community of Practice and responding to stakeholder enquiries. The team is part of 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 and drive innovation. Flexible working is welcomed for all roles. The role involves hybrid working with some travel and overnight stays.

Responsibilities

• Support the NFM Programme through project tracking, grant management, and secretariat activities.
• Help mainstream innovative NFM 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.
• Operate in a hybrid working environment with travel and overnight stays as required.
• Respond to incidents as part of the incident role; be available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support. This may attract additional payment; training and workplace adjustments are available to support the incident role.

Team and Organisation

You’ll join a small, inclusive Natural Flood Management Team within the Strategy and Adaptation Department of the national Flood and Coastal Risk Management Directorate. We are a collaborative and passionate team driving NFM forward and work closely with Defra and partners to shape flood resilience, set strategic direction, and drive innovation. We welcome flexible working for all roles.

Experience and Skills Required

• Proactive individual with a strong track record of delivering results; able to manage a varied workload, coordinate across teams, and progress work independently.
• 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).
• Ability to build and sustain stakeholder relationships across a range of delivery bodies.
• Clear, effective communication skills.
• Strong digital and data skills, including coding, Power BI, Power Automate, and effective use of tracking and filing systems.
• Experience using GIS tools and carrying out spatial data analysis.

We’re 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.

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 an Environment Agency, a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra. We are committed to diversity and flexible working; please indicate your preferred working arrangements in your application.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, but all examples and statements must be truthful and taken directly from your own experience. The Environment Agency subscribes to Civil Service guidance on AI usage; review for more information.