Overview

Flood and Coastal Risk Management - Advisor - Natural Flood Management (NFM). This permanent role supports delivering and upscaling NFM across England, within the Strategy and Adaptation Department of the National Flood and Coastal Risk Management Directorate.

You’ll support the £25 million NFM Programme through project tracking, grant management, and secretariat support, and help mainstream innovative approaches trialled through the programme into the wider FCERM investment portfolio. You’ll also coordinate the NFM Community of Practice and respond to stakeholder enquiries. The role may require you to 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 the role, with the possibility of an additional payment and full training and workplace adjustments provided to support the incident role.

The team

You’ll join a small, inclusive Natural Flood Management Team within the Strategy and Adaptation Department. 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 tasks.
• Help mainstream innovative NFM approaches into the wider FCERM investment portfolio.
• Coordinate the NFM Community of Practice and respond to stakeholder enquiries.
• Lead specific workstreams as required (e.g., environmental and hydrological monitoring, permitting, asset management) with initiative and independence.
• Coordinate cross-team activity and contribute to delivery of the NFM programme.
• Be available to respond to incidents and provide business continuity support, with associated training and adjustments provided as needed.

Experience and Qualifications

• A relevant qualification or experience in FCERM 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 across a 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.
• Experience using GIS tools and carrying out spatial data analysis.

Other information

• We are committed to building an inclusive workforce reflecting the communities we serve; applications from all backgrounds are welcome.
• Contact and interviews: 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 during the week commencing 3 November.
• We welcome flexible working patterns and job share where possible. Please indicate your preferred working arrangements on your application.
• The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body; there is a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria.
• For information on applying or becoming a supplier on government frameworks, see the Crown Commercial Service guidance linked in the original posting.

Competencies

• Achieves Results — Please provide an example of delivering a complex or challenging outcome with incomplete information or uncertainty, including steps taken to move forward.
• Manages Self — Describe how you used personal organisation and resilience to manage a demanding situation and maintain wellbeing.
• Works in Teams — Describe how your contribution supported team effectiveness and outcomes.
• Data and Information Management — Describe how you collected, analysed, and interpreted a complex data set and presented findings.

Artificial intelligence and originality note: Applicants should be truthful and rely on their own experience. See civil service guidance for appropriate use of AI.