Overview

Flood and Coastal Risk Management - Advisor - Natural Flood Management (NFM) – 32108

This permanent role offers an exciting opportunity to help deliver and upscale Natural Flood Management across England. You’ll support our £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 coordinate the NFM Community of Practice and respond to stakeholder enquiries. The role involves hybrid working with some travel and overnight stays, and incident response is a central part of our work, with training and workplace adjustments provided to support your incident role.

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. The department collaborates with Defra and partners to shape the future of flood resilience, set strategic direction, and drive innovation.

Interviews will take place virtually during week commencing 3 November.

Responsibilities

• Lead specific workstreams within NFM (e.g., environmental and hydrological monitoring, permitting, asset management) with initiative and independence.
• Track projects and manage grants related to the NFM Programme; provide secretariat support to programme governance.
• Coordinate the NFM Community of Practice and respond to stakeholder enquiries.
• Support mainstreaming of innovative approaches trialled in the programme into the wider FCERM investment portfolio.
• Travel and overnight stays as required; participate in incident response and provide business continuity support during incidents (may attract additional payment; training and workplace adjustments provided).

Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant qualification or experience in Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) or a related discipline; strong track record of delivering results.
• Experience in natural flood management (commissioning, funding, delivery, upscaling opportunities and barriers).
• Project and grant management experience; familiarity with EA processes and governance (e.g., Scheme of Delegation and assurance).
• Strong stakeholder relationship management across delivery bodies; clear, effective communication.
• Strong digital and data skills, including coding, Power BI, Power Automate; effective use of tracking and filing systems.
• GIS skills and ability to carry out spatial data analysis.

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to manage a varied workload, coordinate across teams, and progress work independently.
• Strong organisational resilience and wellbeing practices to manage demanding situations.
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration abilities; contribute to team effectiveness.

Additional Information

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Flexible working patterns, including job share, are supported. If applying from the Civil Service, please note the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant on appointment. Conditions regarding continuous service may apply depending on prior local government or other public sector service.

The Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra and may use government frameworks for recruitment. If you have accessibility needs, a Guaranteed Interview Policy is in place to support candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria.

For any questions about the role, contact Eleanor Heron (eleanor.heron@environment-agency.gov.uk) or Jon Hollis (jon.hollis@environment-agency.gov.uk).