Overview

Flood and Coastal Risk Management - Advisor - Natural Flood Management - 32108

We’re on an ambitious journey to embed nature-based solutions at the heart of flood resilience. 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. You’ll coordinate the NFM Community of Practice and respond to stakeholder enquiries. We’re looking for someone who can confidently lead specific workstreams (e.g., 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, and 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.

We 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 duties.
• 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.
• Engage with and support a range of delivery bodies; build and sustain stakeholder relationships.
• Contribute to mainstreaming innovative NFM approaches into the wider FCERM investment portfolio.
• Travel as required for hybrid working and attend meetings or site visits as needed.
• Respond to incidents as part of a defined incident role, with training and workplace adjustments provided.

Experience and Qualifications

• A relevant qualification or experience in FCERM (Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management) 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).
• Experience building and sustaining stakeholder relationships, including supporting a wide range of delivery bodies.
• Clear, effective communication and strong digital and data skills (e.g., coding, Power BI, Power Automate) and effective use of tracking and filing systems.
• Experience using GIS tools and carrying out spatial data analysis.

Diversity, Inclusion and Other Information

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. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. We welcome flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share; please indicate your preferred working arrangements on your application.

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 the week commencing 3 November.

Internal and external guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence: AI can assist in your application, but all examples must be truthful and taken from your own experience. The Environment Agency aligns with Civil Service guidance on AI usage. See the Civil Service Careers website for more information.

Seniority level

• Associate

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Finance and Sales