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 £25 million NFM Programme through project tracking, grant management, and secretariat support.
• 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.
• Collaborate across teams and manage a varied workload; progress work independently.
• Travel as required for hybrid working arrangements; may include overnight stays.
• Respond to incidents as part of the incident role; participate in training and receive workplace adjustments as needed.

Experience and Qualifications

• 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.

We’re committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds.

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 in the week commencing 3 November.

Notes on Civil Service Status and Diversity
We also include statements related to Civil Service status, continuous service, and eligibility for continuous service for local government employees as applicable. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status please contact your HR team. We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share. Please include 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 have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. The Environment Agency is committed to providing value for money and uses Central Government frameworks and contracts for external recruitment. For information about becoming a supplier through the Crown Commercial Service, visit the linked guidance.

Artificial intelligence usage notice AI can be a useful tool to support your application, however all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism is identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by AI, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. We subscribe to and align with Civil Service guidance on the use of AI as available on the Civil Service Careers website.

Seniority level

• Associate

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Finance and Sales

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