Overview

Flood and Coastal Risk Management - Advisor - Natural Flood Management (NFM) – 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, 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 involves hybrid working with some travel and overnight stays, and an incident role with training and potential extra remuneration.

Responsibilities

• Lead specific workstreams within NFM (e.g., environmental and hydrological monitoring, permitting, asset management) with initiative and independence.
• Coordinate the NFM Community of Practice and respond to stakeholder enquiries.
• Support delivery of the £25 million NFM Programme through project tracking and grant management.
• Help mainstream innovative approaches trialled through the programme into the wider FCERM investment portfolio.
• Provide secretariat support and contribute to cross-team collaboration.

Qualifications and experience

• 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 (preferred).
• Project and grant management experience.
• Knowledge of EA processes and governance (e.g., Scheme of Delegation and assurance).
• Experience in building and sustaining stakeholder relationships across delivery bodies.
• Clear, effective communication skills and strong digital/data capabilities (e.g., Power BI, Power Automate, tracking and filing systems).
• GIS proficiency and spatial data analysis skills.

Incidents and working arrangements

The role includes an incident response component. You will be required to take an incident role and be available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during incidents. This may attract additional payment; full training and workplace adjustments will be provided.

Team and environment

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 works closely with Defra and partners to shape flood resilience, set strategic direction, and drive innovation. Flexible working is welcomed.

Contact and additional information

Contacts: Eleanor Heron (eleanor.heron@environment-agency.gov.uk) or Jon Hollis (jon.hollis@environment-agency.gov.uk). Interviews will be held virtually in the week commencing 3 November.

Equal opportunity and accessibility

We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve and welcome flexible working. We guarantee an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria. For further information about civil service status and continuous service, consult your HR team. We also provide guidance on AI usage in applications as described in our policy.

Location: Romsey, Hampshire area (examples include Romsey, Fordingbridge, Salisbury, Isle of Wight and other locations); Portsmouth, Bournemouth, Southampton, Hursley, Whiteley are also referenced as current postings.