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, and you may have an incident role with training and adjustments provided to support you. The team you’ll join is 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. Flexible working is welcomed for all roles.

Experience/skills Required

We’re seeking a proactive individual with a strong track record of delivering results. You’ll be confident managing a varied workload, coordinating across teams, and progressing work independently. A relevant qualification or experience in FCRM or a related discipline is essential. We welcome candidates with experience in:

• Natural Flood Management – commissioning, funding, delivery, and identifying opportunities and barriers to upscaling
• Project and grant management
• 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 during the week commencing 3 November.

Competencies

1. Achieves Results

   Please give an example of a time when you successfully delivered a complex or challenging outcome despite having incomplete information or uncertainty around the solution. How did you approach the situation, and what steps did you take to move forward and achieve results?

2. Manages Self

   Please give us a work example where you drew on your personal organisation skills and resilience to manage a demanding situation. What techniques or approaches did you use to stay effective, and how did you ensure your wellbeing was maintained throughout?

3. Works in Teams

   Thinking of a time when you’ve worked as part of an effective team, describe how your behaviour, skills, and knowledge contributed to the team’s effectiveness. What was the outcome, and is there anything you’re particularly proud to have achieved as part of that team?

4. Data and Information Management

   Describe a time when you collected, analysed, and interpreted a complex set of data. How did you approach the task, what tools did you use, and how did you present your findings to communicate a compelling case to your audience?

Note: If you are 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 in the event of being appointed. We are committed to diversity and flexibility in working arrangements, including job share.

AI note: Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, but all examples must be truthful and taken from your own experience. See Civil Service guidance for appropriate use.