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 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.
• Capture and manage information, reports, and governance processes in line with EA/FCERM requirements.
• Provide incident response support as required, including potential additional payment and access to training and workplace adjustments.

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.
• Experience in project and grant management.
• Understanding of EA processes and governance (e.g. Scheme of Delegation and assurance).
• Experience building and sustaining stakeholder relationships across delivery bodies.
• Clear, effective communication and strong digital and data skills, including coding, Power BI, Power Automate, and use of tracking and filing systems.
• Experience using GIS tools and carrying out spatial data analysis.

Additional Information

• We welcome flexible working patterns and request details about preferred working arrangements on your application.
• The Environment Agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and has a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support candidates with a disability.
• Interviews will take place virtually in the week commencing 3 November.

Contact

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