Flood and Coastal Risk Management - Senior Advisor - Natural Flood Management - 32183

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Job Description

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 senior role offers a unique opportunity to shape and accelerate our work to scale up NFM - building on learning, piloting approaches, and filling evidence gaps. You’ll lead key areas of work that influence national policy, investment decisions, and on-the-ground practice.

The role is likely to focus on several key priorities, including supporting the set-up and managing the delivery of emerging large-scale NFM pilots; leading the evaluation of our £25 million NFM programme - this includes taking ownership of the national analysis of hydrological and environmental monitoring data, alongside wider evidence and learning. You’ll align with and deliver the agreed national direction of travel, supporting our top priorities for mainstreaming NFM. As these priorities evolve, so will your focus.

You’ll manage stakeholder relationships across the Environment Agency (EA) and beyond - including operational staff, delivery bodies, national colleagues, and partners such as Natural England and Defra. You’ll co‑lead the internal NFM Community of Practice, helping to build capability and share learning. You’ll also act as a role model for the advisor in the team and work collaboratively - keeping colleagues informed and aligned.

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 others 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.

Experience/skills Required

You’ll be comfortable managing competing priorities and leading work independently.

A relevant qualification or experience in FCERM or a related discipline is essential. A degree is desirable.

We welcome candidates with experience in:

• Natural Flood Management – including, for example, commissioning, funding, delivery, and identifying opportunities, filling gaps and removing barriers to upscaling
• Innovating and piloting approaches
• Programme and financial management including grant giving
• EA processes and governance (e.g. Scheme of Delegation and assurance)
• Building and sustaining stakeholder relationships, including working with delivery bodies.
• Communicating with clarity and impact, both written and verbal, including briefing senior leaders
• Distilling key findings from evidence and insights, and translating them into strategic recommendations

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). Interviews will take place virtually week commencing 17 November.

Competence 1: Achieves Results

Describe a time when you had to deliver high‑quality results under pressure and in the face of uncertainty. How did you set priorities, manage competing demands, and navigate ambiguity to move the work forward?

Competence 2: Focuses on Customers and Partners

Describe a time when you had to balance the needs of multiple internal or external customers with conflicting priorities. How did you manage expectations, communicate clearly, and work toward a constructive outcome for all parties involved?

Competence 3: Programme and Project Management

Tell us about a time you led a complex project or programme involving multiple teams or stakeholders. How did you ensure alignment, keep everyone focused, manage risks, and deliver successfully?

Competence 4: Communicates Effectively

Tell us about a time when you had to explain complex or detailed information to others. How did you make sure it was clear and easy to understand for different people, and what communication methods did you use?

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. 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 then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly 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, as a Non‑Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.

Artificial intelligence 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 has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non‑departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Finance and Sales