Job Description

The Environment Agency are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.

A Portfolio Analyst is responsible for the oversight of a collection of programmes or projects that contribute to the delivery of departmental or business area objectives. They focus primarily on providing insight, information and support that strengthens portfolio governance and enables prioritisation decisions and effective allocation of resources across the portfolio. Ultimately, analysts help ensure optimal delivery of departmental/business strategic objectives in line with government priorities through the analysis of a range of information sources and engagement with programme and project stakeholders, and converting this into informed insights using appropriate reporting and visualisation methods.

• Project pipeline – Works with business areas to identify and categorise new projects.
• Governance and reporting – Co‑coordinate reporting from projects and provide analysis of performance. Provide secretariat for governance boards.
• People and leadership – Support the Portfolio Manager to communicate and build commitment to a shared vision and sense of purpose.
• Planning, scheduling and resourcing – Maintain portfolio delivery map and critical path to monitor project progress. Recognise and track interdependencies across change projects.
• Risk and opportunity management – Identify and monitor portfolio risks (threats and opportunities) and escape as appropriate.
• Stakeholder management – Manage and engage with a wide range of stakeholders. Draft and sign‑off correspondence.
• Benefits management – Help develop mechanisms for measuring benefits.

The team

You’ll join the Portfolio Management Office (PMO) who are part of the Transformation Team within the STA (Strategy, Transformation and Assurance) directorate. The PMO support change, transformation, and continuous improvement across the business. STA foster inclusive, supportive cultures and use evidence and innovation to influence policy and delivery.

Experience / skills required

In your capability‑based answers please demonstrate your ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.

• Strong analytical skills with proven experience as a Portfolio Analyst or Business Analyst.
• Proven experience of building and maintaining dashboards or reporting tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau, or advanced Excel).
• Ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries and build constructive relationships.
• Clear communication skills, able to explain complex analysis simply and persuasively to non‑technical audiences.
• Self‑motivation and adaptability, comfortable working independently as well as part of a team.
• Experience of producing guidance, toolkits or frameworks to support colleagues.
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work.

Contact and additional information

You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given.

You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is hybrid. We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, some travel and overnights may be required.

Please read the Candidate/Additional Information Pack for information. Any queries, contact Rebecca.atkinson@environment‑agency.gov.uk

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions. Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date. If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

Competence 1 – Achieves Results

Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

Question: Tell me about a challenging goal that you have set for yourself and the steps that you took to achieve it.

• Why did you set yourself this goal?
• How did you plan and prioritise your work to meet your goal?
• How did you monitor progress?
• What was the outcome?
• What were your learning points and is there anything you would do differently if in a similar position in the future?

Competence 2 – Focuses on Customers and Partners

Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

Question: Please tell us about how you built and maintained effective working relationships with stakeholders on a project or task you have worked on.

• Who were the main stakeholders?
• Why were they your main stakeholders?

Competence 3 – Data and Information Management

Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.

Question: Please give an example of when you have had to analyse and interpret data and present it in a useable format.

• What was the situation?
• What data were you required to supply?
• How did you ensure the quality of the data?
• How did you present it?

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

Associate

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Finance and Sales