Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

Environment Agency

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce. We seek diversity and aim to reflect the communities we serve. England is reforming agricultural policy and spending, moving from CAP to Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. ELM schemes incentivise farmers and land managers to deliver water, soil and biodiversity outcomes alongside food production, and to work with Defra and delivery partners to improve services to farmers. This role will influence the design and delivery of incentives within the wider context of organisational responses to government reviews, supporting the Cleaner Water, Economic Growth and Nature Recovery agenda and EA2030 strategy.

This role will contribute to shaping the future of ELM, particularly the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). You will deliver key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme and help continuously improve the scheme through its design and delivery. You will provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, oversee programme milestones, and identify risks and resource requirements. You will work across a variety of teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate a scheme that supports outcomes.

The team sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, part of the National Agriculture and Land Team. We work in an agile, fast-paced, flexible and collaborative environment, managing uncertainty to deliver clarity. We value our people, foster a welcoming and safe environment, and operate as a dispersed team using smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, and oversee programme milestones for the Farming and Countryside Programme.
• Identify future risks and resource requirements and communicate with senior leaders and partner organisations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of the CSHT design and delivery within the ELM framework.
• Collaborate across teams and external bodies to articulate and deliver outcomes aligned with environmental and regulatory goals.

Experience/Skills Required

• Experience of Agriculture and working with Defra and other statutory bodies is essential.
• Politically aware with excellent communication and networking skills.
• Understanding of environmental sensitivities associated with significant agriculture sector reform.
• Experience interpreting/evaluating evidence to propose risk-based solutions for challenging problems.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver complex work; self-starter who develops ideas and drives them forward.

Ideal Competencies (Examples to demonstrate)

• Shapes organisational approach & delivery: Informing and influencing Government Policy and Agricultural scheme design.
• Achieves Results: Prioritises and organises tasks and resources, manages uncertainty.
• Focuses on Customers and Partners: Addresses needs of internal and external customers; rapid, effective responses.
• Delivers Results Through Others: Harnesses teams to deliver on time and to standard.
• Seeing the Big Picture: Understands changing direction and goals; implications of government reviews on water sector and regulatory reform.

Hiring Process and Working Arrangements

• Applications are assessed; interviews expected via MS Teams two weeks after closing date.
• You may be offered a position if placed on a reserve list; role is national with flexible/hybrid working in England.
• Some travel and occasional overnights may be required; incident management objective included in development plan; appropriate training provided.
• We promote flexible working and offer a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with disabilities.

Contact Information

• Kate Bayley: kate.bayley@environment-agency.gov.uk
• D-J Gent: dj.gent@environment-agency.gov.uk

Location notes: Worthing, West Sussex or other locations in England with hybrid options.

Reference: Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666