Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce and to reflecting the communities we serve. We are undertaking reform of agricultural policy and spending through Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, incentivising land managers to deliver water, soil and biodiversity outcomes alongside food production. This role involves influencing the design and delivery of incentives within the wider context of government reviews and the EA2030 strategy for water, environment and climate. The Environment Agency ELM team seeks dynamic, strategic thinkers to inform and shape the future of ELM, particularly the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). Delivering key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme, your expertise will contribute to continuous improvement of the scheme through its design and delivery. You will provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, oversee programme milestones, and identify future risks and resource requirements. You will work across a variety of teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate a scheme that supports and delivers outcomes.

The team sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, part of the National Agriculture and Land Team, working with government, statutory bodies and industry. We work in an agile, fast-paced, flexible and collaborative environment, managing uncertainty to deliver clarity. We are committed to our people and foster a welcoming, safe, supportive environment where everyone feels valued. We are a dispersed team and use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel.

Experience/skills Required

• Experience of Agriculture and working with Defra and other statutory bodies is essential.
• You are politically aware with excellent communication and networking skills.
• You understand the environmental sensitivities associated with significant agriculture sector reform.
• You have experience interpreting and evaluating evidence to propose effective risk-based solutions for challenging problems.
• You prioritise and deliver complex work.
• You are a self-starter who actively develops and takes ideas forward.

Ideal candidates will show they can:

• get stuff done, including through others
• embody our culture
• make sure our information is trusted
• cascade key information
• build relationships quickly
• soothe troubled waters

Capabilities: Shapes Organisational Approach & Delivery; Achieves Results; Seeing the Bigger Picture (Business of the EA); Focuses on Customers and Partners; Delivers Results Through Others.

Additional information

• You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan. Appropriate training will be provided.
• EA Office base location, with flexible/hybrid working in England; some travel/overnights required.
• Smart tools are used to stay connected and reduce travel.
• Please read the Candidate/Additional Information Pack for information. For more information please contact:
• Kate Bayley: kate.bayley@environment-agency.gov.uk
• D-J Gent: dj.gent@environment-agency.gov.uk

Applications are “blind” assessed using competency questions. Interviews are expected to be held via MS Teams two weeks after the closing date. If you consent to being held on a reserve list, details may be kept for 6 months for potential alternative posts.

Competences

• Shapes organisational approach & delivery
• Achieves Results
• Focuses on Customers and Partners
• Delivers Results Through Others
• Seeing the Big Picture

Disclaimers The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; civil service status details and redundancy considerations are provided in the candidate pack. We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns. We guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability meeting minimum criteria. Details on government procurement frameworks and supplier opportunities are available if applicable.