Overview

Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce. We welcome flexible working patterns and aim to reflect the communities we serve.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, and oversee Programme milestones for the Farming and Countryside Programme and the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT).
• Identify future risks and resource requirements; work across a variety of teams and organisations, with senior leaders, to articulate a scheme that supports and delivers outcomes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of ELM scheme design and delivery within the wider context of reform and environmental goals, aligning with the EA2030 strategy and government targets for water, environment and climate.
• Influence the design and delivery of incentives within government reviews and regulatory reform to achieve clean water, economic growth, and nature recovery through regulation.
• Represent EA expertise to Defra, delivery bodies and the agriculture sector to achieve consistency and improve cross-organisation collaboration.
• Participate in agile, fast-paced delivery in a dispersed team that uses smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel.

Experience and Qualifications

• 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 agricultural sector reform.
• Experience interpreting/evaluating evidence to propose effective, risk-based solutions for challenging problems.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver complex work; self-starter who actively develops and takes ideas forward.
• Ideal candidates will demonstrate they can: get things done through others; embody the organisational culture; ensure information is trusted; cascade key information; build relationships quickly; and manage stakeholder expectations.

Team, Location and Working Arrangements

The team sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, part of the National Agriculture and Land Team. We operate in an agile, flexible, and collaborative environment and are a dispersed team that uses smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel. National role with flexible/hybrid working in England; some travel/overnights required.

How to Apply and Contact

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

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria.