Overview

Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We seek diversity and strive to live it for the benefit of staff, communities and the environment.

England is reforming agricultural policy and spending from CAP to Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. ELM schemes support farmers to provide public goods in return for public money, incentivising delivery of water, soil and biodiversity outcomes alongside food production. This role will influence the design and delivery of incentives within the wider context of organisational responses to government reviews, supporting the EA2030 strategy and targets for water, environment and climate. It involves shaping and delivery of ELM—particularly the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT)—and contributing to continuous improvement of the scheme through its design and delivery.

You will provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, oversee programme milestones, identify future risks and resource requirements, and work across 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, and works in an agile, fast-paced, flexible environment. We are committed to a welcoming, safe, supportive environment and use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel.

Responsibilities

• Deliver key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme and contribute to continuous improvement of the scheme.
• Provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, and oversee programme milestones.
• Identify future risks and resource requirements; work across a range of teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate a scheme that supports outcomes.

Experience and qualifications

The role represents EA expertise to Defra, delivery bodies and the agriculture sector to achieve consistency and improve collaboration.

• 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 major 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 and advances ideas.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate the ability to:

• get stuff done, including through others
• embody our culture
• ensure 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 and appropriate training will be provided. The EA Office base location is flexible/hybrid within England. Some travel/overnights will be required. We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share, and guarantee an interview for applicants with a disability meeting minimum criteria. This is a national role and travel may be required.

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

Competencies

• Shapes organisational approach & delivery — Provide examples of supporting strategic work and organisational priorities.
• Achieves Results — Prioritise and organise tasks and resources amidst uncertainty.
• Focuses on Customers and Partners — Rapid, effective responses to customer groups and managing expectations.
• Delivers Results Through Others — Harnessing teams to deliver on time and to required standards.
• Seeing the Big Picture — Understand government reviews and regulatory reform implications on the EA and water sector.