Overview

The Environment Agency is reforming agricultural policy and spending through Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. ELM schemes incentivise farmers and 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 organisational response to government reviews and to help deliver EA2030 strategy and government targets for water, environment and climate. The Environment Agency ELM team seeks dynamic, strategic thinkers to help shape the future of ELM, particularly the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT).

Responsibilities

• Deliver key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme and contribute to continuous improvement of the scheme through its design and delivery.
• Provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, deliver and oversee programme milestones, and 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.

Location and Team

• The role 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, using smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel. Some travel/overnights will be required.

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 environmental sensitivities associated with significant agriculture 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 develops ideas and takes them forward.

Ideal candidates will show they can

• get things done, including through others
• embody our culture
• ensure information is trusted
• cascade key information
• build relationships quickly
• address difficult issues constructively

Capabilities Shapes Organisational Approach & Delivery; Achieves Results; Seeing the Bigger Picture; Focuses on Customers and Partners; Delivers Results Through Others

Candidate Information

• You’ll have a development plan with an incident management objective; appropriate training will be provided.
• EA Office base location is optional; the role is national and flexible/hybrid in England.
• Some travel required; smart tools are used to stay connected.
• Refer to the Candidate/Additional Information Pack for more details. For information contact Kate Bayley (kate.bayley@environment-agency.gov.uk) or D-J Gent (dj.gent@environment-agency.gov.uk).

Application Process

• Applications are blind assessed based on competency questions. Interviews via MS Teams two weeks after the closing date.
• If on a reserve list, details may be held for 6 months for potential offers.

Competencies and Descriptions

1. Shapes organisational approach & delivery — inform and influence policy and scheme design; provide examples of strategic work and resource alignment.
2. Achieves Results — prioritise and organise tasks and resources under uncertainty; describe relevant experience.
3. Focuses on Customers and Partners — address internal and external customer needs and manage expectations.
4. Delivers Results Through Others — harness the team to deliver on time and to standard.
5. Seeing the Big Picture — understand implications of government reviews on water sector and EA regulation.

Notes

• We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working patterns, including job sharing.
• There is a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with a disability whose application meets minimum criteria.
• The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; check your status with HR if unsure about continuous service.