Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

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

England 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 shaping the Organisation's response to recent government reviews, and supporting our EA2030 strategy and government targets for water, the environment and climate. You will work with Defra and delivery partner colleagues to improve services to farmers and contribute to the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) delivery and related programmes.

Role purpose includes advising in meetings, managing commissions, delivering and overseeing programme milestones, identifying risks and resource requirements, and working across teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate a scheme that delivers our outcomes.

The Team The role sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, part of the National Agriculture and Land Team. We work in an agile, fast-paced environment and aim to foster a welcoming, safe, supportive, and collaborative culture. 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.
• 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 and progresses ideas.

Ideal candidates will show they can:

• Get stuff done, including through others
• Embody our culture
• Ensure information is trusted and cascade key information
• Build relationships quickly
• Remedy difficult situations

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

Location & Travel EA Office base location is flexible/hybrid in England; some travel/overnights will be required. We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel.

Application Details

• Applications are blind assessed 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, details may be kept for 6 months and a subsequent offer may follow.

Contacts

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

Important notes

The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; please contact your HR team if unsure about status or continuous service implications. We support flexible working patterns, including job share. We guarantee an interview for applicants with a disability whose application meets minimum criteria. Details on recruitment frameworks are provided in government guidance.