Overview

Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce reflecting the communities we serve. This role supports the reform of agricultural policy and spending with Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, delivering public goods through farming and land management for water, soil and biodiversity outcomes alongside food production. The role involves influencing the design and delivery of incentives within the EA2030 strategy and government targets for water, the environment and climate, and working with Defra and delivery partner colleagues to improve services to farmers. The team informs and shapes the future of ELM, particularly the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). Delivering key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme, you will contribute to continuous improvement of the scheme and provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, oversee programme milestones, and identify risks and resource requirements. The team sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, part of the National Agriculture and Land Team, and operates in an agile, fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, deliver and oversee Programme milestones, and identify future risks and resource requirements.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of incentives within the wider context of EA's response to government reviews.
• Work across multiple teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate schemes that support outcomes.
• Support the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) within the Farming and Countryside Programme.

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 related to 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 ideas forward.

Ideal candidate capabilities

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

Competences

• 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 given. The EA base location is flexible/hybrid in England with some travel required. We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel.

We welcome flexible working patterns and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support disabled applicants. The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; if you are applying from local government or other specified bodies you may be eligible for continuous service for redundancy payment purposes. If unsure, contact your HR team.

Please read the Candidate/Additional Information Pack for information. For more information contact:

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

Application process

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