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 work to deliver the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, moving from CAP to new policy and spending arrangements. 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 the agency's response to government reviews and the EA2030 strategy for water, the environment and climate.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, and oversee programme milestones.
• Identify future risks and resource requirements; work across teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate schemes that deliver outcomes.
• Contribute to the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) products within the Farming and Countryside Programme and support continuous improvement in scheme design and delivery.
• Influence the design and delivery of incentives within the wider policy and regulatory context, including engagement with Defra and other delivery bodies.

Team and environment

The role sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, National Agriculture and Land Team. We operate in an agile, fast-paced, flexible and collaborative environment and value an inclusive, supportive culture. We are a dispersed team that uses smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel.

Experience / 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 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 proactively develops and advances ideas.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate

• Ability to get things done, including through others
• Alignment with organisational culture and trusted information management
• Capacity to cascade key information and build relationships quickly
• Ability to manage and resolve challenging situations

Additional information

• Flexible/hybrid working in England; some travel and overnights may be required.
• Incident management objective may be included in development plan; appropriate training provided.
• National role with EA Office base location; reading the Candidate/Additional Information Pack is recommended.

Applications are assessed on answers to competency questions. Interviews may be held via MS Teams two weeks after the closing date. If you elect to be placed on a reserve list, your details may be retained for up to 6 months for potential alternative posts.