Overview

Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

The Environment Agency seeks to build an inclusive, diverse workforce and to support farmland and land management through Environmental Land Management (ELM) reforms. ELM schemes incentivise farmers and land managers to deliver water, soil and biodiversity outcomes alongside food production, with a broader aim to support a resilient, productive agricultural sector aligned with the EA2030 strategy and government targets for water, environment and climate.

The role involves influencing the design and delivery of incentives within the wider context of government reviews and the Environment Agency’s response to these reforms. It includes informing and shaping the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) and delivering key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme, with focus on continuous improvement of the scheme through its design and delivery.

You will provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, oversee programme milestones, identify risks and resource requirements, and work with senior leaders across teams and organisations to articulate a scheme that supports outcomes.

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 a scheme that supports outcomes.
• Contribute to the design and delivery of incentives within the ELM framework and related government reviews.
• Support delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) products within the Farming and Countryside Programme.
• Promote agile, collaborative working in a dispersed team and foster a welcoming, inclusive environment.

Qualifications and Experience

• 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 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 ideas and brings them forward.

Ideal Candidate Capabilities

• Get stuff done, including through others
• Embody our culture
• Ensure information is trusted
• Cascade key information
• Build relationships quickly
• Soothe troubled waters

Working Arrangements

EA Office base location is flexible/hybrid in England; some travel/overnights may be required. You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan and appropriate training will be provided. The Environment Agency supports flexible working patterns including job share; please indicate preferred arrangements in your application. A Guaranteed Interview Policy is in place to support applicants with a disability.

Location and Application Details

Brighton, England, United Kingdom (national role; location flexible/hybrid). Interviews are expected via MS Teams two weeks after the closing date. Applications are blind and assessed based on competency questions. For more information, contact:

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

We use Central Government frameworks for recruitment; the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. See the Candidate/Additional Information Pack for details.