Overview

Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management (ELM) – 31666. The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce reflecting the communities we serve. This role is part of the Environment Agency’s effort to reform agricultural policy and spending, moving from the CAP to ELM schemes to support farmers in delivering water, soil and biodiversity outcomes alongside food production.

Working with Defra and delivery partner colleagues, you will aim to improve our services to farmers, influence the design and delivery of incentives within the wider context of organisational responses to government reviews, and help deliver the EA2030 strategy for water, environment and climate.

The Environment Agency ELM team seeks dynamic, strategic thinkers to shape the future of ELM, particularly the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). You will contribute to the continual improvement of the scheme through its design and delivery.

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 and delivers outcomes.
• Contribute to the delivery of key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme and support continual scheme improvements.

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 extensive 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 advances ideas.

Ideal Qualities

• Get things done, including through others; embody the organisation’s culture; maintain trusted information; cascade key information; build relationships quickly; manage challenging situations effectively.

Other Information

• You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan. Appropriate training will be provided.
• EA Office base location is flexible/hybrid in England due to national remit; some travel/overnights may be required.
• We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel.
• Please read the Candidate/Additional Information Pack for information. For more information please contact:
• Kate Bayley: kate.bayley@environment-agency.gov.uk
• D-J Gent: dj.gent@environment-agency.gov.uk

Applications are “blind” assessed using competency questions. Interviews are expected via MS Teams two weeks after the closing date. If you consent to being on a reserve list, your details may be kept for 6 months and you may be offered an alternative post.

Competencies

• Shapes organisational approach & delivery: Informing and influencing Government Policy and Agricultural scheme design and implementation. Provide example of supporting strategic work and organisational priorities, targets and resources.
• Achieves Results: Prioritising and organising tasks and resources under uncertainty; provide an example of timely delivery.
• Focuses on Customers and Partners: Addressing internal and external customer needs; provide an example of rapid, effective response and expectation management.
• Delivers Results Through Others: Harnessing a team to deliver on time and to required standards.
• Seeing the Big Picture: Understanding and reacting to changing direction, goals and business of the Environment Agency; discuss implications of government reviews on water sector and regulatory reform.

Important notice: The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service. We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share, and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy for disabled applicants.