Overview

Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce reflecting the communities we serve. We are reforming agricultural policy and spending in England through Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, which provide public goods in return for public money. This role supports the design and delivery of ELM incentives and the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) within the Farming and Countryside Programme, contributing to the EA2030 strategy and government targets 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 multiple teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate a scheme that supports outcomes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of CSHT through its design and delivery.
• Influence the design and delivery of incentives within the wider context of organisational response to government reviews related to water, regulation, and nature recovery.
• Collaborate with Defra and delivery partner colleagues to improve services to farmers and land managers.

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 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 as a self-starter who actively develops ideas.
• Demonstrated ability to work with senior stakeholders and across teams to deliver results.

Ideal capabilities

• 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

• Location: EA Office base with flexible/hybrid working in England; some travel/overnights may be required.
• Incident management objective in development plan; training provided.
• Applications are blind; interviews expected via MS Teams two weeks after closing date.
• Flexible working patterns and Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with a disability.

For more information, please contact the Environment Agency recruitment team.