Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

Overview

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are reforming agricultural policy and spending, moving from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. 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 context of organisational responses to government reviews, supporting the Farming and Countryside Programme, and contributing to the EA2030 strategy for water, environment and climate.

We are seeking dynamic, strategic thinkers to join the ELM team to help shape the future of ELM, particularly the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). The team sits within the Nature & Place Directorate and works in an agile, fast-paced, flexible environment to deliver clarity while managing uncertainty.

Responsibilities

• Deliver key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme; contribute to scheme design and continuous improvement.
• Provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, and oversee programme milestones.
• Identify risks and resource requirements; work across teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate a scheme that delivers outcomes.

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 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 and advances ideas.

Ideal Competencies

• Shapes Organisational Approach & Delivery
• Achieves Results
• Seeing the Bigger Picture
• Focuses on Customers and Partners
• Delivers Results Through Others

Contact and Additional Information

You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan. Appropriate training will be given. You’ll have an EA Office base location, but as a national role the working location is flexible/hybrid in England. Some travel/overnights will be required. 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 your answers to the competency questions. Interviews are expected to be held via MS Teams two weeks after the closing date. If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

Notes

The Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; eligibility for continuous service may vary. We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share. We also guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria.

The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and uses Central Government frameworks for recruitment.