Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

The Environment Agency is committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We seek diversity and aim to live it for the benefit of staff, communities and the environment.

Overview

England is reforming agricultural policy and spending to Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. ELM schemes support farmers to provide public goods in return for public money, incentivising land managers to deliver water, soil and biodiversity outcomes alongside food production. The Environment Agency (EA) aims to influence the design and delivery of incentives within the wider context of shaping our organisational response to government reviews. This role contributes to the EA2030 strategy and targets for water, the environment and climate, in collaboration with Defra and delivery partner colleagues.

This role will involve informing and shaping the future of ELM, particularly the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT), and delivering key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme. You will provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, oversee programme milestones, identify risks and resource requirements, and work across teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate a scheme that supports our 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 continuous improvement of CSHT through its design and delivery.
• Represent EA expertise to Defra, delivery bodies and the agriculture sector to achieve consistency and improve cross-organisation collaboration.
• Engage with the Nature & Place Directorate and the National Agriculture and Land Team in an agile, collaborative environment.

Experience and 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 related to significant agriculture sector reform.
• Ability to interpret/evaluate evidence and propose risk-based solutions for challenging problems.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver complex work; self-starter who develops and advances ideas.
• Demonstrated ability to work with uncertainty and deliver results through others.

Ideal candidate capabilities

• Get things done, including through others
• Embodies organisational culture and trusted information
• Cascades key information and builds relationships quickly
• Calms and manages stakeholder expectations

Location and Working Arrangements

EA Office base location is flexible/hybrid in England; some travel/overnights will be required. The team operates with smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel.

Additional Information

Contractors may be considered via the standard Civil Service/access routes. The Environment Agency is committed to flexible working patterns, including job share. A Guaranteed Interview Policy is available for eligible applicants with disabilities. If you are applying from the Civil Service, note that EA is not part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant upon appointment. You may be eligible for continuous service for redundancy purposes depending on previous public sector service.

Contacts:

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

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

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Management and Manufacturing

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