Overview

Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce reflective of the communities we serve. We are seeking dynamic, strategic thinkers to join the Environment Agency’s ELM team and help shape the future of Environmental Land Management schemes, including the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). This role supports the design and delivery of incentives within the wider context of government reviews and EA2020/EA2030 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 diverse teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate a scheme that supports outcomes.
• Influence the design and delivery of incentives within the Environmental Land Management context.
• Deliver key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme and contribute to continuous improvement of the scheme through its design and delivery.

Team and Environment

The team sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, part of the National Agriculture and Land Team, working with government, statutory bodies and industry. We operate in an agile, fast-paced, flexible, and collaborative environment, with a focus on reducing travel through smart tools and a supportive culture.

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 associated with significant agricultural sector reform.
• Experience interpreting/evaluating evidence to propose risk-based solutions for challenging problems.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver complex work; a self-starter who develops and advances ideas.

Ideal Candidates Will Demonstrate

• Ability to get things done, including through others.
• Ability to embody the organisation’s culture and build trusted information.
• Capability to cascade key information and build relationships quickly.
• Resilience in managing and soothing stakeholder situations.

Competencies

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

Location and Working Arrangements

EA Office base location is flexible/hybrid in England with some travel/overnights required. You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan; appropriate training will be provided.

How to Apply and Additional Information

Applications are blind assessed using competency questions. Interviews are expected via MS Teams two weeks after the closing date. If you are applying from Civil Service, note EA is not part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant. Flexible working patterns are welcome, including job share. We guarantee interview to applicants with a disability whose application meets minimum criteria. For information, contact: Kate Bayley (kate.bayley@environment-agency.gov.uk) or D-J Gent (dj.gent@environment-agency.gov.uk).

We encourage diverse applications and are committed to equal opportunity.