Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666

Environment Agency role focused on shaping and delivering Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, with emphasis on the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). The team sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, part of the National Agriculture and Land Team, and works with Defra and delivery partners to improve services to farmers and land managers in support of EA2030 strategy and government targets for water, environment and climate.

This is a senior advisory role that involves informing and influencing government policy and agricultural scheme design, delivering and supervising programme milestones, and identifying risks and resource needs. You will work across multiple teams and organisations, including senior leaders, to articulate a scheme that supports and delivers outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, and oversee programme milestones.
• Identify future risks and resource requirements; work with stakeholders to shape the design and delivery of incentives within the ELM framework.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of CSHT products and the Farming and Countryside Programme.
• Engage with Defra, delivery bodies, and the agriculture sector to achieve consistency and improve collaboration across organisations.
• Represent Environment Agency expertise to external partners and internal teams to support strategic decisions.

Experience and Skills Required

• Experience of Agriculture and working with Defra and other statutory bodies is essential.
• Political awareness with excellent communication and networking skills.
• Understanding of environmental sensitivities related to major agricultural sector reform.
• Experience interpreting and evaluating evidence to propose risk-based, effective solutions for challenging problems.
• Ability to prioritise and deliver complex work; self-starter who develops and advances ideas.

Ideal Capabilities

• Shapes Organisational Approach & Delivery
• Achesieves Results
• Seeing the Bigger Picture (Business of the EA)
• Focuses on Customers and Partners
• Delivers Results Through Others

Location and Travel

• EA Office base location; national role with flexible/hybrid working in England.
• Some travel and overnights may be required; smart tools used to stay connected and reduce travel.

Application and Selection

• Applications are evaluated blind based on competency questions. Interviews are expected to be held via MS Teams two weeks after the closing date.
• If you are shortlisted, you may undergo a full sift or go directly to assessment/interview.
• We welcome flexible working arrangements and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy for applicants with disabilities who meet minimum criteria.
• If you consent to being placed on a reserve list, your details may be kept for up to 6 months for potential alternative posts.

Contacts

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

Additional Information

• During the application process, please provide any information regarding preferred working arrangements.
• Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; continuous service rules may differ. For staff in local government or other listed bodies, continuous service may apply for redundancy calculations.
• We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from individuals with disabilities, and we provide flexible working options and support as needed.