Overview
Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666
England is undertaking the most significant reform of agricultural policy and spending in decades, moving from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. ELM schemes support farmers to provide public goods in return for public money, incentivising delivery of water, soil and biodiversity outcomes alongside food production. The Environment Agency aims to improve services to farmers as part of the EA2030 strategy and government targets for water, the environment and climate. This role will influence the design and delivery of incentives within the wider context of government reviews and regulatory reform.
Responsibilities
* Provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, and deliver oversight of 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 the design and delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) products within the Farming and Countryside Programme.
* Influence the design and delivery of incentives in line with reforms and the EA2030 strategy.
Team and Environment
The team sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, part of the National Agriculture and Land Team. We work in an agile, fast-paced, flexible and collaborative environment, managing uncertainty to deliver clarity. We are committed to a welcoming, safe, inclusive environment and use smart tools to stay connected with a dispersed team.
Experience / Skills Required
* Experience of Agriculture and working with Defra and other statutory bodies; ability to represent expertise to achieve consistency and collaboration.
* Politically aware with excellent communication and networking skills.
* Understanding of environmental sensitivities related to significant agricultural 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.
Desirable Qualities
* Ability to get tasks done, including through others; embodiment of organisational culture; ability to cascade information and build relationships quickly.
* Capacity to manage sensitive or difficult conversations effectively.
Competencies (examples to illustrate capabilities)
1. Shapes organisational approach & delivery – Informing and influencing Government policy and agricultural scheme design. Provide examples of strategic work aligned with organisational priorities.
2. Achieves Results – Prioritise and organise tasks and resources under uncertainty; describe timely delivery of results.
3. Focuses on Customers and Partners – Address internal and external customer needs; provide rapid, effective responses and manage expectations.
4. Delivers Results Through Others – Harness a team to deliver on time to required standards and processes.
5. Seeing the Big Picture – Understand and react to changing direction, goals and business of the EA; discuss implications of government reviews on water sector and regulatory reform.
Location and Travel
EA Office base location; national role with flexible/hybrid working in England. Some travel/overnights required. The organisation uses smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel.
Application Details
You will have an incident management objective in your development plan and appropriate training will be provided. Read the Candidate/Additional Information Pack for information. Applications are “blind” assessed using 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, your details may be kept for 6 months for potential offer of an alternative post.
Contacts
* Kate Bayley: kate.bayley@environment-agency.gov.uk
* D-J Gent: dj.gent@environment-agency.gov.uk
EEO statement: We are fully committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce reflective of the communities we serve. Flexible working patterns are welcome, including job sharing. We guarantee an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria. The Environment Agency is a Non-Departmental Public Body and may use government frameworks/contracts for recruitment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr