Job Description
Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) plays a vital role in protecting people, places and the natural environment. Government is investing £4.2 billion in FCRM between April 2026 and March 2029 to build and maintain defences across the country. It's an exciting time to join us, and your contribution will help ensure we are ready for future flooding challenges.
The role sits within the Area Programme Team who oversee the FCRM investment programmes for the North East area. In 2026/27 we'll oversee £45 million of investment to better protect homes and businesses from flooding and maintain our existing FCRM assets.
You will work with colleagues across FCRM, Operations Delivery, Finance, and Project and Programme Delivery to develop, manage and deliver the North East's FCRM Investment Programme. It's a varied role that draws on a wide range of transferable skills and offers the opportunity to influence real outcomes for communities and the environment.
Working closely with others, you will be expected to:
* Develop and plan programmes of work
* Track programme progress and performance
* Collect, analyse and interpret data
* Advise on programme risks and opportunities
* Lead on programme carbon monitoring and reporting
* Work closely with project delivery teams and other Risk Management Authorities
* Prepare reports and deliver presentations on programme performance and risks
* Support the Environment Agency's input to the Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.
* Provide technical leadership by mentoring junior colleagues and delivering training
The team
You'll join our Programme Team within the Flood and Coastal Risk Management Department in North East Area. The role is based in our Newcastle upon Tyne office.
We work with a wide range of technical and project teams locally and nationally.
We operate a blend of office and home working, and this role requires regular attendance at our Newcastle office, as well as occasional site visits. National travel to team meetings may be required.
Experience/skills Required
We're looking for someone who can demonstrate sound project and programme management skills, with the ability to plan, coordinate and deliver work effectively. You'll be confident working with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, and you'll actively promote inclusive ways of working.
Strong data management skills are essential, including experience of analysing and interpreting large data sets, particularly using Microsoft Excel.
You'll bring good organisational skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making skills are also important, along with an understanding of Flood and Coastal Risk Management.
Ideally, you will hold a degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant subject such as environmental science, geography, engineering and/or have relevant programme management qualifications.
If you have the transferable skills and enthusiasm for the role, we encourage you to apply even without direct flood risk management experience.
Contact and additional information
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You'll have an incident management objective in your development plan. We'll help you find a role to suit your needs. This may attract additional payments, and full training is provided.
Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information.
Applications are "blind" assessed using your answers to the competency questions.
Interviews will be held in person in Newcastle at the end of April.
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.
Any queries, contact jenny.-
Competence 1
Achieves Results
Description
Description: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Question: You'll be expected to be able to organise your work to meet deadlines. Using a specific example(s), describe a time when you had to deliver a piece of work to a fixed deadline. Explain how you prioritised tasks, organised your workload and resources, and monitored your progress to ensure timely completion
Competence 2
Communicates Effectively
Description
Description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack
Question: You'll be expected to be clear in your written and verbal communication. Your reports and presentations must be appropriate for the audience and enable effective decision making. Using a specific example(s), describe how you communicate information clearly, accurately and persuasively—both in writing and verbally—to support understanding and effective decision making.
Competence 3
Data and Information Management
Description
Description: Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Question: You'll be expected to analyse and interpret large data sets to monitor and track programme performance. Using a specific example(s), describe your experience in collecting, analysing and interpreting large data sets and presenting them to others.
Competence 4
Programme and Project Management
Description
Description: Selects, plans and manages contractors, programmes or events to achieve a set of Environment Agency objectives, cost-effectively.
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Question: You'll be expected to help manage programmes of work to meet time, cost, and quality criteria. Using a specific example(s), describe your experience, skills, and knowledge in managing programmes of work to meet time, cost, and quality requirements.
**If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.**