Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666
The Environment Agency is committed to an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We strive to embrace diversity and foster a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment for staff and our environment.
Job Description
England is reforming its agricultural policy and spending through Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. ELM schemes support farmers to provide public goods in return for public money, incentivising water, soil, and biodiversity outcomes alongside farming. Working with Defra and delivery partners, you will help improve services to farmers and shape our organisational response to government reviews to support a resilient, productive agriculture sector aligned with EA2030 and government targets for water, environment and climate. This role includes influencing the design and delivery of incentives within the broader context of regulatory reform and cross‑sector collaboration.
The Environment Agency ELM team seeks dynamic, strategic thinkers to inform and shape the future of ELM, particularly the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). You will contribute to the design and delivery of CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme and drive continuous improvement of the scheme.
You will provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, oversee programme milestones, identify risks and resource requirements, and work across multiple teams and organisations with senior leaders to articulate a scheme that delivers our outcomes. The team sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, part of the National Agriculture and Land Team, and operates in an agile, fast-paced, flexible and collaborative environment. We value our people and support flexible working to reduce travel.
Experience / Skills Required
You will represent our expertise to Defra, delivery bodies and the agriculture sector to achieve consistency and improve collaboration. Essential: experience of agriculture and working with Defra and other statutory bodies; political awareness with excellent communication and networking skills; understanding of environmental sensitivities associated with major agricultural reform; experience interpreting/evaluating evidence to propose risk-based solutions; ability to prioritise and deliver complex work; self-starter who develops and progresses ideas. Ideal candidates will demonstrate:
* get stuff done, including through others
* embody our culture
* ensure information is trusted
* cascade key information
* build relationships quickly
* soothe troubled waters
Capabilities
Shapes Organisational Approach & Delivery; Achieves Results; Seeing the Bigger Picture (Business of the EA); Focuses on Customers and Partners; Delivers Results Through Others.
Responsibilities
* Provide advice and influence on policy, scheme design and implementation related to agricultural reform and ELM.
* Support strategic work and help align organisational priorities, targets and resources.
* Participate in cross‑team collaboration with government, statutory bodies and industry partners.
* Manage project milestones, identify risks, and ensure timely delivery of CSHT products.
Contact and Additional Information
You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan; appropriate training will be provided. The role is national with a flexible/hybrid working location in England and some travel or overnight stays may be required. For more information, contact:
* Kate Bayley: kate.bayley@environment-agency.gov.uk
* D-J Gent: dj.gent@environment-agency.gov.uk
Applications are blind assessed based on competency questions. Interviews are expected to be held via MS Teams two weeks after the closing date. If you consent to being on a reserve list, your details will be kept for 6 months and you may be offered an alternative post.
Eligibility and Diversity
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome flexible working arrangements, including job share. We guarantee an interview to applicants with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria. As an employer, the Environment Agency is not part of HM Civil Service; please verify continuous service status with your HR team if applicable.
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