Join Ofwat’s Government & Engagement Team as a Government Engagement Officer
This is a fixed term appointment for 18 months.
*Office Location:Birmingham (B5 4UA) or London (E14 4HD) based with hybrid working*
About Us
We are Ofwat, the Water Services Regulation Authority, a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating the water sector in England and Wales. Following the Independent Water Commission’s final report, the UK government has set out a bold new direction - one that brings together expertise from across the sector to deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment.
We are working in collaboration with the government and other regulators to help establish a new body for England, combining our strengths with those of the Drinking Water Inspectorate, the Environment Agency, and Natural England. We’re also continuing to engage with the Welsh Government to support future decisions for Wales.
While these changes take shape, our mission remains the same: to hold water companies to account, drive performance, and ensure the sector delivers real value for customers, communities, and the environment. If you’re passionate about making a difference, this is a unique moment to join us and help shape the future of water, and together we can continue to make a positive impact.
The Role
The Independent Water Commission published their final report on the review of the water sector regulatory system on 21 July 2025. While we are entering a period of change, Ofwat still has a lot of important work to do. We remain focused on the day job and ensuring that the £104 billion investment package that we have approved delivers the maximum benefits for customers and the environment. Ofwat remains committed to working constructively with the government and supporting outcomes that are in the best interests of customers, communities, and the environment. Our focus remains the same: delivering strong, independent economic regulation to deliver our vision of a secure and sustainable water sector, acting in the best interests of customers, communities and the environment.
The creation of two separate regulators for England and Wales may take up to two years to finalise, during which time we will work closely with the government and other regulators to create a plan for a smooth transition.
TheGovernment Engagement Associaterole has an important and valuable contribution to enable us to deliver on our goals and regulatory commitments.
This will be a busy time for Government Engagement and you will help deliver and facilitate a consistent, connected, and strategic relationship with, primarily, UK Government but also other key regulatory stakeholders as required. You will be supporting work to engage with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as they prepare and then take through Parliament a new Water Bill, that will set out the future legislative environment for the water industry and for Ofwat's successor regulator.
You will help ensure the smooth running of the team, by keeping track of our inbox and team calendar, taking notes and minutes, and developing slide packs. You will write agendas, help us prepare for internal and external meetings, and ensure we have appropriate actions.
Ideally, you will have a knowledge of the machinery and structure of the UK government and an understanding of the political, environmental and economic circumstances across England and Wales. But we are more interested in showing us that you know how to develop and maintain relationships with partners, inside and outside of Ofwat, and have a track record in learning new information and new skills.
About You
Below are some of the key essential experience, skills & knowledge required for this post:
1. Lead criterion:Experience within a policy or engagement environment, ideally with experience of delivering stakeholder engagement programmes.
2. Lead criterion:Ability to manage changing priorities and deal with fast paced requirements, balancing independent working with appropriate direction from more experienced colleagues.
3. Experience in an area such as government & politics, public policy, or law, through your work or a degree in a relevant subject.
4. Administration skills, including ability to coordinate across a team and provide quality written materials - for example diary/calendar management, basic project management, inbox management, and taking meeting notes and minutes.
5. Strong communication skills – verbal, written and presentation skills, including the ability to write clearly and concisely for a range of different audiences.
6. Ability to think creatively and approach to problem solving and delivery in different contexts.
7. Strategic thinking skills and ability to plan ahead, particularly with regard to ensuring we deliver effective and professional meetings with partners inside and outside of Ofwat.
Why You Should Join Us:
* People Centric: Our people are at the heart of Ofwat and everything we do - we ensure all voices are heard and treat each other with respect; you'll be given the autonomy and the support to do your role in the best way.
* Innovative Work Environment: We embrace agile and new ways of working and have a culture build on trust, flexibility, and collaboration.
* Development Opportunities: Gain valuable experience and develop your skills in a supportive and dynamic setting.
* Work-Life Balance: Enjoy the flexibility of working from home combined with the benefits of in person collaboration in our Birmingham offices.
* Good employer pension contributions
* 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to 30 with each year of service, plus bank holidays and an extra 2.5 days of privilege leave.
* Access to exclusive discounts on a variety of goods and services, including retail outlets, theatre tickets, holidays, insurance, and a gym membership.
* Fees paid for membership of relevant professional bodies.
* Up to 3 volunteering days per year.
* Recognition vouchers scheme rewarding your hard work.
* Generous shared parental leave and pay supporting your family life.
Follow the link to Apply for full details about the role, please ensure you have submitted your Applications in full before the below deadline.
Closing date:23.55 on 14 September 2025.
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