Strategy & Government Relations Officer - 32590
Join to apply for the Strategy & Government Relations Officer - 32590 role at Environment Agency.
Key responsibilities
* Managing shared inboxes, tracking actions, and improving information flow.
* Supporting responses to parliamentary questions, ministerial or senior briefings.
* Delivering impactful engagement with external stakeholders.
* Monitoring trends, government and political activity, helping to share good intelligence across the organisation.
* Building and maintaining effective relationships across the Defra Group, including senior leadership.
* Supporting incident management activities.
This high‑profile role requires organisational skills, political awareness, and the ability to influence and collaborate effectively to deliver outcomes that matter. It is an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of how arm’s‑length bodies work with government departments and ministers on policy and parliamentary matters, and to devise strategies that meet tomorrow’s environmental challenges.
Qualifications
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong attention to detail and ability to present information clearly and accurately.
* A flexible approach with the ability to deliver high‑quality work to tight deadlines.
* Resilience under pressure and confidence in knowing when to seek guidance and support.
* Experience in a customer‑facing or stakeholder engagement role, with a focus on building relationships and maintaining a positive reputation.
* Strong organisational skills, including effective management of knowledge and information.
* An understanding of parliamentary and government processes, or experience in stakeholder engagement (desirable but not essential).
Diversity and Inclusion
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We don’t just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it — for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment.
The Team
This role sits within the Environment Agency’s Strategy Directorate, working across two fast‑paced teams: Government Relations and Strategy. Government Relations leads parliamentary engagement, ministerial briefing, and stakeholder relationships, while the Strategy team drives corporate strategy, future thinking, and mission‑focused delivery.
Contact and Additional Information
You’ll have an EA Office base location; as a national role the working location is flexible/hybrid, though some travel and overnight stays may be required.
For queries, contact eatalent@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Applications are “blind” assessed using competency question responses. Interviews will be held via MS Teams from mid‑January. This role includes incident response duties; please see the Candidate Information Pack for details.
Guaranteed Interview Policy
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We are committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Artificial Intelligence Use
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, applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. The Environment Agency follows the guidance on AI use on the Civil Service Careers website.
Competency Questions
Competency 1 – Manages Self
Description: Has full awareness of own strengths, weaknesses, impact and approach. Effectively organises self and takes personal responsibility for own role in the Environment Agency.
In the role you will manage the team’s shared inboxes on a day‑to‑day basis, tracking actions and exploring ways to improve the flow of information to and from the team. You will also manage ministerial correspondence for the organisation, ensuring quality‑assured responses are delivered to deadline.
Question: Tell us about a time you personally organised a high‑volume workflow (e.g., tracking work, a shared inbox and high‑profile correspondence) to meet tight deadlines while maintaining quality. How did you prioritise, track actions, share intelligence with others, and improve the flow of information? What was the outcome?
Competency 2 – Communicates Effectively
Description: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
Question: Please provide an example of where you have needed to communicate a complex message to a wide range of people in an innovative and engaging form.
Competency 3 – Focuses on Customers and Partners
Description: Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.
Question: Describe a time when you had to manage multiple internal and external customers with competing priorities. How did you assess and prioritise their needs and manage expectations quickly, and decide whether to involve senior colleagues? What was the outcome and what did you learn?
Additional Notes
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 those interested in becoming a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts, please visit the GOV.UK link for more information.
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