These high-profile roles demand collaboration, influence, and the ability to deliver outcomes that matter.
Job Description
We are fully committed to having an 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.
We are looking for two enthusiastic individuals to join the Environment Agency's Strategy Directorate. This is a fantastic opportunity to take on a key role at the heart of the organisation.
In this role, you will help deliver the Environment Agency's strategic thinking and strengthen its work with Government, Parliament, and key stakeholders. Successful candidates will either join the Government Relations team or the Strategy team within the Strategy Directorate.
Examples of critical work you could lead include coordinating inputs to key government processes, drafting high-quality briefings for government ministers, supporting the Chair or Chief Executive with key information, producing strategic insights on future environmental challenges or supporting the delivery of the Environment Agency's corporate strategy. Your work will span issues such as flood risk, climate change, environmental protection, circular economy, planning, and water resources. The roles also include supporting the Environment Agency's emergency response, particularly during major flood incidents.
These are dynamic roles requiring strong organisational skills, political awareness, and the ability to influence, collaborate and communicate effectively. Your work will strengthen the Environment Agency's strategy and its reputation across Whitehall, Westminster, and beyond.
The team
These roles sit 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. The Strategy team drives corporate strategy, future thinking, and mission-focused delivery.
Working at the heart of the organisation, you will deliver high-profile work, from managing relationships with government departments to driving the vision set out in our EA2030 corporate strategy.
Experience/skills Required
We seek self-motivated individuals to manage a busy portfolio and deliver results through collaboration across the organisation.
You will demonstrate
* Political judgement, attention to detail, and the ability to present information clearly.
* Strong interpersonal skills are essential for working with colleagues and senior managers, building networks, and influencing outcomes.
* Excellent written and verbal communication is required, including drafting high-quality briefings for ministers and senior leaders.
* Project management or organisational skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to anticipate political or stakeholder activity.
* Flexibility under pressure and calm decision-making are key, alongside knowing when to seek support.
* Knowledge of environmental issues or sustainable growth and experience in organisation-wide strategies and stakeholder engagement are desirable.
These high-profile roles demand collaboration, influence, and the ability to deliver outcomes that matter.
Contact and additional information
*Contact Additional Information (67 Words)*
You will have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid, however some travel and overnight stays may be required.
For queries, contact
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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.
Competence 1
Communicates Effectively
Description
More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Definition: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
In the role, you will manage relationships with colleagues across the Defra Group and manage the Environment Agency's reputation through the briefings and responses we provide to ministers and Parliament. You will need to listen and question to understand and engage with issues and to convey information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
Question: Please provide an example of a time when you managed stakeholders or protected an organisation's reputation through effective communication. How did you listen and question to understand the issue, and how did you convey information clearly, accurately, and persuasively both in writing and verbally?
Competence 2
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Description
Definition: Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses
In this role, you will need to manage a range of customers in a timely and effective way, while balancing a number of competing priorities and pressures. This often involves managing expectations, being able to anticipate reputational issues before they arise and managing the risk around these.
Question: Describe a time when you managed a range of internal and external customers under competing priorities and tight deadlines. How did you understand and prioritise their needs, manage expectations, anticipate reputational risks, and deliver rapid, effective responses? What was the outcome?
Competence 3
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Definition: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.
In the role, you will need to use your judgment and take decisions on the best course of action in protecting and enhancing the Environment Agency's reputation, its strategic thinking, and critical work both reactively and proactively. This will involve identifying and solving problems as issues arise and using your initiative to improve situations or ways of working.
Question: Describe a time when you had to make a timely decision to deliver a key project or piece of work at pace. How did you analyse the information, develop and assess alternatives, decide on the best course of action, and what was the outcome?
**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.**