Job summary
Planning is at the heart of delivering the Department�s vision to support people, places and communities. It plays a critical role in bringing forward the homes the country needs, delivering our environmental objectives and facilitating the infrastructure necessary to support economic growth. Through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, the Government has been pursuing an ambitious package of planning reform to bring better development outcomes, environmental improvements and community engagement.
To support DLUHC�s work this job advert covers two policy roles: environmental assessment reform (one vacancy) and nutrient pollution (one vacancy).
Nutrient pollution is an urgent problem for some habitats and rivers, many of which are internationally important for wildlife. This is a very high-profile issue and one that is impacting planning permissions for development across the country.
Environmental assessment is a wider exercise carried out within planning where the impacts of development activity on the environment are identified. We now have the legal powers to reform Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to introduce Environmental Outcomes Reports. Environmental Outcomes Reports will provide a streamlined and more effective process where relevant plans and projects are assessed against clear environmental outcomes.
Job description
The successful candidates will have opportunities to get involved with a range of cross-Government workstreams, supporting work on high-profile matters to help shape policy design and/or delivery.
This is an exciting policy area, you should expect the work to be fast-paced and challenging, but also rewarding as part of a supportive and friendly team. It covers an interesting mix of environmental and planning policy, with legislative and delivery work on Government priorities and the opportunity to work with stakeholders across and beyond Government.
General
� Providing advice to policy teams, senior officials and Ministers, where appropriate, reflecting relevant supporting evidence and external views.
� Preparing correspondence and contributions for briefings to support wider Parliamentary activity.
� Procuring, gathering and analysing evidence gathered through engagement and consultation to support policy development and legislation.
� Making corporate contributions and taking part in activities to support a positive team culture.
Nutrient pollution
� Supporting the design and delivery of the �110m Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund, which is bringing forward nutrient mitigation by providing funding to local authorities.
� Supporting policy work to unlock development in protected habitats sites impacted by nutrient pollution.
Environmental Outcomes Reports
� Helping to develop the new system of Environmental Outcomes Reports, including developing the processes and preparing guidance.
� Helping to shape the implementation of wider policy objectives and planning reform.
Person specification
� Excellent communicator and influencer (verbal & written), doing so in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner that is tailored to the target audience;
� Able to quickly understand and assimilate complex information on a range of different policy issues relating to environmental and planning matters;
� Dynamic, resilient, with proven analytical skills and attention to detail and capable of delivering at pace on often fast-moving and varied agendas which can sometimes change in priority at short notice;
� Strong organisational skills and proactive in managing your own time;
� Confident independently seeking out learning and development opportunities to enhance your ability to deliver the role and forge your career path;
� Comfortable collaborating with colleagues and investing time to generate a positive team environment where colleagues value and respect one another;
� Identify risks and resolve issues efficiently, including, where necessary, escalating to senior colleagues.
You don�t need to have a particular background to succeed in these roles, although some knowledge of environmental issues and planning will �be an advantage.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �32,178, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities contributes �8,688 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
1. Learning and development tailored to your role
2. An environment with flexible working options
3. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
4. A with an average employer contribution of 27%