Strategy & Government Relations Officer - 32590
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.
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 think ahead and devise strategies that meet tomorrow’s environmental challenges.
Key responsibilities may include:
* Coordinating and quality‑assuring responses to high‑profile requests, such as for ministerial correspondence.
* 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.
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. The Strategy team drives corporate strategy, future thinking, and mission‑focused delivery.
As an officer within the Strategy Directorate, you will support high‑profile work, from managing relationships with government departments to driving the vision set out in our EA2030 corporate strategy.
Experience and skills required
* 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.
* Understanding of parliamentary and government processes, or experience in stakeholder engagement (desirable but not essential).
Contact and additional information
You’ll 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 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.
Competencies
Competence 1: Manages Self
Definition: Has full awareness of own strengths, weaknesses, impact and approach. Effectively organizes 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. This involves identifying issues, sharing intelligence and delivering quality products.
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?
Competence 2: Communicates Effectively
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 work with colleagues across the organisation and the Defra Group to help manage the Environment Agency’s reputation. You will need to listen and question to understand issues and to convey 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.
Competence 3: Focuses on Customers and Partners
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 and being able to recognise reputational issues and risks. You will also need to decide if and when to involve and seek help from senior colleagues.
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?
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you will 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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know 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.
Seniority level
Associate
Employment type
Full‑time
Job function
Legal
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