Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666
England is undertaking the most significant reform of agricultural policy and spending in decades, moving from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. ELM schemes support farmers to provide public goods in return for public money, incentivising water, soil and biodiversity outcomes alongside food production. The Environment Agency aims to improve services to farmers as part of its EA2030 strategy and government targets for water, environment and climate. This role will influence the design and delivery of incentives within the wider context of regulatory reform and the Agency’s response to government reviews.
The Environment Agency ELM team seeks dynamic, strategic thinkers to help shape the future of ELM, particularly the delivery of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT). You will deliver key CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme and contribute to ongoing improvement of the scheme through its design and delivery. You will provide advice in meetings, manage commissions, oversee programme milestones, and identify risks and resource requirements. You will work across multiple teams and organisations, including senior leaders, to articulate a scheme that supports and delivers outcomes.
The team sits within the Nature & Place Directorate, part of the National Agriculture and Land Team, working with government, statutory bodies and industry. We work in an agile, fast-paced, flexible environment and foster a welcoming, safe, supportive culture where everyone feels valued. We are dispersed and use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel.
Responsibilities
* Provide expertise to Defra, delivery bodies and the agriculture sector to achieve consistency and improve collaboration.
* Represent and influence across the organisation to shape the design and delivery of incentives.
* Deliver CSHT products for the Farming and Countryside Programme and support continuous scheme improvement.
* Attend meetings, manage commissions, oversee milestones, and identify risks and resource needs.
* Collaborate with various teams and organisations to articulate outcomes and ensure delivery against policy objectives.
Experience and qualifications
* Experience of Agriculture and working with Defra and other statutory bodies is essential.
* Politically aware with excellent communication and networking skills.
* Understanding of environmental sensitivities associated with major agriculture sector reform.
* Experience interpreting/evaluating evidence to propose risk-based solutions for challenging problems.
* Ability to prioritise and deliver complex work as a self-starter who develops ideas and drives them forward.
Ideal capabilities
* Shapes Organisational Approach & Delivery
* Achieves Results
* Seeing the Bigger Picture (Business of the EA)
* Focuses on Customers and Partners
* Delivers Results Through Others
Additional information
* The role is national with a flexible/hybrid working location in England; there may be some travel/overnights.
* You’ll have an incident management objective in your development plan; appropriate training will be provided.
* The Environment Agency is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Flexible working patterns, including job share, are welcome; a Guaranteed Interview policy applies to applicants with a disability whose application meets minimum criteria.
* We use government frameworks for recruitment; external supplier engagements follow Crown Commercial Service guidance.
Contacts
* Kate Bayley: kate.bayley@environment-agency.gov.uk
* D-J Gent: dj.gent@environment-agency.gov.uk
Applications are blind assessed against competency questions. Interviews are expected via MS Teams two weeks after the closing date. If you are placed on a reserve list, your details may be held for up to 6 months for potential suitability for another role.
Senior Advisor - Future Agriculture - Environmental Land Management - 31666
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