Senior Advisor for Chemicals of Emerging Concern - 26395

1
National
Various
Various
Staff Grade 6
Permanent
Full Time
Environment & Sustainability
£47,646
This is an exciting and challenging role at the heart of our response to chemicals; leading on chemicals of emerging concern.

This role will:

- Provide technical leadership on our work on chemicals of emerging concern
- Lead our Prioritisation and Early Warning System which consolidates monitoring and horizon-scanning.
- Acquire and assess intelligence and monitoring data.
- Manage and evolve the Prioritisation & Early Warning system, using the insights to evolve wider work on emerging substances.
- Prioritise chemical emerging risks to inform policy working with Defra, and regulatory development.
- Build and establish collaborative networks with UK and international partners.
- Act as our scientific lead for our international engagement with the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals and the NORMAN network.
- Lead our input to the emerging substances component of the UKWIR Chemicals Investigation Programme 4.
- Lead our emerging risks input to the H4 indicator (wildlife exposure to chemicals) of the 25 Year Environment Plan.
- Lead on developing our understanding of some of the highest priority emerging chemical issues.
- Have the option to include line management responsibilities.
The post sits within the Chemicals Surveillance and Emerging Risks Team in the Chemicals Programme, a national team within the Environment and Business Directorate. The team are focused on ensuring emerging risks are identified, and we have robust evidence to influence policy and inform our regulatory responses.

We are a dispersed team, and you will need to be comfortable working virtually via MS teams. Some UK travel including overnight stays will be required.
Essential:
- An understanding of chemicals in the environment is essential as you will need to be able to engage with a wide range of technical & policy experts to build networks and lead delivery, including internationally.
- You will be organised and able to plan effectively and deliver within a project management structure.
- You should be able to demonstrate an ability to develop and lead cross-cutting project teams to deliver technical outcomes.
- You will have good influencing and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to think strategically and shape future direction of a broad work area.

Desirable:
- Experience of working with a Government Department to support policy development and developing extended networks.
We’re committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve, so welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds. We also offer workplace adjustments for workers with disabilities, or physical or mental health conditions

The role is available with a flexible location within England. For more information about working for us and how to apply please read the Candidate Pack.

If you would like to discuss the role, reasonable adjustments, working patterns, base locations etc, please contact kelly.short@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Applications will be “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews will be held using MS Teams and are likely to be held w/c 29 May 2023, although this could change. A reserve list will be held for up to 6 months.

14/05/2023, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Scientific Knowledge
Please provide a recent example of how you have used your technical/scientific understanding of chemicals in the environment to deliver a benefit or environmental outcome.
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

Please give an example where you have worked through a challenge and made decisions or solved problems to ensure a successful outcome.
Influences and Persuades Others
Description: Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

Describe a situation when you have needed to influence others to gain acceptance of your plans.
Uses Initiative
Description: Takes action before and/or beyond what is required, owning the outcome.

Please describe a situation when you have used your initiative at work for example to take a decision without consulting your line manager.
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 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.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.