National Waterways Advisor - 25441

1
East Midlands, East of England, London, North East, North West, South East, South West, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, National
All
All
Staff Grade 5
Permanent
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share
Environment & Sustainability
£37,462
The Environment Agency have a legal responsibility to ensure the statutory right of navigation is maintained on over 1000km of navigable waterways. We also have the statutory duty to ensure our waterways are made available to all for other recreational purposes.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the team which set the strategic direction for our Waterways work at the Environment Agency. We are looking for a flexible person who enjoys a varied and changing job role. The types of activities the role may undertake include;
- leading projects and contracts,
- gathering information from area and asset management colleagues on the work they are doing and the benefits it is delivering and using this to write bids for future government funding,
- collating performance reporting information for managers and reporting on progress against the aims in our business plan,
- working with others to identify how we can put in place alternative ways of working and alternative funding mechanisms for waterways that do not have strong income sources,
- working with colleagues on climate change, biodiversity, sustainability, benefits management and net zero projects,
- overseeing finances allocated to area teams.


We want our assets and waterway destinations to be safe and accessible to an increasing and wider diversity of recreational users. We want our navigable waterways to benefit biodiversity, support nature-based solutions and be valuable habitats. We want to ensure our waterways are resilient to climate change, to reduce our own carbon footprint and promote sustainable modes of travel as we aim for net zero. This role will help the Environment Agency to achieve this.

You don't need a background in Navigation to apply (however this would be desirable) but you must be able to strongly demonstrate the transferrable skills outlined in the application questions below.
The successful applicant will be part of a national team of 8 people who are geographically dispersed. The National Navigation team sit within the Environment and Business Directorate and sets the strategic direction for Navigation and works with Defra, stakeholders, partners and local operational teams to support its delivery.
We are looking for somebody who has drive and enthusiasm to deliver results and who is open to a varied set of tasks. We would like someone who is up for the challenge of taking on new tasks and running with them.
You’ll be organised with excellent written and verbal communication skills and be able to produce clear, accurate and high-quality work.
You’ll be able to work as part of a team and individually to prioritise an interesting and varied workload, supporting several key work areas simultaneously. You will be good at working flexibly, under pressure and at pace.
• Enthusiasm to deliver a sustainable business plan
• Ability to innovate and drive new business ideas
• Ability to gather information and present it in an engaging way
• Ability to build a network of contacts to support business delivery
• Ability to lead projects and oversee finances
We work in a hybrid way, working a mix of in the office and at home. This is a dispersed team so travel to other Environment Agency offices and central locations for meetings with other team members will be required from time to time.

We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve.

Please note that your answers to the capability questions will be used to determine interview selection.

Please note that the salary for this position is £37,462. This is not negotiable.

For any questions relating to this role, or if you would like a copy of our Navigation Business Plan to help you prepare to apply for this position, please contact: Omoniyi Green or Jo Scully (nationalnavmanager@environment-agency.gov.uk)

29/01/2023, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Data and Information Management
As part of this role you will be required gather information from various teams and collate/present it for review by managers.
Please explain your experience of gathering, analysing and presenting information.
Try to exemplify how you:
Ensure that activities are carried out and documentation completed according to the relevant data laws, policies, processes and standards. · Accurately and safely collect, enter and maintain data, or material, for subsequent analysis safely. · Anticipate requirements for data or information and/or identifies future reporting requirements and puts in place the means to meet these. · Examine and test out sources and validity of data/information before using; make clear the status or reliability of material used. Undertake more data gathering where necessary. · Produce factually accurate reports, both verbal and written using data and statistics supported by tools, databases and specialised software. · Prepare and present findings in a logical and well-structured manner that can be readily accessed and understood by a wide audience. · Is fully aware of all documentation applicable to roles & responsibilities. Knows how to find out if unsure.
Programme and Project Management
In the role you may be required to lead projects either using contractors or internal colleagues.

Please provide examples of projects you have led before.

Try to exemplify how you:
· Identified occasions where external expertise or capacity is required. Managed the process of identifying and procuring suitable contractors. · Used external resources in a cost-effective manner, ensuring that contractors and consultants are fully briefed and that you got the best possible value for money. · Regularly review work undertaken by contractors or consultants against objectives and ensuring that the contractor is aware of any changes impacting on their work for the Environment Agency. · Plan, direct and co-ordinate activities to manage and implement complex interrelated projects from contract/proposal initiation to final operational stage. · Determine, monitor and review all programme economics to include all costs, operational budgets, staffing requirements, resources and risk. · Understand and apply project planning techniques to ensure project is delivered on time and to expected standards. · Agrees appropriate project options and delivers project objectives in the most cost effective manner. Contributes effectively to a project where another organisation takes the lead, including assisting with project management. Appraises the effectiveness of the collaborative project and communicates the outcome. · Set appropriate milestones; recognises and plans for areas of particular difficulty, uncertainty and set backs, regularly reviews project progress and effectiveness. · Identify, set up and co-ordinates events to communicate and deliver, with maximum impact.
Securing Funding
As part of the role you will be involved with negotiating and producing business cases to secure short and long term investment in our Navigation assets and service.

Please provide your experience of drafting business cases and funding bids.

Try to exemplify how you:

· Gather data to allow effective monitoring of the investment programmes in order to ensure most effective use of funds · Gather data and evaluate investment programme solutions to ensure funding decisions are robust · Sets and contributes to the management of long-term investment programmes. Identify opportunities to maintain and maximise funding from existing relationships, establishing and maintaining good working relationships with business partners. · Set and manage long-term investment needs, ensuring that these take into account grant in aid, levies and other funding potential. Identify new sources of funding and ways to secure that income. Ensure that funding is achieved/secured to deliver against national targets, successfully negotiating with fund holders as necessary. · Seek out new and innovative opportunities to maximise funding and manages the process of securing that income. Effectively identify and manage risks with regard to funding opportunities. Influence external partners to gain their support for Environment Agency investment and improvement plan
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
On a day to day basis you will be required to take decisions relating to our role as a navigation authority. Please demonstrate how you approach decision making and explain any significant decisions you have had to make in your work.

Try to exemplify how you;
Find and deliver optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions. Use previous experience and careful analysis to identify potential problems, effective solutions and arrive at sound decisions. Identify and ask appropriate questions to explore and detect root causes of problems or sources and quality of evidence. Apply sound techniques to analyse problems, generate options and select best course of action. Seek out and consider the best available information before making decisions. Probe, check and confirm veracity of data as appropriate. Confront head-on difficult situations where major decisions have to be made quickly. Make sound decisions based on complex or incomplete information and/or within limited timescales. Escalate issues when they are beyond own limitations and/or have consequences further than own responsibilities.
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.