Growth and Strategy Specialist - 12989

1
North West
Penrith , Preston
Lutra House, Ghyll Mount
Staff Grade 5
Fixed Term
Full Time
Environment & Sustainability, Planning
£34,879 Pro-rata
We are looking for a dynamic and highly motivated individual to play a lead role working internally and externally, to identify opportunities to work in partnership to influence, deliver environmental improvement, sustainable development, secure investment and meet local and national economic growth objectives.
Crucial aspects to this role will be to:
- Support the Area, and work across the business to develop evidence that showcases how our priorities and projects support environment, economic and social objectives of businesses and organisations outside of the EA;
- Develop and sustain relationships with influential external organisations and people, understanding their priorities, and using our evidence to influence them make sound investment decisions that benefit the environment;
- Develop and maintain an oversight of the political environment, including local and national policies and priorities that are being developed and used to guide central government and local investment decisions (i.e. Green Growth strategy, Industrial Strategy);
- Help to support the Area to be ‘investment ready’, shaping priorities and gathering the evidence required to seize opportunities to secure investment.
The growth and strategy specialist sits within the Cumbria and Lancashire Sustainable Places team. This team coordinates the EA’s input into strategic planning documents and applications. Alongside our statutory duty to ensure sustainable development is promoted, we are the single point of contact for external partners, such as LEPs. The postholder will support team members to positively influence strategic planning documents, and make connections between medium-long term environmental and economic ambitions.
The successful applicant will have:
- the ability to establish good working relationships with partners to identify and harness opportunities for working in partnership to deliver sustainable development, environmental and/or economic growth objectives. Networking, communication and influencing skills are essential.
- Some experience of obtaining funding and securing investment though private sector, NGO/third sector, central government or European channels.
- Demonstrate understanding of linkages between the environment, the economy and social spheres.
- Strong communication skills, and an ability to adapt communication style and approach to resonate with different audiences internally, and with external partners.
- Some experience obtaining and analysing economic or environmental economic data and evidence to use as part of the development of investment/businesses cases for influencing and securing investment.
- Ability to work flexibly to manage ambiguity and uncertainty and able to ‘self-organise’ to manage workload, at times working at pace to capitalise on opportunities.
The successful candidate can be based at the Preston or Penrith office. The role will require travel between the two offices, and to external sites, so a driving licence is desirable.

For further information about the role contact Dolores Owen on 07768 278345 or Dolores.owen@environment-agency.gov.uk

04/11/2019, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Approximately 12 months
Engages others
A vital part of this role is building and nurturing relationships internally and externally, to effectively influence and collaborate with partners. Please provide a work example of how you have used these skills.
Achieves Results
You will be required to influence partners, and support them to understand linkages between economic growth objectives and a healthy, resilient environment. Please provide a work example of how you have done this.
Shapes organisational approach & delivery
The post holder will be expected to think strategically, and focus on medium to long term priorities using the following capabilities:
• Develops evidence - and risk-based approaches to new duties/challenges, which consider social, economic and environmental factors in order to deliver the right balance of outcomes for people and wildlife.
• Forms strong and influential relationships with key external stakeholders, promoting our position and delivering results with and through others where appropriate.
• Considers the broader political/governmental (EU, national & local) landscape, and the needs of a diverse range of other stakeholders/ customers in England and (as importantly) Wales.
• Develops approaches which look forwards, scanning the horizon for future risks and opportunities, while building on what has worked well in the past.
Please provide a work example of how you have used these skills.
Manages Self
You will be expected to work flexibly to manage ambiguity and uncertainty and able to ‘self-organise’ to manage workload, at times working at pace to capitalise on opportunities. Please describe how you have demonstrated this in your work
Driving licence
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.