Senior Advisor, Estuaries & Coasts - 17083

You’ll play an important role in shaping the Environment Agency’s Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Programme whilst achieving more environmental outcomes in the estuarine and coastal environment. This is an exciting opportunity to join a high profile multi-agency science programme with a unique prospect to change how we make environmental decisions in England.
We're looking for an estuarine and coastal technical expert to lead on the development and design of a monitoring network for saltmarsh, seagrass and kelp, incorporating fish, chemicals and the wider seabed. Our objective for monitoring in NCEA is that we design and deliver ‘A comprehensive, sustainable sampling, data collection and analysis programme for England's water habitats, designed to support the EAs goal of becoming a net zero organisation by 2030.’ You’ll be expected to design the network to meet NCEA experimental design principles and information requirements. You’ll lead on collaboration with the other NCEA projects seeking new methods and approaches in monitoring, and the data collected for NCEA. To do this you’ll work collaboratively within the business and with our partners on the network designs, linking across to other NCEA projects, policy makers in Defra and HM Treasury.

Part of Integrated Water Planning, we set direction; produce/commission guidance, tools, information and evidence; advise government; and work with internal and external partners to restore our estuaries and coasts sustainably. We work with Areas, National Operations, MMO, Ports sector and Defra Marine Outcome System on a range of cross cutting work areas. This includes shaping catchment to coast management; marine licensing; marine planning; restoration, natural capital and commissioning evidence we need to support our decisions.

A passion and knowledge of the marine environment is essential. You will have an excellent understanding of the ‘natural capital approach’ and how it can be used to drive decisions in managing the environment. You will be a strong project manager, enthusiastic and considerate, driving work and delivering results through others. Capable of understanding complex information and using it to solve problems, you’ll be skilled at using it to inform and lead organisational approaches and brief decision makers. You will need to have excellent communication skills and be able to present evidence with clarity and conviction. You’ll also need the credibility to work with partners at a local and national level and have demonstrable experience of doing so. Knowledge of marine monitoring, regulations that apply to the marine environment and our role and that of other delivery partners and stakeholders, is desirable.

For those applying internally, you will need to seek line manager approval to apply for these posts.
Our team promotes an inclusive culture and we welcome all applicants, especially colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+ or Black Asian and Minority Ethnic. Part time and job share applications also encouraged.
If you don’t manage to secure a role at this time, we’ll place you upon a reserve list. Where possible, we will attempt to backfill any new vacancies that arise in the next six months from this list

Depending upon Covid restrictions, some travel may be required to support colleagues across the business as well as to represent our interests at a national level.
For more information please contact Roger Proudfoot on 07799582719 or e-mail roger.proudfoot@environment-agency.gov.uk

You will be expected to apply estuarine and coastal scientific knowledge to enhance the effectiveness of the NCEA programme, keeping up to date with the science around the natural capital approach. You will provide technical leadership for estuarine and coastal technical needs and inputs, commissioning and delivering appropriate scientific research to underpin the NCEA programme, protecting and enhancing the estuarine and coastal environment and promoting sustainability.

You will be identifying and seizing the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods and processes without compromising quality or accuracy. You will take responsibility for the quality and timeliness of own work, seeking opportunities to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of self and the NCEA programme, with focus on estuarine and coastal outcomes. You will ensure that data and information are always delivered in an accurate, timely and legal manner, learning from events and seeking to improve future performance.

You will rely upon a wide range of specialists and experts internally and externally to achieve your outcomes as well as your own expertise and leadership. Achieving results through others is core to your role. An ability to show leadership and influence the work programmes of a wide range of Agency staff from across the business and in other organisations to effect an outcome will be an important aspect of your work. As such you will need to set and deliver to high work standards and be driven to meet targets. You will need to prioritise and organise tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Day to day work incorporates a wide variety of communication mechanisms including developing briefs for senior leaders through to maintaining good working relationships with your immediate, but remotely based, team as well as with external organisations. Good communication is essential to maintain awareness, manage our business risks and our customer / stakeholder relationships.

Full driving licence preferred but not essential