Senior Advisor - Water Resources Security of Supply - 28802

In the Security of Supply team we ensure that there is enough water for society and the environment over at least the next 25 years. It’s an exciting time to be part of the team with big decisions about to be made that will secure our country’s water supplies for the next generation. In this post you will be in the middle of this, working closely with Defra, and Environment Agency colleagues!

This post is to cover maternity leave for a senior advisor in the Security of Supply team in Environment and Business.

The role will involve working closely with experts in the team and in Operational Catchments Services. The post holder will work closely with Defra and other regulators including Ofwat, Natural England, RAPID and Natural Resources Wales.

The post holder should bring their own technical experience to the role, with a key project management focus and good communication skills. Significant areas of work will include managing the final stage of the water resources management plan review. This means working across the organisations and teams listed above to ensure that good quality water company final plans. The post holder will also provide technical input into our planning for the next round of water company guidance, support on water company drought planning and provide technical and policy input to the organisation and government where needed.

The role will manage several posts in the strategic drought team, working closely with technical leads across the team. Team leader experience would therefore be useful, but not essential to the role. We are fully committed to having an 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.

The water resources security of supply team leads on the policy and process of water company planning, particularly to water company drought plans and water resources management plans plus lead on national drought management. We have an important job to ensure that the country is planning secure water supplies to water company customers in drought and over the next 25 years.

We are looking for someone with a good technical understanding of water resources planning. We would be very interested in hearing from you if you have some or all of the following experience:

• ability to scope, lead and deliver specific projects depending on team and government priorities
• leading, managing and supporting a small team
• excellent written and verbal communication skills
• an excellent track record of achieving results
• experience of water resources although a technical understanding of water company drought planning, regional plans and/or water resources management plans would be beneficial.
• building, maintaining and maximising relationships with internal colleagues and regulators

This is a national role so there is flexibility on location, although the successful candidate can be based at any Environment Agency office. Line manager for this role is Stuart Sampson, Water Resources Security of Supply manager.

For further discussions, please contact stuart.sampson@environment-agency.gov.uk and for an informal discussion, please call 07917263803

We encourage you to refer to our "EA capability dictionary" which can be viewed in the attached candidate pack. You may find it helpful to research the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) approach when formulating your response.
Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results. Tell us about your experience of achieving an important outcome.

Explain how you have influenced and persuaded others to ensure an outcome you required.

Give an example of how you have delivered a successful outcome through others – this could be through other teams within your organisation or with partners.