Strategic Evidence Advisor - 8935

2
National
Various
Various
Staff Grade 5
Fixed Term
Full Time
Science
£34,330 pro-rata
This role presents an exciting opportunity to enhance the Environment Agency’s leadership in tackling the big technological, societal and physical issues affecting the environment. You’ll join a new team building the evidence-base to help the Environment Agency stay ahead of the big risks threatening the natural environment and the part it plays in our lives and those of future generations. The team works across groups of scientists, analysts and other experts to ensure our evidence informs a longer-term and more integrated approach to environmental decision-making.

In this role you’ll undertake a wide variety of tasks, including

• Tracking the changing weight of evidence on emerging risks
• Finding and exploiting opportunities for our evidence to have greater impact
• Completing your own analysis on priority topics and using that to shape future priorities and approaches
• Engaging with experts and other stakeholders to stimulate innovative ways of thinking
The Strategic Evidence Unit is a new team in the Head Office Research, Analysis and Evaluation Group to provide evidence-based leadership on longer-term, complex environmental risks and opportunities. You’ll be one of three team members initially, growing to five from April 2019. You’ll have regular interactions with senior leadership teams who are sponsoring the team’s work and you’ll be expected to develop and/or maintain strong external networks with organisations relevant to environmental futures.
You’ll be a creative thinker with a genuine interest in how the Environment Agency can deliver long-term environmental improvements. You will have scientific or analytical background relevant to exploring environmental futures; a relevant degree (environment science, engineering, geography, social science) and likely a PhD or work experience where you’ve had to undertake your own evidence reviews and analysis and translate it into practical findings for a range of audiences. You’re used to working with a wide range of people and developing a collective commitment to your goals. In addition, you’ll ideally have one or more of the following areas of experience:

• Using approaches to identify and track environmental risks using weight of evidence techniques
• Effective stakeholder engagement, including different models of expert elicitation and peer group
• Scientific/technical communication, particularly how novel approaches and formats can increase influence on decision-making.
Closing Date: 8th October 2018 at 23:55 hours

The successful candidate will be based in our Bristol, Reading or Wallingford offices. Other Environment Agency offices may be considered for the right candidate. The work will require some travel within the UK.

We are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working patterns, including job share. Please highlight any information regarding preferred flexible working arrangements on your application.

For further details please contact Molly Anderson on Tel: 07881 833225 or by email: molly.anderson@environment-agency.gov.uk

08/10/2018, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
2 years
Scientific Knowledge
You'll be able to gather, critically assess and interpret evidence from a range of sources. You may also have the opportunity to undertake your own research so having expertise in a scientific or social science discipline would be an advantage.
Engages others
You'll be able to plan, carry out and evaluate effective engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
Achieves Results
You'll be able to sets and deliver high work standards. You'll be able to prioritise and organise tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
Business of the Environment Agency
You understand the direction, goals and business of the Environment Agency, and are able to enhance and protect the organisation's work and interests.
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.