Project Support and Engagement Officer - 20210

The role of Project Support & Engagement Officer supports the effective delivery of the Core Team’s advisory and regulatory responsibilities in relation to the construction of HS2.
The role will involve:
• Working with a wide range of people such as; our area colleagues, National Permitting Service, HS2 Ltd and their contractors, elected representatives, government departments, customers and communities along the route.
• Liaising with Technical Specialists, Project Managers, Area teams and external partners to respond to queries and requests for information.
• Working collaboratively with other team members to plan and deliver regular communication and engagement activities to raise awareness and promote the work of the team internally and externally.
• Undertaking research, horizon scanning and information gathering to assist in drafting and updating communications and engagement plans for the Team.
• Ensuring internal information and collaboration sites for the project are up to date and compliant with all Data Protection and Information Management requirements.
• Identifying and promoting opportunities to engage in new ways of working and adopting best practice in the management of communications and engagement.
• Producing briefing notes and papers to support external and internal project meetings.
• Producing and maintaining spreadsheets and work trackers.

You will be part of a dispersed team whose role is to both regulate and provide advice to HS2.
The team works with HS2 and their contractors to suggest and influence ways of working to best safeguard the environment on Europe’s largest infrastructure project.
The team works closely with lead staff in Areas impacted by HS2, as well as Defra, Natural England, Forestry Commission, DfT and a wide range of key stakeholders.

• High standard of verbal and written communication skills
• High level of interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and remain calm under pressure whilst acting with discretion and maintaining confidentiality
• A clear and confident communicator who is comfortable explaining technical or regulatory issues to non-technical stakeholders and partners
• Methodical, accurate and able to prioritise and manage own workload including working to tight deadlines with minimal supervision
• Experience of working with others and using own knowledge and judgement to achieve the desired outcome
• Experience of interpreting detailed and complex data or information
• Experience of working in a busy project environment
• Use of IT systems
• Experience of working with government departments, elected representatives and external bodies (desirable)

These are full-time posts although requests for other work patterns (i.e. part time) will be considered. Under current circumstances you can be based at home or any EA office, with additional (optional) travel to Birmingham and London.

If you would like to discuss the post, please contact Lucy Gallagher by telephone on 07879115257, or by email at lucy.gallagher@environment-agency.gov.uk

Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.

Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.