Senior Chemicals Advisor (Pesticides) - 6199

The Environment Agency are currently reviewing and planning for the future of our role in managing chemicals across a range of regimes. These include REACH, POPs, and Plant Protection Products as part of the process of EU Exit.
As a result we are recruiting for a Senior Advisor to lead on the shaping of our future role in managing pesticide and biocide impacts on the environment.
This role offers the opportunity to be a key figure in further developing the pesticides component of our joint strategy with Defra.
Central to this is the responsibility for assessing all the EA roles associated with plant protection products.
Included in the context of EU Exit:
• Water quality planning
• Application of pesticides to water
• Environmental monitoring
• Advice to government
• Incident management
• Disposal and relationships with the Pesticides Forum
• Voluntary Initiatives
• BASIS
• Manufacturers and agricultural sector)

Likewise you will consider how we can best deliver on our commitments following EU Exit, whilst also taking into account the overall funding and implementation planning.
Communication is also a fundamental part of this role as you will be the main contact with the Defra/HSE/EA EU Exit Project on pesticides.

Working across the Environment Agency, and with Defra and HSE, this is an exciting policy area with the opportunity to make a real difference to the way we do things.
You will be working as part of the Environment Agency EU Exit Chemicals Programme and also closely with Environment and Business teams in Water Land & Biodiversity, Regulated Industry and Evidence.

You will have excellent influencing and interpersonal skills. A relevant background and experience with pesticides / chemicals risks / monitoring and / or agricultural impacts on water quality would be advantageous. In addition you will be well organised, able to plan effectively and deliver within a project and matrix management structure.

Closing Date: 30th August 2017 at 23:55 hours

This role will require occasional travel, the majority of which will be to either York or Bristol.

Further information on this role and the Environment Agency can also be found within the candidate pack that accompanies this vacancy (please find this attached to the advert on our candidate portal).

Interviews for this role will be conducted during week commencing 25th September.

Please note all successful applicants must undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks prior to commencement of employment. This includes a basic criminal records check.

If you would like any additional information on the role and the work of our team, please feel free to contact Roger Hoare (EU Exit Chemicals Programme Manager) on 02030254694 or via email roger.hoare@environment-agency.gov.uk for an informal discussion.

Sometimes the most obvious or easy solution isn’t necessarily the best for the business long term. Describe a time when you have faced this situation and come up with an alternative solution to an issue.

Giving a specific example, describe how you have successfully delivered a major project in the face of considerable challenges or obstacles

Describe a time when you have successfully influenced senior stakeholders to deliver to agreed deadlines, in the face of considerable challenge

This will be assessed if your application is progressed to the assessment stage. Please disregard this question and continue with your application.

This will be assessed if your application is progressed to the assessment stage. Please disregard this question and continue with your application.