Advisor: Agriculture - 11517

3
National
All, Various
Various, All
Staff Grade 5
Fixed Term
Full Time, Part Time/Job Share
Business Management & Improvement, Environment & Sustainability, Science
£34,879 (pro-rata)
The future of agriculture policy in the United Kingdom is at a pivotal point politically and economically.

The Environment Agency are deeply invested in working with the government to influence comprehensive changes in the way that agriculture is managed and regulated from farm through to supply chain. We have more opportunities available to us at a legislative and policy level than ever before and we are starting to see momentous changes as a result of our engagement.

We are looking for confident and enthusiastic people with knowledge of agriculture and rural land use to join the team.

Depending on your background and experience you could be involved in any of the following:
• Working with Defra, its bodies and the sector, to inform future agriculture policy by evaluating data, preparing evidence and designing cost effective solutions to secure positive outcomes for people and wildlife.
• Working with our Operations staff to implement regulate new and ongoing legislation.
• Assessing how we can develop environmental capabilities within the sector.
• Developing our relationship with market assurance schemes and supermarkets to drive environmental standards through the supply chain
• Understanding how innovative technologies may affect our environmental objectives
The One Agriculture Team sits within the national Water, Land and Biodiversity function of the Environment Agency. We steer the direction, set the priorities and shape our organisation's approach to delivering environmental outcomes and better regulation.

We work closely with colleagues across the Environment Agency, with Government, delivery partners and customers, and the agricultural and food and drink sector to help create a better place for people and wildlife and demonstrate value for money.
This is an Advisor role so you will be highly motivated with a proven ability to deliver results and work with others to help achieve common goals.

Essential:
• Ability to analyse, interpret and present complex evidence and data to enable effective solutions to technical problems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to clearly present information to different audiences.
• Ability to identify and produce reports and evidence to agreed timescales and quality standards to meet customer needs, so that data and evidence and Environment Agency interests are accurately and effectively presented.
• An understanding of agriculture and agriculture measures
• Demonstrable ability and experience of influencing and persuading others

Desirable
• Experience of informing and influencing government departments or the agricultural / food and drink sector.

It is expected that you will have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a relevant field.
Location is flexible, subject to agreement with facilities management. You’ll understand and be comfortable with the challenges of working within a dispersed team. Some travel to meetings will be required, mainly Birmingham, London and Bristol.

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.

Please note your application will be sifted based on your answers to the competency questions below. If you are an external candidate please request the capabilities.

For more information or to arrange informal discussion about the role please contact Katrina Simcox on Katrina.simcox@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Please download the candidate pack.

11/08/2019, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
23 months
Achieves Results
Giving a specific example of a piece of work you have delivered, describe how you prioritised your workload and how you met the final deadline.
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Describe an occasion when you have had to consider a number of possible solutions to a problem and how you presented your final decision.
Data and Information Management
Give an example of when you have used your technical knowledge and available data to communicate an issue to an audience
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Give an example of a time when you have had to balance the needs of various customers with conflicting priorities.
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.