Government Relations Adviser - 7337

In this role you will protect and enhance the Environment Agency's reputation by working flexibly within the Government Relations team and responding to work pressures. The role works across the organisation, ranging from issues of flood risk, environment protection, planning and water resources and quality. You may lead on the following areas of work:

• Leading on coordinating and quality assuring briefings for ministers, including parliamentary question responses
• Leading and coordinating effective ministerial visits for the organisation
• Working closely with the Government Relations Officer, Senior Government Relations Advisers and Government Relations Manager to help the smooth running of the team
• Providing advice to the organisation around political engagement and awareness
• Providing training on ministerial briefings, visits and parliamentary business
• Act as a key point of contact for internal and external customers on the Environment Agency’s input to parliamentary processes (including parliamentary questions and debates)
• Building and maintaining effective working relationships across the Defra Group, including our Chair, Chief Executive and Executive Directors
• Monitoring relevant parliamentary business and knowledge sharing
• Supporting incident management activities.

The Government Relations team is a busy team based in London. We lead on the Environment Agency’s input to parliamentary processes such as select committee inquiries, parliamentary questions and debates, ensure ministers have timely and accurate briefing and manage input into ministerial correspondence. We work with Environment Agency teams and senior leadership and with Defra and other government departments to build the reputation of the Environment Agency with Government and Parliament.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Good political judgement and awareness
• An attention to detail and capable of presenting data and information in a clear, comprehensible style and format
• A flexible approach and ability to deliver high quality work to tight deadlines
• The ability to work well under pressure, knowing when to refer to colleagues for guidance and support
• Experience in a customer-facing role, with an emphasis on building relationships with key stakeholders and maintaining the positive reputation of an office or service
• The ability to work closely with senior managers and foster a broad network of contacts across the business, building rapport and relationships
• An understanding of Parliamentary and Government processes is helpful
• An understanding of the Environment Agency's business and priorities

Closing Date: 22nd January 2018 at 23:55 hours

For further details please contact Annabelle Rose (email: Annabelle.rose@environment-agency.gov.uk / mob: 07901 331238) or Livio Zellweger (email: livio.zellweger@environment-agency.gov.uk / mob: 07833 481963)

Communicating effectively with internal and external customers to achieve results, often working under pressure and to tight deadlines. Working with others to ensure written briefings are drafted to a high standard and ensuring technical / complex information is clear and concise.

Using own initiative to resolve problems, sometimes under pressure with deadlines. Identifying and asking appropriate questions to explore and mitigate potential reputational or political issues. Making sound decisions based on complex or incomplete information and/or within limited timescales. Escalating issues when they are beyond own limitations and/or have consequences further than own responsibilities.

Understanding the Environment Agency’s role and priorities. The ability to work closely with senior managers and foster a broad network of contacts across the business, building rapport and relationships quickly.