External Affairs Advisor - Water Enforcement - 32251

External Affairs Advisor - Water Enforcement - 32251
1
National
All
Staff Grade 5
Permanent
Communications / Marketing
Full Time, Part Time, Compressed Hours
£43,198

17/11/2025, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Do you have excellent experience in strategic engagement and communication and are looking to pursue a career as an external affairs professional? Can you inspire others to work with you?

Our External Affairs Team leads on the way Environment and Business (E&B) engages across the Directorate, into the wider organisation, and with external stakeholders, government, partners, and the media.

The E&B Directorate supports the Environment Agency’s (EA’s) vision by creating and developing better ways to deliver environmental outcomes and improvements. Using evidence and innovation, our expert teams secure resources, influence policy and legislation, and enhance and support delivery of a better environment.

As an External Affairs Advisor, you will help to promote the work of the Environment Agency to its target audiences; including the general public, key stakeholders, and government. You will achieve this by leading strategic engagement opportunities and projects within E&B and supporting others.

You will regularly work with senior leaders and their teams. The ability to work under pressure, be highly organised, and handle competing demands, whilst delivering first-class communications and engagement products will be essential.

Successful candidates will be assigned a portfolio cutting across key areas of work.
The E&B External Affairs team is responsible for advising and influencing our directorate on building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and organisations; strengthening our voice and influence so that our work is better known, trusted, and has greater impact.

You’ll be part of a highly talented, multi-disciplinary team of seven. Based at various locations across the country, E&B external affairs holds relationships with Defra, Government, and our Executive Directors.
The successful candidate has exemplary engagement skills and a proven track record in delivering through others.

In your capability-based answers please demonstrate you can:

-be a clear, passionate communicator with the ability to build relationships/collaborate at all levels
-work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work
-be able to troubleshoot tricky situations – by listening, reflecting and questioning the situation to understand the facts and find a resolution
-have experience of advising and influencing senior leaders on building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders
-have innovative IT skills to improve productivity
-have outstanding organisation and multi-tasking skills
-have a positive attitude and the ability to work independently to prioritise workload
-be able to manage difficult situations and conversations to support your team leader

You’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.
You’ll have an inclusive incident management objective in your development plan. We’ll help you find a role to suit your needs. Appropriate training will be given. #LI-DNI

You’ll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible / hybrid.

We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel. Some travel and overnights may be required.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack for information.. Any queries, contact melinda.fewster@environment-agency.gov.uk

Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.

If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.
Influences and Persuades Others
Presenting a case in a convincing and attractive way that will win people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail.

Please use real life examples to evidence how you’ve met this competency. Please consider the characteristics and requirements of the role in your answer.

If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to interview. Feedback is generally not available at sift stage

More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.
Communicates Effectively
Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.

Please use real life examples to evidence how you’ve met this competency. Please consider the characteristics and requirements of the role in your answer.
Achieves Results
Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results

Please use real life examples to evidence how you’ve met this competency. Please consider the characteristics and requirements of the role in your answer.
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.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the  Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.