Communications and Engagement Advisor - 23589

The Environment Agency is here to maintain and improve the environment and create a better place for people, nature, and the economy. Tackling the climate emergency is at the heart of all we do.

We are looking for somebody with a passion for the environment to improve how the Environment Agency operates so we can deliver even more for the environment and deliver our ambition to be a net zero organisation by 2030.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the River and Asset Regulation project team to lead stakeholder engagement. We're looking for a passionate, self-motivated engagement professional who will work with Defra and EA colleagues delivering business critical improvements.

Engagement with customers and partners will be essential to the implementation of the project.

You'll develop and deliver our communications and engagement strategy ensuring effective engagement is planned, undertaken, promoted, and integrated across the project in line with our ‘Working with others’ approach.

Sharing the benefits of the project will be critical for its success, you will translate complex technical information into high quality communication materials appealing to internal and external audiences.

You will work closely with project leads and key stakeholders, to develop relationships and identify engagement opportunities.

This role is in the River and Asset Regulation team which sits within the National Flood and Coastal Risk Management directorate.

We are a kind and friendly national team that are committed to improving how the Environment Agency operates so we deliver more for people, wildlife and the environment.

We support flexible working for a positive work life balance and to reduce our carbon footprint. Many of the team also have voluntary incident management roles.

You'll have good knowledge and experience of engagement planning, delivery and evaluation, enabling you to act as an engagement practitioner and advisor.

Your experience will demonstrate you can:

Lead the strategic direction of high-profile communication and engagement strategies using business awareness

Identify and deliver a wide range of communications and engagement methods, including writing high quality plain English materials whilst adapting to different audiences

Communicate, engage and collaborate with a range of internal and external stakeholders and can use this experience to offer advice and support to others

Use a flexible and highly organised approach meeting tight deadlines and prioritising workloads

Deliver and co-ordinate inclusive communications and engagement with an understanding of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion and how it impacts the engagement

We are looking for applicants who believe that having a diverse workforce is fundamental to protect the environment and serve our communities. The role will be an assignment for internal candidates for 12 months with possible extension. Internal candidates will need line manager approval to apply.

The Environment Agency offers an extensive range of employee benefits. The team work remotely but occasional travel and overnight stays maybe required. We will consider a variety of working patterns.

Applications will be assessed against the competency questions, please use the 'Environment Agency capability dictionary' available by web search to help provide your answers.

For any questions relating to this role contact Jo Sinden – jo.sinden@environment-agency.gov.uk or call 07770 533891.

Interviews will be held early September via MS Teams.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

Description: Plans, carries out and evaluates effective engagement with internal and external stakeholders following the ‘Working with others’ approach.

Using your knowledge and experience of stakeholder engagement steps, please tell us about a time when you have planned, delivered and evaluated effective stakeholder engagement.

• What was the project?
• How did you plan your engagement strategy?
• How did you use different types of engagement methods?
• What was the outcome?

You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

Description: Takes action before and/or beyond what is required, owning the outcome.

Using your experience of delivering people related projects; please describe how you have delivered successfully in the face of considerable challenges or obstacles and with limited instruction.

• Describe the project
• What were the obstacles?
• How were these overcome?
• What did you learn?
• What was the outcome?

You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

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

Using a work-based example, tell us about your approach to managing competing ideas, needs and priorities of your customers and partners.

• How do you ensure customer needs are satisfied?
• How do you ensure everyone has realistic expectations of the project?
• How do you ensure consistent and timely information to customers and partners with different priorities?

You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response.

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

Using a work-based example, tell us how you tackled disseminating information about a complex situation which you found hard to understand yourself at first.

• How did you demonstrate you had listened to people about the issues?
• How did you know your audience understood your message?
• What did you learn from your example?

You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response