Number of jobs available: 1
Region: National
City/Town: All
Building/Site: All
Grade: Staff Grade 7
Post Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full Time
Role Type: Policy
Salary Minimum: £59,682
Job description
We are the Environment Agency. We create better places for people, wildlife, and the environment. We put the climate emergency at the heart of everything we do and help society adapt to environmental challenges such as flooding, drought, sea level rise and coastal change.
In 2020, we released the National Framework for Water Resources which marked a step-change in planning the nation’s water resources to be more resilient. We are looking for a leader to revise the national framework and create a change in how water resources are managed. This summer’s drought and the pressures its placed on abstractors brought home the need to accelerate water resources resilience’s measures. In this role you will lead a small team to enhance water resource resilience and working with the Security of Supply manager take strategic decisions around future droughts policies.
A key part of the role is working collaboratively with, government and water regulators to challenge thinking around water resource resilience. Engaging collectively with a wide group of stakeholders, you will identify emerging challenges, and develop strategic resilience responses within the national context.
You and your team will work closely with the Security of Supply team in WM&I and will be well connected with National ops teams and our 14 local operational area teams to ensure national ambition and priorities align with their work.
You will be responsible for management of the external National Framework Senior Steering Group, liaising with the Independent chair.
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents, or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.
The team
The water resource resilient team sits in the Water Management and Investments (WM&I) department within the Environment and Business Directorate. It is responsible for setting the strategic direction for water resource resilience mainly through development of the revised national framework and will develop strategic drought policies. The team works closely with water companies Regional WR groups, NFU, Water UK, Ofwat, Rapid and government agencies to improve water resource resilience.
Experience/skills required
You will be an innovative thinker and understand the need to bridge the gap between economic growth, environmental protection, and water resource resilience, with a good understanding of government priorities.
You will be able to:
• demonstrate substantial experience gained in water resource management or a similar regulatory environment to enable leadership of issues.
• provide clear and timely direction to those working on the National Framework
• communicate complex issues to a range of audiences, with the ability to listen and adapt proposals with emotional intelligence.
• be flexible to changing priorities and be alive to the wider political situation
• negotiate, and apply your excellent judgement/decision making skills to influence senior leaders
• develop effective working relationships with stakeholders.
• ideally you will have incident experience with knowledge of droughts.
• you will hold at least a relevant degree or equivalent, usually gained through extensive experience and training.
Contact and additional information
This is a national role, location is flexible. Travel to London and Birmingham plus other Environment Agency offices may be required as part of the role.
This role is being advertised as a permanent position.
The Environment Agency is 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. Our workforce is underrepresented by minority ethnic staff and the disabled, and we would welcome applicants from these backgrounds.
Assessments will take place on either 30th January or 1 February 2023 using virtual technology.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
Anne Dacey on 07710903353 email: anne.dacey@environment-agency.gov.uk
Job description attachment 1
Job Profile – 25333.docx – 53KB
Converted File Job Profile – 25333.docx.pdf – 64KB
Candidate pack
Candidate Pack – 25333.docx – 1866KB
Converted File Candidate Pack – 25333.docx.pdf – 516KB
Closing Date: 20/01/2023, 23:55 hours
Level of security checks required: Basic Check
Competence 1: Leads People
Description
Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency
Competence 2: Delivers Results Through Others
Description
Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.
Competence 3: Influences and Persuades Others
Description
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.
Competence 4: Manages Change
Description
Understands role in leading change. Successfully leads change in own team.
Competence 5: Business of the Environment Agency
Description
Understands the direction, goals and business of the Environment Agency Your answer should demonstrate your substantial experience gained in water resource management.
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.
