Higher Officer - NRF Policy, Delivery and Implementation - ( Ref : 6343 )

Natural England; Folly Gate; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government environmental agency in the UK seeks motivated individuals for a key technical leadership role. You will drive nature recovery initiatives and support environmental policies through stakeholder collaboration. Ideal candidates should possess sound technical skills and a basic understanding of environmental legislation. The role offers flexible working arrangements, generous leave, and a competitive salary package including pension contributions.

Benefits

Generous leave allowance of 33 days per year

Access to Civil Service Pension scheme

Cycle-to-work scheme

Shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Understanding terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders for pragmatic outcomes.
• Ability to disseminate complex technical advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for specific areas.
• Build relationships with stakeholders.
• Support coordination of internal networks.

Skills

Sound technical skills

Understanding of key environmental legislation

Communication skills

Data handling

Education

Basic understanding of ecosystems

Experience in policy outcomes

Tools

Excel

R

Job description

Overview

Join us in shaping a future where nature and people thrive. Whether you’re drawn to hands‑on conservation or playing a vital part behind the scenes, your work at Natural England will support lasting benefits for the environment and society.

Role

Natural England is the Government's adviser for the natural environment and the Nature regulator with a wide range of statutory duties and powers. We provide the evidence, expertise and advice to recover Nature and shape better places for people to live. Working through and with others, we support life‑long nature recovery and policy reform.

Priorities

• Drive nature recovery at greater scale and faster pace by supporting large‑scale projects and simplifying permissions for nature‑positive change.
• Tackle the root causes of nature’s decline by partnering with Defra to ensure cleaner air, water, healthier soils and productive seas.
• Partner with planners and developers on "high nature; low carbon" houses, energy and transport infrastructure and introduce strategic solutions so development can also protect and restore nature.
• Support food security and sustainable farming, forestry and fishing through targeted advice and the right mix of public and private finance.
• Shape better places for people to work and live by providing clear evidence and advice to partners, using spatial plans for nature as a framework for investment and joined‑up action.
• Connect communities with nature and create nature close to people’s homes, ensuring everyone gains from the health benefits nature can bring.

Key Tasks / Principal Accountabilities

• Provide a key technical leadership role for a specific area or topic.
• Help build and maintain positive and influential relationships with stakeholders – internally and externally – to develop, implement and deliver strategy and policy.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across Natural England.
• Provide administrative and technical support (including procurement and project management) for delivering new programmes and pilots to support implementation of major strategies.
• Participate in and support coordination of relevant internal networks to build capability across the organisation.

Competencies

We will assess you against the competencies below during the selection process:

• Technical Skills & Knowledge
• Work Delivery
• Personal Effectiveness
• Putting People at the Heart of the Environment

Qualifications

• Sound technical skills and a basic understanding of key environmental legislation and the role of policy and the policy‑making process.
• Understanding terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
• Good knowledge of the breadth of Natural England's role and delivery responsibilities; and of the key issues in environmental policy.
• Experience of collaborating with a range of stakeholders to achieve pragmatic outcomes.
• Basic working knowledge of the key stakeholders relevant to the specific strategy/policy area.
• Ability to use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques to disseminate complex technical advice.
• Knowledge of how to handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies, and procedures.
• Experience of delivering work against agreed targets and deadlines in line with relevant project/programme management structures.
• Interest in modelling nutrient pollution scenarios in Excel and experience using Excel or R to improve calculations for different mitigation solutions.
• Understanding of the Habitat Regulations and emerging nature markets, Planning and Infrastructure Bill, Nutrient Neutrality, Biodiversity Net Gain and Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

Benefits & Working arrangements

We offer full‑time, part‑time and flexible working arrangements. Annual personal learning and development days plus volunteer days are available. Generous leave allowance of 33 days per year (pro‑rata), access to the Civil Service Pension scheme with a 28.97% employer contribution, cycle‑to‑work scheme, shopping discounts, civil service sport club discounts and an inclusive culture.

Location

Hybrid working across 25 offices nationwide. New staff will be formally linked to one of our 25 offices and are expected to attend their local office 20% of contractual hours.

Salary

£30,850 plus pension (£8,937 contribution to the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme). Additional learning and development tailored to the role.

Reference

For more details about Natural England, visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/natural-england.