Partnerships Adviser - 36347

Environment Agency; Warmley; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working patterns

Remote collaboration

Job summary

Environment Agency is seeking a Partnerships Advisor to join the Defra Group Fleet Services Partnerships team. You will lead communications and engagement to support fleet transformation, sustainability and service improvements across the Environment Agency and Defra Group.

You will build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, shaping engagement approaches and ensuring stakeholders are informed and involved through change.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and delivering planned communications, engagement or consultation activity.
• Experience leading engagement with diverse stakeholders, building trusted relationships.
• Experience supporting complex change, transformation or service improvement programmes through effective communications.
• Ability to develop clear communication narratives, engagement plans and key messages that support business priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with high-quality briefings and reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of communications and engagement activity that supports DGFS priorities, programmes and objectives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across the Environment Agency and Defra Group, acting as a trusted advisor and point of contact.
• Develop and deliver stakeholder engagement plans, including workshops, briefings, meetings, events and consultations.
• Translate complex fleet information into clear, accessible communications for stakeholders.
• Provide communications and engagement advice to project teams to support change and outcomes.
• Identify engagement risks, issues and opportunities and propose solutions to improve stakeholder experience and delivery.
• Champion best practice in communications and engagement across DGFS.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communications planning

Change management

Relationship building

Advising project teams

Job description

Job Description We are looking for a Partnerships Advisor to join the Partnerships team within Defra Group Fleet Services. The Partnerships Advisor plays a key role in delivering Defra Group Fleet Services' strategic objectives through effective communications, stakeholder engagement and partnership management across the Environment Agency and wider Defra Group. You will build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing expert communications and engagement support to help deliver fleet transformation, sustainability initiatives and service improvements aligned with Government commitments and organisational priorities. Working closely with operational teams and partners, you will identify business needs, shape engagement approaches and ensure stakeholders are informed, involved and supported through change.

Job Description We are looking for a Partnerships Advisor to join the Partnerships team within Defra Group Fleet Services. The Partnerships Advisor plays a key role in delivering Defra Group Fleet Services' strategic objectives through effective communications, stakeholder engagement and partnership management across the Environment Agency and wider Defra Group. You will build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, providing expert communications and engagement support to help deliver fleet transformation, sustainability initiatives and service improvements aligned with Government commitments and organisational priorities. Working closely with operational teams and partners, you will identify business needs, shape engagement approaches and ensure stakeholders are informed, involved and supported through change.

You will:

• Lead the development and delivery of communications and engagement activity that supports DGFS priorities, programmes and strategic objectives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders across the Environment Agency and wider Defra Group, acting as a trusted advisor and key point of contact.
• Develop and deliver stakeholder engagement plans, including workshops, briefings, meetings, events and consultation activities.
• Work with operational teams and partners to understand business and fleet requirements, translating complex information into clear, accessible communications.
• Provide communications and engagement advice to project teams and service leads, helping to manage change and support successful business outcomes.
• Identify engagement risks, issues and opportunities, escalating where appropriate and recommending solutions to improve stakeholder experience and programme delivery.
• Champion best practice in communications and engagement, helping to embed consistent approaches across DGFS.

The team

Defra Group Fleet Services (DGFS) delivers fleet services across 12 organisations, managing one of the largest and most diverse public sector fleets in the UK. Joining the Partnerships Team, you will work with colleagues across the Environment Agency and Defra Group to support fleet transformation, sustainability and service improvement. You'll build strong partnerships, influence change and help deliver innovative fleet solutions that support operational and environmental objectives.

Experience/skills Required

We welcome candidates with transferable skills and relevant experience gained in different sectors. Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Experience developing and delivering planned communications, engagement or consultation activity, including planning approaches, identifying audiences, developing key messages and evaluating outcomes.
• Experience leading engagement with diverse stakeholders, building trusted relationships and influencing decision-making.
• Experience supporting complex change, transformation or service improvement programmes through effective communications and engagement approaches.
• Ability to develop clear communication narratives, engagement plans and key messages that support business priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including producing high-quality briefings, presentations, reports and communication materials.
• Experience analysing stakeholder feedback, risks and issues, using insight to improve engagement outcomes.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, managing competing priorities and delivering results in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience working collaboratively across teams and organisations to deliver shared goals and improve stakeholder experience.

Contact and additional information

As part of a national team, your working location is flexible. You may be required to work from Environment Agency offices and attend national meetings, which may occasionally involve overnight stays. You'll be comfortable working remotely and collaborating with colleagues and stakeholders across a geographically dispersed organisation.

The post is full-time; however, requests for alternative working patterns will be considered in line with business needs.

Interviews will be held virtually via MS Teams. For queries, contact Catherine Williams [e-mail]

Competence 1

Engages others

Description

Provide an example of when you have planned and delivered engagement with stakeholders to achieve a specific outcome. Please explain how you identified who to engage, how you decided the most appropriate engagement approach, how you adapted to stakeholder needs, and how you evaluated the success of the engagement.

Competence 2

Communicates Effectively

Description

Provide an example of when you communicated a complex or challenging issue to stakeholders with different perspectives. How did you tailor your communication, ensure understanding and respond to feedback or challenge to achieve the desired outcome?

Competence 3

Manages Change

Description

Provide an example of when you led or played a key role in delivering a significant change in a complex environment. How did you plan for and implement the change, gain commitment from those affected, manage resistance or uncertainty, and ensure the change was successfully embedded?

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.