At the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) our responsibilities are large and wide-ranging. Our work is focused on creating a cleaner, healthier environment, developing a world-leading food and farming industry, expanding a thriving rural economy and securing robust defences against natural threats and hazards across the UK. This exciting work will only increase in complexity as the nation moves closer to leaving the EU. Join us as we take a lead in delivering this once-in-a-generation change, and see what you do having a real impact.
In your role as Head of a Policy team, you will:
- lead several complex workstreams relating to domestic and international activity;
- identify the main issues in complex problems, drawing sensible conclusions from a range of incomplete and complex information to shape clear, evidence-based policy recommendations;
- meet and balance the expectations of multiple stakeholders, acting as the bridge between organisational boundaries to help them achieve consensus-based solutions;
- take line-management responsibilities for a team, ensuring a consistently high-quality of work is being delivered and that all deadlines are being met.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence the success of Britain’s future outside of the EU. As such, we are seeking a decisive leader who has great communication and networking capabilities, with the credibility to influence internal colleagues and external partners and stakeholders at all levels. Coming from a background in which you have managed large projects and multiple stakeholders, you will bring the ability to inspire accurate and innovative results. You will also have exceptional analytical skills, with the capacity to work flexibly to react to changing priorities.
We support the professional and personal wellbeing of everyone in the Defra group. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme. We also offer flexible working and a variety of learning and development opportunities.
Two-year fixed-term contract (with potential for extension or permanency).