External Affairs Advisor - 27746

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Job Description 1Do you have excellent experience in strategic engagement and communication and are looking to pursue a career as an external affairs professional? Can you inspire others to work with you?Our new External Affairs Teams will transform the way Environment and Business (E&B) engages across the Directorate, into the wider organisation, and with external stakeholders, government, partners, and the media.The E&B Directorate supports the Environment Agency’s (EA’s) vision by creating and developing better ways to deliver environmental outcomes and improvements. Using evidence and innovation, our expert teams secure resources, influence policy and legislation, and enhance and support delivery of a better environment.As an External Affairs Advisor, you will help to promote the work of the Environment Agency to its target audiences; including the general public, key stakeholders, and government. You will achieve this by leading strategic engagement opportunities and projects within E&B, and supporting others. You will regularly work with senior leaders and their teams. The ability to work under pressure, be highly organised, and handle competing demands, whilst delivering first-class communications and engagement products will be essential. Successful candidates will be assigned a portfolio cutting across key areas of work.Two of these post will focus on strategic engagement whilst the other will also lead on communications, for one of our priority areas of work.We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel, but some travel and overnight stays may be required.Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be asked 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 will be available to support you with your incident role.The team 1The E&B External Affairs team will be responsible for advising and influencing our directorate on building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders and organisations; strengthening our voice and influence so that our work is better known, trusted, and has greater impact.You’ll be part of a highly talented, multi-disciplinary team of 16. Based at various locations across the country, E&B external affairs will hold relationships with Defra, Government, and our Executive Directors.Experience/skills Required 1The successful candidate has exemplary engagement skills and a proven track record in delivering through others.In your capability-based answers please demonstrate you can:~be a clear, passionate communicator with the ability to build relationships/collaborate at all levels~work effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and actively encourage others to consider diversity issues in their work~be able to troubleshoot tricky situations – by listening, reflecting and questioning the situation to understand the facts and find a resolution~have experience of advising and influencing senior leaders on building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders~have innovative IT skills to improve productivity~have outstanding organisation and multi-tasking skills~have a positive attitude and the ability to work independently to prioritise workload~be able to manage difficult situations and conversations to support your team leaderYou’ll have a range of development opportunities and appropriate training will be provided.Contact and additional information 1We’re committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve, so welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds.Interviews will be held using MS Teams 17th and 18th October.For more information about working for us, who to contact regarding these roles and how to apply please read the Candidate Pack and Additional Information PackIf you have any queries about the role, please contact natalie.garner@environment-agency.gov.ukIt would be anticipated that this role would require some travel, principally to Birmingham, Bristol, and LondonApplications will be “blind” assessed using your answers to the competency questions.If you consent to be recruited onto a reserve list, we’ll hold your details for 6 months and we may offer you an alternative post.Closing Date:02/10/2023, 23:55 hoursLevel of security checks required 1Basic CheckCompetence 1 1Influences and Persuades OthersDescription 1Personal EffectivenessInfluences and Persuades othersMore information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.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.Please use real life examples to evidence how you’ve met this competency. Please consider the characteristics and requirements of the role in your answer.Competence 2 1Communicates EffectivelyDescription 1More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.Please use real life examples to evidence how you’ve met this competency. Please consider the characteristics and requirements of the role in your answer.Competence 3 1Focuses on Customers and PartnersDescription 1More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.Please use real life examples to evidence how you’ve met this competency. Please consider the characteristics and requirements of the role in your answer.Competence 4 1Achieves ResultsDescription 1More information on how to answer competency questions can be found in the candidate pack.Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of resultsPlease use real life examples to evidence how you’ve met this competency. Please consider the characteristics and requirements of the role in your answer.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.