City/Town
Any
Region
National
Vacancies
3
Salary Minimum
£43,198 Pro Rata
Post Type
Fixed Term
Job ID
35759
Closing date
26 Jul 2026
Published date
09 Jul 2026
Grade
Staff Grade 5
Role type
Policy
Security check
Basic Check
Job description
We are looking for three experienced Policy Specialists to be part of a small, high-performing team working at the centre of the EA, focused on supporting the delivery of the Government’s Water White Paper, including the creation of a new water regulator.
These roles sit at the centre of the EA’s response to high-profile reforms to the water system, working on dynamic, cross-cutting issues with opportunities for development, autonomy and leadership.
This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of shaping the future of environmental regulation, on an agenda of high political and public interest.
You may:
- Support provision of expert advice to government on delivering the ambition set out in the Water White Paper, including establishing an integrated water regulator. This will involve developing EA policy options and recommendations, including on what reforms mean for the future of the EA.
- Support delivery of a programme of joint working with other regulators aimed at improving coordination and regulatory outcomes.
- Lead specific projects and workstreams, identifying delivery risks and taking action to deal with issues. This will involve writing papers and advice, briefing senior colleagues and sharing knowledge to advise and influence others, seeking solutions that deliver effective change and support the best environmental outcomes.
- Act as a bridge between policy, strategy and technical delivery, communicating in clear and engaging ways, to enable joined up working between teams.
- Support engagement with colleagues across Government, the EA and with other regulators to ensure others are brought along as we develop our thinking.
- Embrace constructive challenge and diverse thinking whilst keeping pace in an often fast-moving working environment.
- Be an active part of our supportive team, often in the face of high demand and ambiguity.
Key skills required include:
- Experience of working with central government to develop policy, including working with specialists such as scientists and economists
- Ability to think and act strategically, translating between policy intent and delivery mechanisms
- Excellent communication and engagement skills, including the ability to translate complex or ambiguous issues into simple, targeted advice for a range of audiences
- Experience of working across organisational boundaries, bringing people together and influencing at all levels
Please see Job Profile for more information. Any queries, contact [email protected] or [email protected].
Applications are “blind” assessed using your answers to the questions asked.
Interviews will be held via MS Teams within two weeks of the closing date.
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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.