Thames Estuary Programme Senior Advisor - 35753

Job description

Thames Estuary Programme Senior Advisor - 35753

Thames Estuary Programme Senior Advisor - 35753

Number of jobs available

1

Region

London, National

City/Town

London

Building/Site

DEFRA GRP MARSHAM STREET, SW1P 4DF

Grade

Staff Grade 6

Post Type

Permanent

Role Type

Engineering, Environment & Sustainability, Geography, Science, Strategy

Working Pattern

Full Time, Part Time/Job Share, Compressed Hours

Salary Minimum

£54,940

Closing Date:

21/09/2026, 23:55 hours

Job description attachment 1

Candidate pack

Security checks level

Basic Check

Job description

Climate change is reshaping coastlines, cities and societies around the world. This is your opportunity to be part of one of the UK's most ambitious climate adaptation and infrastructure programmes.

Underpinned by the internationally recognised Thames Estuary 2100 Strategy, the Thames Estuary Programme is responsible for planning and delivering long-term flood resilience for London, Kent and Essex. We are protecting more than 1.5 million people, over £400bn of property and assets, and some of the UK's most important infrastructure from the increasing impacts of climate change and sea level rise.

This is an opportunity to join a newly established department with fresh momentum and ambitious plans. You will help shape the future of the Thames Estuary and the direction of a growing team.

Working alongside leading experts from across government, infrastructure, engineering, environmental and professional services sectors, you will contribute to nationally significant challenges that are recognised globally as a leading example of climate resilience and long-term infrastructure planning.

As a Senior Advisor in the Strategy Evidence Team, you will:

• Be part of the team responsible for monitoring and updating the Thames Estuary 2100 strategy

• Create, analyse and update evidence that underpins and informs delivery of the Thames Estuary Programme.

• Act as senior user across critical projects to ensure they are delivering in line with the Strategy.

• Scope, write and review technical documents; review and analyse data; drawing out conclusions, risks and assumptions.

• Be part of strategy and evidence networks and champion our work across the Environment Agency, ensuring our priorities are embedded into future business need.

• Be a proactive, visible part of the Thames Estuary Programme Senior Advisor network, be a role model and coach for team members.

The team

The Thames Estuary Programme is delivered by the Thames Programme Delivery Department within the Environment Agency's Flood and Coastal Risk Management Directorate.

We are building a team for the future: bringing together talented people who want to tackle some of the most complex infrastructure, environmental and societal challenges facing the UK.

We work closely with partners across government, local authorities, infrastructure owners, consultants, academia and international organisations.

We value curiosity, innovation, collaboration and diverse perspectives.

Experience/skills required

The Thames Estuary Programme is a fast-paced, exciting and innovative programme. We are looking for someone who:

• Has a background in a relevant subject, such as engineering, hydraulic modelling, asset management or strategic flood risk management.

• Is a strategic thinker who can anticipate and plan for future challenges and opportunities, and can translate complex information into something that is accessible to others

• Is an excellent communicator, who can confidently work with and influence stakeholders and decision makers.

• Is flexible and can balance a varied and interesting workload on one of the largest programmes in the Environment Agency.

• Can motivate and inspire a team, provide visible and motivational leadership and direction, and prioritise team activities to look after the team's welfare.

• Has an enthusiasm to learn about Thames Estuary 2100, develop yourself and others, try new ideas and take risks on innovative approaches.

Contact and additional information

This role is based in 2 Marsham Street, London and will attract London weighting. We expect successful candidates to spend time collaborating face-to-face with colleagues and partners.

There will be a need for some travel within the Thames Estuary.

You will be expected to take an active role in incident management.

The level of clearance required for this role is CTC.

We are proud of our inclusive, supportive culture, where everyone is encouraged to be themselves. The Environment Agency is fully committed to having an inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share.

For any questions relating to this role, please contact Sarah Smith ([email protected])

We plan to hold interviews week commencing 5th October.

Competence 1

Takes Decisions and Solves Problems

Description

This competency is described as: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

In this role your team will be responsible for creating, collating and analysing evidence to understand the impacts on the Thames Estuary 2100 Strategy and make recommendations to senior leaders. Please give an example of when you have analysed complex information and presented a recommendation to senior leaders, explaining how you approached this.

Competence 2

Achieves Results

Description

This competency is described as: Sets and delivers high work standards, demonstrates the drive to meet targets. Prioritises and organises tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results

In this role there will be lots of conflicting priorities and you will need to manage your workload to ensure you can prioritise and deliver results. Please give an example of where you have done this to deliver great outcomes in a timely way.

Competence 3

Influences and Persuades Others

Description

This competency is described as: 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.

In this role you will need to influence colleagues, the business or stakeholders to try new approaches or ways of working. Please give an example of how you have successfully influenced others to take a different approach to achieve better outcomes.

Competence 4

Leads People

Description

This competency is described as: Provides leadership that inspires and motivates others to achieve their personal goals and the goals of the Environment Agency.

In this role you will work with other Senior Advisors to provide proactive, visible leadership both within your team and across the Thames Estuary Programme. Give an example when you have inspired and motivated a team through a particularly challenging time or to overcome a problem.

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 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 . Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.