AMS PSR

On behalf of Defra, we are looking for a Senior Policy Advisor x15 - Inside IR35 for a 6 month contract (poss ext) working on a Hybrid basis (3 days per week in any DEFRA hub and remaining WFH)

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

Our objectives are:

• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future. 
• To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production. 
• To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs www.gov.uk. 

25 Year Environment Plan - GOV.UK www.gov.uk.

About The Role: 

You will play an active role in shaping and delivering our priorities, working creatively and collaboratively with others to deliver excellent outcomes.

You will need to build excellent relationships across the Directorate, with wider Defra colleagues, other government departments, arm’s length bodies, and with external stakeholders, inspiring confidence and trust.

You can expect frequent interaction with Ministers, Special Advisers and senior officials, including in other government departments. It’s a very exciting time to join the team and be part of supporting important policy areas.

The main duties and responsibilities of the Senior Policy Advisor would be:

• Owning key elements of policy and policy development
• Independently driving progress to meet key milestones
• Briefing Ministers and senior leaders, orally and in writing
• Drafting responses to written correspondence
• Responding to Parliamentary Questions on your policy area
• Negotiating policy positions with other departments
• Drafting consultations and official government responses
• Working with stakeholders and experts to design new policy interventions

Essential: 

• Experience of confidently leading on various aspects of the policy and legislative cycles including the delivery of key policy outcomes
• Experience using analysis and information to develop and assess options for decision makers, drawing on expertise from others as required
• Excellent written and oral communication skills,
• Evidence of working confidently with varied teams or colleagues to deliver common goals
• Good strategic judgement to identify tensions and links between different areas of work and recognise where your work fits with wider organisational objectives
• Excellent task management and prioritisation, with a strong focus on delivery
• Ability to work at pace to deliver with competing deadlines
• Proactive, organised, excellent attention to detail

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".