AMS PSR

On behalf of DEFRA we are looking for an External Affairs Lead (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract on a hybrid basis at any of the DEFRA locations – York, Bristol, London and Newcastle main offices sites (2-3 days office attendance expectations)

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:

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (https://www.gov.uk/)

25 Year Environment Plan - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/)

About the role

The External Affairs lead plays a central role in building and maintaining strong, strategic relationships with key stakeholders to support delivery of departmental priorities. Operating in a fast-paced and politically aware environment, the role ensures stakeholder engagement is coordinated, consistent and aligned to business objectives across the department.

The postholder will work closely with Ministers, Special Advisers, Senior Civil Servants and external partners, providing strategic advice on engagement approaches and representing departmental interests across cross-government networks. The role includes line management responsibility and contributes to strengthening professional external affairs capability.

As an External Affairs Lead, your role responsibilities will be:

• Develop and deliver clear, strategic stakeholder engagement plans for key announcements and policy initiatives across the department.
• Build and maintain strong networks across policy teams, government departments and external organisations to enable effective joint working and best practice.
• Provide expert advice and support to policy teams to ensure stakeholder engagement is coordinated, consistent and aligned to business objectives.
• Represent the department in cross-government external affairs forums, championing departmental interests and identifying potential risks or conflicts.
• Provide regular briefings and updates to Ministers, Special Advisers and senior leaders on stakeholder sentiment, risks and opportunities.
• Ensure a joined-up approach across communications disciplines to support integrated planning and delivery.
• Line manage an External Affairs Manager, supporting performance, development and professional growth.

Essential criteria

• Proven experience developing and managing effective relationships with Ministers, Special Advisers, Senior Civil Servants and a diverse range of external stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience briefing senior audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build cross-government networks and manage stakeholder engagement in complex environments.
• Strong political awareness and judgement, with the ability to identify and mitigate reputational or stakeholder risks.
• Experience working in fast-paced environments, managing competing priorities and operating with autonomy and sound judgement.
• Experience delivering joined-up communications approaches across multiple disciplines.
• Experience line managing or developing team members.

Desirable criteria

• Experience representing an organisation in cross-government or cross-sector forums.
• Familiarity with Government Communication Service (GCS) standards or external affairs best practice frameworks.
• Experience contributing to capability development or professional learning initiatives.
• in government communications.

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.