About the job

Job summary

The Collections and Packaging Reforms Programme in Defra has the main goal of making sure that the products we buy and use get disposed of responsibly and, wherever possible, get turned back into useful materials and products again. This is at the heart of what we do, in particular, this is something that touches all our daily lives – it protects the food we eat, allows the products we buy to reach us safely and ensures that perishable goods have a long shelf-life.  

The UK government committed, in its 25 Year Environment Plan, to reform producer responsibility systems (including packaging waste regulations) to incentivise producers to take greater responsibility for the environmental impacts of their products. This includes the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR), which will move the cost of dealing with packaging waste away from local taxpayers, and onto the packaging producers, applying the ‘polluter-pays principle’). This will encourage producers to reduce their use of packaging and use packaging which is easier to recycle.  

The pEPR policy team consists of 3 teams led by Grade 7’s overseeing delivery of the current packaging producer responsibility regime; delivery of the three sets of secondary regulations required for the introduction of the new pEPR regime in 2024 and development of policy for its future phases.  The team also works closely and advises wider delivery teams (digital, evidence, stakeholder comms and the work of the scheme administrator) on the policy objectives for pEPR and the regulatory framework.  

Defra is an engaging, collaborative and rewarding place to work, where you will be able to see the real value in what is delivered and notice tangible impacts in the wider world. The team attaches importance to how we do things – values, learning and development, and rewarding success – as well as what we do. It is demanding, but exhilarating and exciting, and you will play a key role in implementing policies that will transform the approach to packaging in the UK.  

We are looking to a recruit senior leader who is able to build a high performing, collaborative and integrated team.

Job description

About the Candidate:

• • Work collaboratively as an active member of the CPR Programme’s SLT to support delivery of a high priority and complex GMPP Programme
  • Lead 3 G7-led teams to finalise the regulations, policy approach to enable delivery of pEPR in 2024
  • Work closely with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations to finalise three sets of UK-wide EPR regulations; and support the passage through UK parliament, working closely with Ministers and stakeholders 
  • Lead the policy development for further phases of pEPR; including development of policy options for introduction of pEPR payments for packaging waste used by businesses and development of a consultation on approaches to incentivise greater re-use and re-fill of packaging
  • Lead policy for determining packaging producer payments for managing waste in public street bins and implementation of a disposable cup takeback scheme, establishing the infrastructure and arrangements needed to allow disposable cups to be collected and recycled 
  • Oversight of the current producer responsibility regime, working closely with the Environment Agency and the Advisory Committee on Packaging to support delivery of packaging recycling targets and to prepare for transition to the new regime
  • Lead work to establish the pEPR Scheme Administrator, including the finalisation of the organisational design and governance structures

Person specification

• An experienced senior leader, able to support and develop staff to deliver to ambitious timescales whilst prioritising wellbeing 
• Experience of policy development, including development of regulation 
• Able to manage competing demands, including responding to short-term issues whilst maintaining progress on overall delivery timescales
• Stong communication skills, with the ablity to communicate complex issues to a range of audiences, including senior stakeholders.  Experience of working closely with Ministers  
• Resilience and adaptability, particularly when working in an ambiguous and fast-paced environment
• An ability to collaborate and work well with others on shared goals
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and respond to changing demands with the confidence to take quick decisions without compromising the quality of work

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £62,605, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £16,903 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Application Process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• A CV detailing your career history (Including any relevant qualifications. Your CV will be used for information only)
• Four 250 word Behaviour statements
• 750 word personal statement. You should use this to explain how your skills and experience make you suitable for the role. Please refer to the person specification, as detailed in the job advert

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

The selected behaviours are: 

- Leadership

- Seeing the big picture

- Communicating and influencing

- Delivering at pace

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement. 

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates are to be confirmed.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviours listed and experience relevant to the role.

You will be assessed at interview on the following behaviours: 

- Leadership

- Seeing the big picture

- Communicating and influencing

- Delivering at pace

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

We will hold all interviews remotely via telephone or video.

Location

Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Candidates applying for these roles will be based at one of the Defra hubs as advertised.  

For information, our core Defra hub locations are:

• York – the Kings Pool
• Newcastle – Lancaster House
• Bristol – Horizon House (Please note that space at this office is limited and it may not be possible for all Policy roles to be recruited to this location)
• London – 2 Marsham Street

As part of the pre-employment process, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

Where the location is 'National' the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Salary 

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. 

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Higher Security Clearance 

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer. 

Childcare Vouchers 

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.