About the job

Job summary

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. 

The objective of the Marine and Fisheries Directorate is to ensure our seas are cleaner, healthier, safer, more productive, and biologically diverse. This means protecting and improving the marine environment, both in the UK and internationally, and managing our diverse range of fisheries sustainably. Now that we have left the EU it provides the opportunity to improve how we manage our seas, whilst enabling marine, fisheries, and seafood businesses to thrive and develop. 
 
We recruit by merit based on fair and open competition, we embrace diversity and promote equality of opportunity, and we are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. There is a disability confident scheme (DCS) for people with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. 
 
We are inclusive: 
We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible and recognise how important inclusivity is to achieve the best outcomes. We hope to attract applications from all underrepresented groups. 
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation

Job description

What will I be doing?

We are recruiting two roles, based in the External Negotiations and Trade division or Defra’s Marine and Fisheries Directorate in Defra’s Marine and Fisheries Directorate; a complex, high profile and fast paced policy area, with a national and international profile. We are looking for a dynamic and versatile policy leader to deliver Defra’s priorities on labour in fishing and seafood processing sectors and growing UK seafood exports, control and enforcement of Fishing Vessels and combatting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing. 

Some of the activity that this role will be delivering includes:  

Head of Seafood Promotion & Labour 

Working across multiple policy teams, other government departments, external stakeholders, ALBs and with the Devolved Administrations – your role will be to lead work on access to labour in the seafood sector. This is a key issue for fishing & seafood processing businesses and an area that has considerable interest from Ministers and across government.   

The successful candidate will also lead work to grow UK seafood markets domestically and internationally.  You will be responsible for the delivery of a £1m fund to diversify UK seafood away from EU markets, and through close collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Seafish, the DAs, and industry in establishing and delivering a strong presence at international seafood expos and events (Spain, US, Japan and China). You will also need to Identify opportunities for growing the market share of UK caught fish in the domestic, UK market.  

Managing a new team of two SEOs and two HEOs, the role requires strong leadership, with policy delivery dependent on the ability to influence outcomes across government and stakeholders in order to deliver Defra’s policy objectives is essential.   

If you are looking to build your policy and strategic planning skills and experience in a nationally significant work area; and deliver real outcomes and benefits for communities and businesses, then this is the job for you. 

Control and Enforcement and IUU Fishing  

Under the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023, tackling Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing (IUU) and overfishing are priorities for the UK. Control and enforcement measures in UK waters enable us to manage our fisheries sustainably and protect our marine environment.   

This is a new role in this high-profile area with significant political and media attention. You will work across Government and internationally to develop, negotiate and agree measures to control and enforce effective fisheries management measures and policies to tackle IUU fishing domestically and internationally.  

 You will manage a small team and work closely across the Directorate and especially closely with the existing team leaders on Control and Enforcement and IUU Fishing.   

The candidate must be willing to undertake domestic and international travel and potentially some unsociable hours if attending international negotiations.  

Person specification

The role offers an exciting opportunity to work on a range of demanding and but rewarding policy areas. This is a high-profile area with significant exposure to senior officials, Ministers, industry leaders, stakeholders and Whitehall working.  It blends complex and technical policy issues, challenging timescales with a real focus on delivering tangible outcomes. 

We are looking for someone with an interest in marine / fisheries policy, who has:  

• Experience of building effective partnerships across teams and with other government departments and stakeholders, and of communicating compellingly and tactically (and with non-specialists).  
• Experience of working with Ministers and senior colleagues, with excellent written and oral briefing skills.  
• A proactive and energetic approach, with an ability to manage a complex portfolio, sometimes at pace, while also thinking strategically about future opportunities.  
• Resilient leadership skills, with the ability to build a strong team that can balance expertise on detail while understanding the wider context.  
• Political acumen with the ability to investigate complex issues and solve tricky problems  
• Be an experienced, caring and inclusive leader who has a strong track record in developing themselves and their teams and has Demonstrated commitment to corporate activities 
• Experience working with experts (legal, scientific, analytical) to develop and deliver policy.  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £52,120, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £14,072 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, Strengths and Experience.

Application Process 

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement, and behaviour statements.   

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

Sift  

Should many applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.   

Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.  

Interview 

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you may be assessed on behaviours, strengths, and experience.  

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed. 

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, 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.

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.

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

Reserve List 

A reserve list will be held from which further appointments can be made. Should candidates prove unsuccessful at passing the board at the grade advertised but have the skills required for a similar role at a lower grade we may approach the candidate with details of other roles of a lower grade.  

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 maybe carried out.  

To process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognize in exceptional circumstance 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-Employment.Checks@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.

NSV

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

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.