About the job

Job summary

Alongside climate change and biodiversity loss, pollution is the third planetary crisis that we face. Defra’s International Chemicals Team plays a key role in driving forward progress in improving the global management of chemicals to reduce this pressure as we seek to leave the environment in a better state than we found it within a generation.

There is estimated to be around 350,000 chemicals on the market globally and by 2030 this global industry will double in size. Effective management of chemicals is required to ensure that society benefits from these chemicals and minimises any harmful effects on biodiversity, environmental quality and human health.

This requires an international response. Chemicals do not respect borders: they move through environmental processes, via trade, and within products and wastes, making them a truly transboundary issue. Chemicals manufacturing is also shifting to low- and middle-income countries, where regulatory standards may be lower and representing a potential threat to the competitiveness of UK business.

In response to that challenge, we are looking to recruit a senior executive office (SEO) scientist which will be joining a team to deliver a multi-year Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) programme of applied research to tackle the impact of pollution and its root causes, with the aim of reducing climate impacts, halting biodiversity loss and creating improved health outcomes for some of the poorest countries in the world.

Job description

The Environmental Pollution ODA Programme was established in 2021 to work with ODA-eligible countries to manage, mitigate and prevent pollution.

Following a successful scoping year, the programme is now delivering the next phase, a multi-year programme with projects being delivered in two developing countries.

This role will be one of two lead project managers within the fast paced Environmental Pollution ODA Programme.

You can expect your day-to-day work to include, but not be limited to:

• Working closely with policy and evidence colleagues to identify opportunities to develop the programme
• Engaging with wider Defra teams on cross-cutting issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss, highlighting the interlinkages with chemical pollution
• Building and managing effective international collaborative partnerships bilaterally and multilaterally, including through engagement with delivery partners, in-country partners, and other relevant international institutes
• Identifying and monitoring programme risks, issues, assumptions and dependencies. Developing mitigating actions and escalating as appropriate
• Providing guidance and subject matter expertise in relation to the programme to the senior responsible owner, our Deputy Director and policy team leaders
• Completing monthly and quarterly reporting on budget and impacts to feed governance boards at project, programme and portfolio levels
• Supporting delivery to ensure the programme delivers to the agreed benefits within time, cost and quality constraints
• Attending and support programme and other governance boards as needed

You may be called on to travel for work– sometimes long distance.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• A strong interest in the international agenda, and in furthering the UK’s foreign, development and environmental objectives
• Excellent ability to communicate clearly and concisely, including communicating technical subjects to non-specialists and ability explain how work fits into over-arching objectives
• An ability to deliver work at pace to meet challenging deadlines
• An ability to prioritise effectively and to quickly respond to changing demands and priorities
• Readiness to act on initiative and ensure deadlines are met
• Experience of having had to quickly understand specific and complex work challenges
• Evidence that you can identify the key issues and the significant risks that arise from your interpretations
• A track record of having taken an innovative approach to work
• An ability to quickly build good relationships with new people

A degree in a relevant subject (Environmental, International, Science) or a project management qualification (PRINCE2, APM, MSP)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,439, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £10,687 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.

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 250-word statements on each of the following four Behaviours – (1) Delivering at Pace; (2) Communicating and Influencing and; (3) Making Effective Decisions.

You will also be asked to provide a CV and a 500-word statement of suitability, in which you should explain your motivation for the role and how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role. Please refer to the essential criteria, as detailed in the job advert.

Sift 

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace. 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 will be assessed on all of listed behaviours and strength based questions.

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

Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.

All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations.Our current office attendance approach requires 60% attendance in Defra group workplaces or off site meetings with partners and customers. This balance provides thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice. 

Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.

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.

Loan and Fixed Term Appointments

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Project Manager on the Environmental Pollution Programme.  

The post is not permanent. It is time limited due to a fixed funding period or as part of a specific project. The fixed term will end when the funding or the project expires.    

This post will therefore begin from the candidate's start date and end on 31st March 2025.

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.