About the job

Job summary

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.

Natural Environment, Trees & Landscape Directorate (NETL) delivers on the ambition for the environment to be a healthy and a beautiful place to live, work and enjoy. We are a diverse, multi-site team geographically dispersed across the main Defra offices, leading the delivery and policy thinking across a wide range of issues. Our teams deal with a huge range of issues affecting this country’s natural environment. NETL has an inclusive approach to work that recognises the skills, endeavour, needs and wellbeing of all our staff. A range of technologies are used to connect the team as part of our day to day working. 

The Trees and Forestry Division of NETL is looking for an SEO to lead our delivery performance function within the Nature for Climate Fund Programme Management Office.This post is a critical role supporting the Nature for Climate Fund Programme. A £750 million programme to increase tree planting and peat restoration. We are making sure that the right trees are planted in the right places, that trees and woodlands are better protected, that more green jobs are created in the forestry sector and that people have greater access to trees and woodlands. We do this through a series of funds that support the creation and management of woodland including the England Woodland Creation Offer and Woodland Creation Partnerships. Our schemes support traditional methods of tree establishment, as well as natural colonisation, agroforestry and riparian planting providing benefits through carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

Job description

If you enjoy delivering projects, analytically bringing together multiple sources of information to understand delivery positions, interpretation of Data and Management Information (MI), and working with a broad range of stakeholders, this role may be right for you.

The SEO will focus primarily on providing insight and information on projects delivering tree-planting to strengthen programme performance monitoring. You will enable strategic decision making on how to maximise tree-planting by funding the right projects in the right places and prioritising work activity.  You will help ensure we achieve strategic objectives in line with government priorities (such as Net Zero) through analysis of extensive programme data and  collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to provide briefings and insight reports. Translating performance analysis, using the most effective communication approach, for Programme stakeholders, including senior officials, will be an important part of this role.
 
The role provides an opportunity to work with senior leaders across the Nature for Climate Fund, using evidence and insight from both quantitative and qualitative sources to direct strategic decisions and choices. We need people who are comfortable working in multidisciplinary teams, providing their own specialist experience to help use the right data in the right way and continue to grow our analytical capabilities.

Person specification

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Use high-quality delivery data to support decision-making for effective policy decisions and project delivery in a timely fashion; to inform both short and medium term strategic plans
 • Communicate analysis with impact, building effective working relationships with senior policy, operational and delivery colleagues, other analytical professions and relevant stakeholders both across Her Majesty’s Government (HMG) as well as externally
 • Co-ordinate reporting from projects and provide analysis of performance
 • Lead on work to support  data analysis process improvements for the NCF dashboard and the programme’s management information
 • Support the Programme Management Office to communicate and build commitment to a shared vision and sense of purpose
 • Engaging with a wide range of stakeholders internally, externally and across government to accurately report on programme management information, ensuring qualitative and quantitative reporting are aligned and if not using one to inform the other
 • Lead on the provision of all Data & MI reporting obligations by established deadlines throughout the year both bottom up & aggregated, both project delivery data and supporting on project budget data where needed
 • Ensuring the right data is available at the right time, in the right format for all established and agreed responsibilities and that it is clear across the programme
 • Lead on the design, development, formalisation and implementation of Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs), driving change and continuous improvement Line management of an HEO data analyst

Essential criteria
 
This performance & insight analyst role requires skills from multiple disciplines, and as such we will not assess against a singular framework, rather we are looking for an analytical individual with skills in project delivery and data analysis

• Ability to absorb and synthesize large amounts of information quickly into performance insights, using a range of information sources to derive insights and answer performance questions
• You can demonstrate very strong verbal and written communication skills. You can understand how to share insights and key messages derived from analysis to a range of audiences, such as drafting briefings for senior stakeholders
• Data management, manipulation and, analysis, including experience of working with various types of data such as programme management information
• Good Excel skills and experience of using data visualisation software to present data in a clear and compelling way such as PowerBI or a similar software with the ability to learn PowerBI quickly with use of Dax, R or Python or similar data transformation skills
• Clear demonstration of ability and experience of Quality Assurance skills  to tackle and remedy data quality issues and data cleansing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,439, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £10,648 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, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Process

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

• A CV
• 500 word Personal Statement. Your Personal Statement should outline your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section)
• Statements for each of the following behaviours; Seeing the Big Picture & Making Effective Decisions (250 word max per statement)

For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Links – Statement

For guidance on how to construct your behaviour examples, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Links –Behaviours

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted on the Personal Statement and the lead behaviour Seeing the Big Picture. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sifting will take place after the closing date. 

Interview

Candidates invited to interview will be assessed on the Behaviours listed above, Technical Skills and Strengths relevant to the role.

You will be asked to prepare a short presentation, details of which will be issued prior to the interview.

Please note that interviews will be via video using Microsoft Teams and you will need to use your device to access the video link. You will receive a link to join the interview at the appointed time through the email account you provide us with on your application.

Loan and Secondment

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.

The post is a SEO Performance & Insight Analyst within the Forestry Division of NETL.

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 14th November 2025.

Location

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)
 
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.

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.

Near miss

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Defra which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

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.

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

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 2 Marsham Street, 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.

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.