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.

This exciting support role will be split evenly between the Earth Observation Policy Team and the International Science Partnerships Team within the Central Science Division (CSD).

CSD is responsible for science strategy, innovation, futures, earth observation, e-DNA, systems research, expert scientific committees, science partnerships and the science profession in Defra. This requires working across Defra, its agencies and other government departments.

The Earth Observation (EO) Policy Team works in partnership across Defra organisations, Government, academia and industry to promote and increase the innovative use of EO data and applications to improve the evidence base and aid the delivery of Defra’s strategic objectives. The small team delivers this in a number of key ways:

Manage the Defra EO Centre of Excellence (EOCoE), a virtual team of cross-Defra and other bodies supporting the delivery of: the Five Year EOCoE Roadmap; an innovative R&D programme; promotional uptake activities.

Work with Defra policy areas to encourage the use of EO, avoid duplication and advise on other developments.

Coordinate and represent Defra and its organisations input into cross-Government EO and relevant space related activities; international EO programmes and activities.

The International Science Partnerships team coordinates Defra group’s international science partnerships. We work closely with colleagues across Defra group, and with FCDO staff in international posts to identify priority partnerships, engagements, and opportunities. This includes providing a focal point for Horizon Europe participation, coordinating the Chief Scientific Advisor’s international engagements, and working in partnership with specialists in the International Biodiversity and Climate directorate on ODA funded evidence activities including the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate.

Encouraging diverse applicants

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. 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 we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups.

Job description

This role will require the candidate to split 50% of their time across two teams: The Earth Observation Policy team and the International Science Partnerships team, both reside in Defra’s Central Science Division.

The post is primarily to provide administration and programme support to the two teams, with work objectives being a combination of ongoing and bespoke tasks. This busy post offers a variety of work skills to developed and provides insight on the variety of work Defra does.

Person specification

EO Policy Team

• EO Board Working Group – secretariat support
• EO Centre of Excellence – secretariat support 
• Manage the EO Policy Shared Mailbox – daily monitoring of shared mailbox
• Engagement coordinator for the EOCoE – tasks include leading the gathering of case studies and other supporting material from EOCoE members; ensure the EO Pipeline document is kept up to date

International Science Partnership

• Provide administrative support across the team’s international portfolio
• Manage the team shared mailbox and disseminate information as required
• Provide support at interdisciplinary meetings: advance book MS Teams and room booking for meetings; produce agendas; provide meeting support including minute taking; write up minutes / technical notes and actions

Cross Cutting Activities

• SharePoint Site Owner – SharePoint Online
• Comms
• Procurement Support (Possible development opportunity)
• Ad hoc support

Essential Criteria

• High standards of communication skills, able to work across business areas and government agencies with colleagues at all grades and professions
• The ability to plan and prioritise effectively to deliver a quality service and results at pace, with good attention to detail
• Strong collaborator across teams to support the work of the business
• The ability to learn fast and get to grips with an area of expertise quickly
• Self-motivated, self-aware with high inner resilience and calm under pressure
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,470, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £7,416 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 (for reference only), a Personal Statement and Behaviour Statements.

For the personal statement, in no more than 500 words, evidence how you meet the essential criteria for this role.

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

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.

Sifting is likely to be occur w/c 22nd Jan, with interviews likely to take place w/c 5th Jan. These dates are indicative only.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours and Strengths.

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

Interviews are expected to last no longer than 45 minutes.

Interview will be held via video link.

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 maybe 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.

Fixed-Term Appointment

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 Support Officer in the Earth Observation Policy team and the International Science Partnerships team.

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.   

Your responsibilities are outlined above and will include providing administration and programme support to the two teams, with work objectives being a combination of ongoing and bespoke tasks. This busy post offers a variety of work skills to developed and provides insight on the variety of work Defra does.

This post will therefore begin from the candidate's start date and end after 24 months.

Full Time Only

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

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.