Senior Policy Advisor – Environment Group (Defra)

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is seeking proactive and motivated individuals to join its Environment Group (EG). This group is at the heart of the UK’s mission to halt nature’s decline, improve air and water quality, and transition to a circular economy. As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will be instrumental in developing high-stakes policies that balance environmental protection with the Government’s growth mission. This is a “once in a generation” opportunity to influence how the UK manages its resources, landscapes, and international climate commitments.

About the Role

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will act as a bridge between scientific evidence, ministerial priorities, and real-world implementation. You will lead specific workstreams—from initial concept and consultation through to legislative change. The role is highly collaborative, requiring you to navigate complex relationships across Whitehall, Devolved Administrations, and the private sector. Whether you are drafting urgent briefings for Ministers or applying project management tools to ensure a policy milestone is met, your work will have a direct, measurable impact on the environment and the economy.

Directorates & Teams

Candidates will be asked to indicate their preference from the following specialized areas:

Strategy, Governance & Climate (SGC): Oversight of the Environmental Improvement Plan, net zero, and climate adaptation.
Environmental Quality, Infrastructure & Planning (EQIP): Focus on clean air, chemicals, and enabling sustainable infrastructure.
Biodiversity, Land Use & Investment (BLI): Habitat restoration, tree planting, and scaling private finance for nature.
International Biodiversity & Climate (IBC): Global ecosystem restoration and international climate negotiations.
Circular Economy (CE): Ending the “throwaway model” and maximizing resource efficiency to drive green growth.
Marine & Fisheries (M&F): Ensuring cleaner, healthier, and biologically diverse seas through sustainable management.

Key Responsibilities

Ministerial Advice: Produce high-quality written briefings and advice for Ministers and Parliament.
Policy Development: Lead the end-to-end policy lifecycle, including public consultations and drafting new legislation.
Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain influential relationships with businesses, NGOs, and other government departments.
Evidence-Based Action: Work with analysts and evidence teams to identify data gaps and ensure policy is scientifically robust.
Project Leadership: Apply project management techniques to manage risks, set milestones, and ensure cross-departmental alignment.
Management: Provide leadership and potential line management to junior team members.

Requirements & Skills (Essential Criteria)

Analytical Rigor: Experience using information analysis to develop options for senior decision-makers.
Collaborative Influence: Evidence of working confidently with multiple stakeholders to achieve common goals.
Communication Excellence: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, tailored for technical and non-technical audiences.
Strategic Judgement: Ability to identify links between different work areas and align them with wider organizational objectives.
Delivery at Pace: Proven ability to manage competing deadlines and maintain sound communication under pressure.

Candidate Drop-In Sessions

Defra is hosting Microsoft Teams sessions to answer questions about the role:

Session 1: Wednesday 11 February 2026 | 12:00pm – 12:45pm
Session 2: Wednesday 18 February 2026 | 6:00pm – 6:45pm

Note: To maintain privacy, please join as a “guest” rather than using a personal Teams account.

Benefits & Working Style

Hybrid & Flexible: Teams work flexibly, with successful candidates expected to adapt to changing priorities across directorates.
Inclusive Culture: A strong commitment to diversity, with an emphasis on creating a sense of belonging for staff from all backgrounds.
Pension: Access to the competitive Civil Service pension scheme.

To apply for this job please visit restless.co.uk.