In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people’s lives. We are responsible for England’s environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.
Our objectives are:
- To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future.
- To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production.
- To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs [1] www.gov.uk.
25 Year Environment Plan - GOV.UK [2] www.gov.uk[3] .
Important Information:
- This is a pipeline advert, not a vacancy for a single defined role
- Engagements will be demand-led and activated only where a requirement arises
- Inclusion in the pipeline does not guarantee future work
- All engagements will be subject to PSR terms, security requirements and agreement of scope
- Contract durations TBD, expected to be between 6 - 12 months
How to Express Interest:
Interested individuals should submit:
- A CV outlining relevant experience and expertise
- Full contact details
- Submissions will be held securely within the PSR system in line with GDPR requirements.
Locations & Working Arrangements:
Roles are primarily aligned to Defra hubs in:
- London
- Bristol
- York
- Newcastle
Hybrid and flexible working arrangements are available. Location flexibility can be agreed where appropriate, depending on the nature of the engagement and delivery requirements.
Overview:
Defra’s Circular Economy Directorate is establishing a contingent talent pipeline of experienced industry and technical specialists to support the design and delivery of priority circular economy and waste reforms.
This pipeline is intended to provide rapid, flexible access to specialist expertise where capability gaps remain following recruitment through primary routes (including secondments and short term appointments), or where targeted input is required at pace.
Being included in the pipeline does not guarantee immediate engagement, but enables Defra to draw on pre qualified expertise as and when specific needs arise.
The Opportunity:
Individuals appointed via this pipeline may be engaged to:
- Provide specialist advice grounded in real world operational and commercial experience
- Support policy development, implementation planning and delivery activity
- Identify delivery risks and advise on practical mitigations
- Engage with industry, regulators, local authorities and other stakeholders
- Translate complex technical, regulatory or market issues into clear policy advice
Engagements may range from short, targeted interventions to more embedded delivery support, depending on the nature of the requirement.
Areas of Expertise:
The Pipeline Advert explicitly invites expressions of interest from candidates with deep specialist expertise in one or more of the following approved areas, reflecting all roles within the Opportunities Pack.
Materials, Products & Resources:
- Plastics and packaging (including PPWR, recyclability, reduction and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR))
- PRN / PERN systems and packaging markets
- Batteries (collection, reuse and recycling)
- Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
- Textiles (design for circularity, reuse and recycling infrastructure)
- Tyres (reuse, recycling, recovery and producer responsibility)
- Vehicles / End of Life Vehicles (ELVs)
Waste Systems, Treatment & Infrastructure:
- Food waste reduction across households and supply chains
- Agricultural and food system waste
- Anaerobic digestion (AD) and composting
- Landfill operations, closure, aftercare and methane capture
- Residual waste infrastructure
Digital, Data & Market Systems:
- Digital Waste Tracking and associated software and vendor ecosystems
- Data systems, reporting and market transparency
Regulation, Enforcement & Compliance:
- Waste crime and fly tipping
- Enforcement models and compliance activity
- Hazardous material classification
- Waste shipment controls and export regulation
Delivery & Change:
- Stakeholder readiness and business change
- Programme delivery and implementation of complex reforms
Skills & Experience:
- Significant, credible experience in their specialist field
- Strong understanding of operational, regulatory and/or commercial realities
- Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams
- Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder engagement skills
- Experience contributing to delivery in complex or evolving systems
Please be aware that these roles can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".
References
Visible links
1. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs
2. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan
3. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan
