We are immersed in an exciting period of change. At the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) our work ranges from supporting the UK’s world-leading food, farming and fishing industries to protecting the environment and providing robust defences against natural threats. Leaving the EU will fundamentally transform the way we trade with other countries, the work we do and how we deliver it. We are embracing this opportunity to negotiate better trade opportunities for the UK, and we are focussed on becoming even more efficient, focused and innovative. Join us, and you will be at the heart of this change – helping us to secure a more sustainable future for the UK.

As one of our new Policy Team Leaders, you will take on an important role in the future of the UK, within one of five directorates in Defra:

•             Marine and Fisheries

•             Animal and Plant Health

•             Food Chain

•             EU and International Trade

•             Environmental Regulations

No matter your assigned area, it will be your job to set priorities, agree targets and allocate responsibilities to your team. You won’t hesitate to act independently and improve ways of working. In fact, you will devise new means of managing and implementing policy, within set budgets and tight timescales.

Taking responsibility for outcomes within your policy area, you will draw together and present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex evidence. Using your exceptional communication capabilities, you will push decision-making to the right level, not allowing bureaucracy and structure to get in the way of innovation or delivery. You will develop deep specialisms on key aspects of your policy or sector, in order to take on highly complex work.

Thanks to your excellent interpersonal skills and high levels of confidence, you will cultivate a strong network of both internal government and external contacts. With your strong influencing skills, you will challenge upwards and broker solutions across organisational boundaries.

Colleagues will find you inspiring, collaborative and equipped with inclusive team leadership skills. Supporting teams through change and uncertainty, you will build capability, resilience, and a high-performance culture. Additionally, your innovative approach and your responsiveness to change will really set you apart.