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 role is based within the Science Strategy & Profession team within Defra’s Science & Analysis Group, aimed at putting science, analysis and data at the heart of Defra to enable optimal decision-making. The Science Strategy & Profession team is responsible for providing strategic direction and embedding fit-for-purpose science governance to support decision-making, building Defra’s science capability, supporting engagement within and across Defra’s science and engineering community, and embedding effective policies and processes to support the management, publication and accessibility of Defra’s R&D.
This role will be responsible for leading on delivery of business critical research integrity and assurance functions and tools for enabling robust evidence underpinning Defra policy.
Job description
SSO – Science policy and capability: This role provides opportunities to work flexibly across Science Strategy and Profession priorities to ensure we have the science tools, policies and processes to grow Defra’s capability to deliver effective, high quality scientific evidence and advice to Defra policy.
Examples of current work priorities include:
Driving continuous improvement to the science system and functions across Defra derived from Research Integrity Concordat priorities (for example Research Ethics, AI and quality assurance), building relationships across professional bodies, government and organisations to develop best practice.
Strengthening Defra’s approach to ensuring open and accessible publication of Defra-funded R&D outputs and continuous improvement in standards and protocols to optimise the impact of R&D. This includes:
- Running Defra’s Publications Assurance Panel,
- Working in partnership with Defra group organisations to development new approaches/repositories for improving accessibility, impact and value from Defra group R&D.
- working across our science expert communities to improve knowledge sharing tools and exchange.
Providing flexible support to Defra’s R&D Fellowship programme, including shaping the future direction of the programme, supporting advertising and selection processes, and developing the learning and development programme for fellows.
Person specification
You will have experience working with senior level stakeholders to agree and deliver shared objectives, including from academia or across organisations.
A science, engineering or geography background (higher degree, MSc, PhD or equivalent), or equivalent experience (essential).
You will have strong and tested interpersonal skills, including managing relationships with delivery partners and handling complex sensitivities.
You will be able to demonstrate effectiveness at influencing, including with a broad array of stakeholders.
The ability to synthesise information quickly into written and verbal reports; ability to plan, prioritise and balance work across a broad variety of subjects; this would include preparing briefings and advising senior colleagues and partners.
Proven track record of organisational and project management skills and experience leading and working at the interface of policy and science.
You must be able to bring structure and discipline to the work and be able to balance and prioritise across a range of work.
Qualifications
A science, engineering or geography background (higher degree, MSc, PhD or equivalent), or equivalent experience (essential).
Deadline: 24 June 2025
For more information and to apply visit https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi?jcode=1956130
