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About the job
Job summary
Are you interested in environmental law and policy, and skilled in analysing the effectiveness of environmental measures and producing high quality reports and advice? Would you like to work in a small, dedicated team that aims to inform and influence how law and policy are developed and applied to protect and improve the environment in England and Northern Ireland? If so, then we want to hear from you.
The Office for Environmental Protection (the OEP) mission is to protect and improve the environment. Created by the Environment Act 2021, our role is to hold Government and public bodies to account. We do this in several ways including reporting on progress against environmental targets, advising on changes to environmental laws and receiving complaints from the public which can lead to us taking enforcement action.
With a total staff of just over 70, we are a dynamic, friendly and flexible organisation covering both England, Northern Ireland, and environmental matters reserved to the UK government. We offer flexible working arrangements, high profile, dynamic work and the chance to have an impact on improving the state of the environment.
To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, visit the OEP website .
The OEP is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra in England and DAERA in Northern Ireland which means it operates independently from Defra and DAERA and is not part of the UK Civil Service. Our employees are public servants.
Job description
The OEP is the cornerstone of our environmental governance system now we have left the EU. It has a unique role in tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time, from climate change to biodiversity loss.
The principal objective of the OEP is to contribute to environmental protection and to the improvement of the natural environment. It will provide independent scrutiny and advice, investigate complaints made through a free to use system about potential breaches of environmental law by government and public authorities, and carry out enforcement action where necessary.
As a Senior Monitoring Environmental Law and Advice Officer in the Regulatory Directorate, you will monitor and report on the implementation of environmental law by government and other public bodies as a core statutory function of the OEP. You will also research and develop aspects of advice to ministers and government departments when changes are proposed to environmental law, or on any other matter related to the natural environment if the OEP is asked by a minister.
You will:
- Be responsible for leading on one or more themes or subject areas related to environmental law or policy that the OEP is monitoring or advising upon during a particular year.
- Provide authoritative, objective scrutiny of environmental legislation (existing, new or amended) conducting information gathering, analysis and research.
- Commission and oversee input from specialist expertise to ensure their findings are robust and evidence based.
- Undertake research and develop advice for ministers and government departments on existing, new and amended environmental law to influence and improve its development and implementation.
- Draft high-quality advice and reports, or sections of reports, with conclusions to reflect your findings, advice and recommendations for improvement.
- Communicate clearly and persuasively to senior leaders in the OEP and with external stakeholders.
- Work with colleagues to publish findings and arrange for relevant reports to be laid before Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly; and
- Work with other members of the OEP in a flexible and agile way, supporting priority areas of work across the OEP as required.
- Identify opportunities and issues concerning scrutiny and advice on environmental law and other matters for discussion with senior OEP managers and the Board, facilitating such discussions.
We are looking for individuals from any background, who have the enthusiasm and flexibility to work with our dynamic team. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, we would love you to get in touch.
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Person specification
Essential Criteria;
These are the essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications that the role holder will need to be able to perform in the role successfully. This will be what the candidate bases their personal statement on and provide evidence against.
- Degree level in a discipline related to the development or implementation of environmental law or policy, or equivalent professional qualifications and experience.
- Experience of implementing, researching, developing, or assessing the impacts or effectiveness of environmental law.
- Experience of impartially analysing evidence, research and drawing sound conclusions and recommendations, in an easy to digest but in-depth style.
- Experience of managing and escalating risks and proven ability to prioritise and coordinate workloads and competing deadlines.
- Experience of solving problems and developing possible new approaches, for example as evidenced by previous involvement in changing and improving processes and identifying new and improved ways of working.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to present findings of analysis and make recommendations in a clear and compelling manner.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues as well as internal and external experts, negotiating and influencing effectively.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Analysis and synthesis: the ability to analyse and synthesis complex material to reach findings and present in a clear, compelling way.
Benefits
Pension
The OEP offers a generous defined benefit, inflation-proof Civil Service Pension which is a valuable part of your total reward package. Upon joining the OEP, staff can opt to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme which, depending on salary, offers a personal contribution rate of between 4.6% and 7.35%, and an employer contribution rate of between 26.6% and 30.3%. There is also the option to join a partnership scheme. Full details and benefits of the options available to you can be found on the Civil Service Pensions Portal.
Leave and Flexible Working
The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants.
Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy.
The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need.
Performance Management and In Year Bonus Scheme
The OEP is committed to promoting a high-performing culture for all employees. Performance and development management is key to developing trusting relationships between managers and employees so that they can be their best and thrive at work. Every individual will have a performance management plan which will be reviewed on a regular basis.
The OEP has a quarterly In-year Bonus Scheme where individuals and/ or teams can be recognised for outstanding one-off contributions and achievements.
Learning and Development
The OEP is a learning organisation and strongly supports the continuous professional development of all employees through both personal and work related study. The OEP will pay for one relevant profession membership per employee to support continuous professional development.
Every employee has access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development. This could be through Civil Service Learning mandatory and voluntary learning, corporate inductions, staff events and welcome days as well as relevant professional qualifications and specific courses.
Staff Wellbeing
Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees. Current initiatives include:
- Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes.
- Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work.
- Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources.
- Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
- Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal.
- Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/ lenses if required for VDU use.
Salary Sacrifice, Discounts and SmartTech Benefits
All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
The OEP uses the Civil Service Success Profile framework which is made up of five elements: Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical. It is strongly recommend you have a look at the Success Profiles to enable you to make the best application possible.
When writing or presenting behaviours, the OEP recommends you use the STAR format to present your answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV detailing qualifications and work history; a 750 word statement of suitability on how you meet the essential experience and skills criteria; and one 250 behaviour statement on the Lead behaviour, Delivering at Pace
The personal statement is a very important part of your application. Review the person specification and essential experience and skills criteria on the job description and outline how you meet it providing specific and relevant examples. These could be from work, volunteering, training or education.
Information Webinars
We are hosting a webinar during the application period to provide potential candidates with the opportunity to meet the team, to find out more about the role and to ask questions. To join the webinar on Tuesday 7 November 2023 at 3pm click on the link 321988 Snr MELA Officer
Sift
After the closing date, your application will be reviewed against the essential sift criteria outlined for the role.
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.
The sift will be conducted and applicants will be notified of the outcome shortly after the closing date. Please note that feedback will not be given to applications at sift stage.
Interview and ID Verification
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on experience, behaviours, strengths and Technical elements.
At interview, you may be required to deliver a presentation or complete an additional exercise. If this is required details will be sent alongside your invite to interview.
Interviews may be held virtually via MS Teams.
Identification
Candidates will need to show ID to interview panel for verification.
Following interview, ID will need to be checked for Right to Work and BPSS security clearance. This will be done by secure online platforms via the Government Recruitment Service.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. All appointments will be made in merit order.
Near Miss Appointments
On occasion candidates may attend interview for the advertised post but will narrowly miss the standard required at interview. The OEP may, where appropriate, consider such candidates for alternative, similar posts at a lower grade.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Location
All OEP roles are based in Worcester and/ or Northern Ireland.
All GB employees will be contractually based at the Worcester office. The OEP embraces a blended working model and will support a combination of office and home working which will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. GB based employees are expected to attend the office in Worcester for a minimum of 2 days a week (pro rata). If GB based, travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to the Worcester office.
Employees based in Northern Ireland will be contractually home based. There will be an expectation of travel to Worcester but this will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. As a guideline, its envisaged that travel to Worcester would be between 4 and 6 times a year, fully funded by the OEP. However, travel will be a 2-way commitment, with other OEP staff members being expected to travel to NI at a similar frequency. Northern Ireland based staff currently have access to a touch down space in Belfast to enable collaborative working.
If the candidate is an internal candidate, they retain the right to their current contractual location unless TUPE restrictions apply. Home working contracts will not be issued for GB based staff as standard.
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 the OEP at recruitment@theoep.org.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 youre 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
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Access NI 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.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please note that the OEP is not a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License Sponsor and is unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to the OEP 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
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : OEP Recruitment Team
- Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : recruitment@theoep.org.uk
Further information
