Defence Environmental Protection Regulator, Environmental Senior Advisor (Assurance)

Are you passionate about the environment? Do you want to work in a role where you can be an environmental advocate, in one of the largest civil service departments? Are you looking for an opportunity to use and develop your reporting and networking skills?  

We’re seeking an enthusiastic individual with knowledge and experience of environment protection to join the Defence Environment Protection Regulator (DEPR), in the Assurance Function. DEPR has responsibility for assurance, regulation and enforcement, as well as coordination of environmental protection reporting, to deliver a coherent and consolidated view on environmental protection compliance across Defence – encompassing the estate, equipment and activities.

DEPR sits within the Defence Safety Authority (DSA), an independent enabling organisation within the Ministry of Defence. The DSA is responsible for the regulation of Defence Health, Safety and Environmental Protection, operating under a Charter from the Secretary of State for Defence (SofS). The DSA provides independent assurance, directly to the SofS, that the law is complied with and the policy on safety and environmental protection in Defence is being promoted and implemented whilst Defence activities are conducted. This regulation is achieved through proportional and appropriate evidence-based assessment of the activity that supports Defence’s operational imperatives. The DSA hosts Defence regulators across all operating environments, the Defence Accident Investigation Branch, the Defence Themed Assurance Branch and a HQ into a single independent organisation led by a 3* military officer.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Essential skills, experience & qualifications:

• Experience working in the environment sector – but this may be from a variety of roles such as regulation, policy, auditing, consulting, academia or management.

• Formal qualifications (E.g. Undergraduate degree or HNC) in environment or related subject, for example geography, geology, natural science, environmental science, environmental management or similar equivalent

• Experience working in an assurance, auditing, compliance or assessment setting (for example, experience working on environmental impact assessments, compliance assessments or environmental audits). Desirable to have completed Lead Auditor Environment ISO1400, or be willing to achieve in post in first 6 months;
  

Desirable skills, experience & qualifications:

• Experience working in defence or on defence projects is preferable but not essential. If not, the candidate must demonstrate in their personal statement how they have transferable skills they can apply to this role;

• Knowledge and understanding of government process (either at a local or national level) in an environmental context. Particularly beneficial to have experience providing authoritative advice and judgements to senior management or decision makers; and,

• Desirable to be a member of a Chartered environmental institution (E.g. IEMA, CIWEM, CIEEM, IES). Opportunity to acquire or maintain membership of an environmental professional association related to the job role, to be active in continuing professional development.

The Defence Safety Authority and the Civil Service at large are strongly dedicated to promoting equal employment opportunity irrespective of your race, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, civil status, sex, or gender identity. Applications are welcomed and strongly encouraged from candidates of all backgrounds, and we are actively working to establish a diverse workforce across the entire organisation. We are delighted to announce that we are an Equal Opportunities Employer and that we recruit purely based upon the merit of each and every individual applicant. We pride ourselves on our commitment to ensuring that we recruit the very best individuals and obtain a diverse and inclusive viewpoint to our decision making. We can assure you that we search for all types of talent and are striving to make sure that all social groups are successfully represented. We work diligently to eradicate any bias and safeguard every protected status and characteristic as lawfully required under the 2010 Equality Act. Our dedication to promoting diversity is clearly reflected across our organisation and within our vision to foster an inclusive workforce. Defence harnesses the power of difference to deliver capability that safeguards our nation’s security and stability.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Health, Safety & Environmental Protection (HS&EP) Competence Framework, SE 3.4 – Conducting Audits and Inspections

• The MOD Discover My Benefits page lists the full set of benefits. Some of the many benefits you will receive include: 

   

  • Generous Pension Scheme​
  • Flexi-time scheme ​
  • Alternative working practices such as working from home ​
  • 25 days annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service ​
  • Ability to roll over up to 10 days leave per year
  • In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King’s birthday ​
  • Enhanced parental and adoption leave ​
  • Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing ​
  • Learning and development tailored to your role ​
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity 

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Job contact :

• Name : Cindy Levy
• Email : cindy.levy657@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk