Job Summary
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. The environment, food production, and farming practices increasingly occupy centre stage in public and policy debates.
About The Environment Strategy Directorate
In the Environment Strategy Directorate we sit at the heart of the Environment, Rural and Marine Group, delivering on the ambition for the environment to be a healthy and a beautiful place to live, work and enjoy. We are a diverse, multi-site team leading the delivery and policy thinking across a wide range of issues. Our teams are focused on the 25 Year Environment Plan, Land Use, Rural Policy, Green Finance, Climate Adaptation and Net Zero, and Environment Science and Analysis.
Environment Strategy has an inclusive approach to work that recognises the skills, endeavour, needs and well-being of all our staff. This is supported by excellent staff survey scores in the Directorate.
About Environment Science And Analysis
Environment Science and Analysis (ESA) is a multi-disciplinary team of around 40 statisticians, social researchers, economists, natural scientists, data engineers, and spatial data scientists based in Environmental Strategy Directorate.
As well as working across Environment Strategy, we also work across Natural Environment, Trees and Landscapes Directorate – providing the Lead Analytical Function for both directorates.
We lead on environmental analysis for Defra by undertaking high quality cross-cutting analysis and evidence, for example:
- Ensuring the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment responds to policy need;
- Production of official environment statistics and indicators, including for the 25 Year Environment Plan;
- Producing the evidence base for valuing our natural capital (Enabling a Natural Capital Approach);
- Leading on spatial data science with a focus on land-use and land change;
- Managing the natural environment and rural research programme;
- Providing cross-cutting social research and leading evaluations;
- Providing professional leadership to embedded evidence specialists across Environment Strategy and Natural Environment, Trees and Landscapes.
Defra is dedicated to promoting equality and valuing diversity. We have strong staff networks and the department places significant emphasis on talent programmes that help everyone to achieve their full potential. The Civil Service as a whole is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation. Your personal qualities will be as important as your professional experience; and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you believe you have the skills and qualities we are looking for, then we would like to hear from you.
The Defra group proudly supports flexible working. New Defra employees will be contractually based in one of our policy hubs – Bristol, London, Newcastle or York and you will be expected to spend a minimum of 2-3 days a week working from an office under our blended model of office and home working. Applicants currently based at another non-hub Defra group office are invited to discuss possible working locations with the jobholder.
Job Description
Defra has an ambitious remit to improve the exploitation of data held across the organisation to transform decision-making in environmental policy making. This role will lead development of data products, analysis and modelling that cut across Defra’s environmental policy priorities, such as the Environment Act and related targets, the 25 Year Environment Plan and the Land Use Framework.
Your role reports to a G6 Head of Spatial Analysis and Data Science alongside G7 led teams working on data engineering and dashboarding, and spatial analysis of agri-environmental programmes. ESA’s Deputy Director is the Defra Group strategic lead for the Data Science Centre of Excellence and the cross-Government Head of Geography. The Spatial Data Science team works flexibly giving you an opportunity to experience a range of projects and problems across the unit.
In Delivering This Role You Will Be
- Personally responsible for maintaining and developing spatial models which inform land use policies and provide an evidence base for the Department’s Land Use Framework.
- Leading spatial analysis on environmental questions that are particularly concerned with the collation, analysis and interpretation of geospatial data. For example, on nutrient pollution, environmental indicators and targets and targeting agri-environmental schemes.
- Working with Defra policy leads to deliver spatial data science solutions that employ novel data sources or draw new insights from data to enhance the evidence base for Defra’s environment policies.
- Managing a team, which includes an SEO data scientist and an EO apprentice, overseeing their development, performance and success.
- Providing professional leadership in spatial data science across the organisation. For example, to promote the use of new geospatial tools and approaches to Data Analysis and Science Hub (DASH), or to advocate our spatial data science with the Geospatial Commission and the analytical professions.
Person specification
We would like to hear from you if you have the following essential experience:
- Technical knowledge in Python and either QGIS or ArcGIS.
- Significant experience applying spatial analysis or spatial data science skills to support the design and analysis of environmental policy or its delivery.
- Capability for communicating complex geospatial analysis to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Aptitude to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary agile team to deliver high-quality and policy-relevant analysis often to tight timescales.
- The ability to lead the development of a positive, supportive team culture that develops professional and technical expertise.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical Skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Python, GIS, spatial analysis / data science
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Blended working
Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.
Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.