Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Deputy Director for Clean Water and Public Health
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Location
This role can be based at any main Defra Hub – including London, Birmingham, Bristol, York, Newcastle.
- Please note – As part of this job role, there will be regular travel to London for Ministerial in person meetings, and occasional travel across England to visit projects/stakeholders
Job summary
The post holder will lead a high-profile national agenda at the intersection of environmental protection and public health, central to Defra’s outcome of “Clean Rivers, Lakes and Seas”. As Deputy Director, you will set strategic direction and shape policy development across water quality and public health, bringing together a coherent, innovative long-term approach to reducing pollution and protecting communities across England.
Job description
You will be accountable for overseeing delivery against statutory targets to reduce pollution from wastewater, metal mines and agricultural sources, and the targets set out in our Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, ensuring government meets ambitious environmental commitments.
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This is a pivotal leadership role offering the opportunity to apply strategic judgement, strong delivery focus and the ability to empower and inspire multidisciplinary teams to deliver meaningful outcomes for people and the environment.
Key responsibilities of the role will include:
- Leadership of a broad Water Quality and Public Health portfolio, including safe drinking water, bathing waters and enforcement policy
- Provide clear, trusted and evidence-based advice to ministers on high-profile issues
- Developing strong, system-wide relationships with Defra colleagues, regulators, partners across government and stakeholders to deliver outcomes
- Driving key reforms to strengthen the regulatory framework, including measures to reduce water pollution from agriculture
- Supporting and enabling teams working on drainage and wastewater policy, including sustainable drainage systems and delivery of the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan
Person specification
Essential Criteria
As part of the application process, candidates are asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement (no more than 1000 words) on how your relevant skills and experience meet the essential criteria.
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- Outstanding strategic analysis – with the ability to assess, shape and articulate complex system-level reform.
- Policy leadership and delivery: Experience of developing and implementing complex policy, translating strategic priorities into tangible outcomes.
- Evidence and innovation: Strong track record of using evidence and analysis to inform decisions and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.
- System leadership: Ability to influence and deliver across boundaries and through partnerships, aligning diverse stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
- Inclusive leadership: Experience of building, leading and developing diverse, high-performing teams and fostering an inclusive culture.
- Leading through ambiguity: Strong judgement and resilience, with the ability to provide clarity, pace and delivery focus in uncertain and fast-changing environments.
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