Environment Agency
Specialist - Portfolio Risk Management - 35968
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Job Description
We're looking for a Portfolio Risk Management Advisor to help shape how risk management is delivered across the FCRM Portfolio, Programme and Projects.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence risk management at strategic level, working across a diverse portfolio of programmes and projects that reduce flood and coastal erosion risk across England.
You will lead on identification, assessment and analysis of new and emerging portfolio risks, ensuring that risk information supports effective decision-making and provides meaningful insight to senior leaders. Through your expertise, you'll help strengthen risk maturity, improve consistency of approach and support continuous development of risk management practices across the portfolio.
Working closely with programme teams, portfolio leaders and senior stakeholders, you'll provide expert advice, challenge and assurance to ensure risks and opportunities are understood, managed and escalated appropriately.
Your key responsibilities include:
- Leading the identification and analysis of portfolio-level risks and emerging threats;
- Developing and embedding effective portfolio, programme and project risk management approaches;
- Providing expert risk management advice and guidance to programme and project teams;
- Supporting governance and assurance activities through robust risk analysis and reporting;
- Driving improvements in risk management capability, tools, processes and ways of working;
- Building strong relationships across the FCRM portfolio to promote a positive, proactive risk culture;
This role offers opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, shape future approaches to portfolio risk management and make meaningful contributions to successful delivery of nationally important flood and coastal risk management investment.
Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when the need arises. Having an incident role is an essential part of working for the Environment Agency and an active way to support communities and prevent harm to the environment. Further information can be found within your candidate pack.
The team
We are the analytical engine driving the Environment Agency’s investment success. Sitting within Portfolio Insights and Reporting, our team transforms complex risk management into strategic clarity. We don't just track data—we provide the critical assurance and vital analysis that safeguards funding. By steering the FCRM portfolio, we directly protect communities and the environment, ensuring every project delivers massive real-world impact.
Experience/skills Required
We want an experienced professional to join our collaborative team. If you bring a solid foundation in risk management, we will support you with the rest.
Your skills and experience:
- P3 Risk Foundation: Practical experience in portfolio, programme, or project risk management.
- Strategic Thinking: Comfort identifying and navigating complex or emerging risks.
- Clear Communicator: Ability to translate data into straightforward reports, presentations, and insights for senior leaders.
- Constructive Influencer: Confidence to respectfully challenge ideas and guide decision-making using evidence.
- Relationship Builder: A natural collaborator who enjoys working across different teams to champion a proactive risk culture.
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If you are analytical, love problem-solving, and want to make a real-world impact, we would love to hear from you.
Contact and additional information
Benefits include generous pension provision and leave entitlement. Our flexible working supports a healthy work/life balance and offers numerous choices to accommodate the demands that personal commitments may present. Excellent training and learning opportunities are available, including personal and professional development.
Base location can be flexible with occasional travel to London or Birmingham for in person meetings.
Interviews to take place w/c 6th October 2026.
For further information please contact: Tracey Hartley (tracey.hartley@environment-agency.gov.uk) or Rebeca Cartwright (rebeca.cartwright@environment-agency.gov.uk)
Competence 1
Influences and Persuades Others
Description
When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.
CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.
Question: Describe an occasion when you needed to influence stakeholders to take action on a risk, issue or assurance finding.
Explain the situation, the stakeholders involved, how you presented your case, how you managed any resistance, and the result of your intervention.
PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift using this lead capability may be conducted. Successful candidates will then proceed to a full sift or directly to assessment/interview.
Competence 2
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.
CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.
Question: Tell us about a time when you identified a significant risk, issue or problem that could have affected the successful delivery of a programme, portfolio or project.
Describe how you analysed the available information, assessed the potential impact, developed options, and recommended or implemented a solution. What was the outcome and what did you learn?
PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.
Competence 3
Shapes organisational approach & delivery
Description
When providing evidence for competencies within your application, please give examples of how you clearly demonstrate these either within the context of this role or as transferable skills.
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CVs or other documents attached to your application will not be assessed for selection.
Question: Please provide an example of when you introduced or influenced a significant improvement that enhanced organisational performance, decision-making or delivery.
Describe the situation, your role, how you engaged stakeholders, the actions you took and the impact achieved.
PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may consider using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when formulating your answer to the question.
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls. Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the Civil Service Careers website. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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