Contract Officer - 32074

Job Description We’re fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share. The Environment Agency strategy is to protect and enhance nature and leave the nation’s natural environment in a better state than we inherited it. We have committed to being a net zero organisation and Defra Group Fleet Services (DGFS) is responsible for leading the fleet transition to achieving this. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a team of fleet specialists to support delivery of these ambitious fleet targets and drive tangible change. You will work within a team of contract professionals, delivering a varied work programme of purchase and service contracts on behalf of the Environment Agency and our Defra Partners. You will work with colleagues across the organisation identifying business needs, setting contract strategy, and leading tender processes including award of contracts. As a member of the Contracts, Performance & Risk Team, you will work with contract managers overseeing the contracts through the whole lifecycle, working with suppliers to reduce their environmental footprint, maintain a cost-effective fleet, to deliver our legal and health & safety responsibilities. So excellent relationship management and influencing skills are critical to the role. Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate. Please see the candidate pack for more on how you will support with this. The team Defra Group Fleet Services (DGFS) is a national team providing a collaborative fleet service across the Defra group, we are part of the Strategy, Transformation and Assurance Directorate. The Contracts, Performance & Risk Team collaborate with other parts of the fleet team to develop the contract requirement, determine and award the required contracts and contract management of supplier performance to ensure operational delivery of services. The role will report to the Fleet Manager (Contract Performance).

Experience/skills Required We are looking for someone who enjoys working with contracts and has good commercial acumen. This would be a great opportunity for anyone wishing to utilise and develop their interpersonal and analytical skills. You should: have excellent communication and organisational skills. have the ability to collaborate with colleagues across the organisation and our suppliers. be able to influence and persuade both internal and external stakeholders. be a forward thinker and able to identify both opportunities and risks. Experience of the procurement processes within Defra would be desirable.

Contact and additional information As part of a national team the location is flexible. You may be required to work in EA offices and attend national meetings, possibly with some overnight stays. You'll understand and be comfortable with the challenges of remote working and management. The post is Full Time but requests for other work patterns will be considered. Interviews are expected to take place via MS Teams week during mid to late November 2025. Please contact Jacqui Date (Fleet Manager) via email on Jacqui.date@environment-agency.gov.uk (Monday to Thursday) for more information or to arrange an informal discussion.

Competence 1 Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality Description In no more than 250 words, please give an example of where you have identified the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods and processes but without compromising quality or accuracy. Please note we do not assess CVs. It is your answer given to this question that will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. We encourage you to refer to our "EA capability dictionary".

Competence 2 Influences and Persuades Others Description In no more than 250 words, please give an example of where you have presented a case in a convincing and attractive way that has won people over, encouraging them to follow plans willingly; often succeeding where logic and reason alone would fail. Please note we do not assess CVs. It is your answer given to this question that will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. We encourage you to refer to our "EA capability dictionary".

Competence 3 Takes Decisions and Solves Problems Description In no more than 250 words, please give an example of where you have found and delivered a solution to a problem, by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions. Please note we do not assess CVs. It is your answer given to this question that will be used for interview selection so ensure you draw out your skills and experience in your response. We encourage you to refer to our "EA capability dictionary".

Role specific license requirements Full UK Driving Licence 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.