Principal Business Officer - Interim Office for Environmental Protection

You’ll provide the information, insights and guidance that support a clear corporate strategy

About us

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) is a new public body, which will be the cornerstone of the UK’s environmental governance system following our departure from the EU. From climate change to biodiversity loss, we will hold government to account on its environmental commitments. We will also offer independent oversight and advice on environmental law and other matters relating to the natural environment. 

Until is it legally established as a Non-Departmental Public Body, the Interim OEP will be a division within The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Initial challenges will include developing the OEP strategy and enforcement policy, producing an independent assessment of progress in relation to the government's 25-Year Environment Plan, and determining how the OEP will form and operate.

About the role

As Principal Business Officer, you will work at the heart of the OEP, helping to support, communicate and deliver corporate strategy.  You will ensure our Directors, Senior Leadership Team and Board have the information and insight they need to manage, oversee and deliver the OEP’s key strategic programmes. This will include the corporate risk framework and evaluation of the OEP’s impact and value for money. You will also support the Head of Business Strategy and Planning in developing and co-ordinating the OEP’s corporate strategy and ensuring our programmes of work are aligned to it. You can therefore expect to chair and operate a number of committees and programme delivery boards. Internal and external communication of OEP corporate strategy will also be a key part of your role.

About you

We’re looking for someone with the enthusiasm and flexibility to help us grow and develop this high-profile organisation. Your background could be in the public or private sector, but you’re likely to have experience at a corporate level of an area such as governance, strategy and planning, or organisational performance and risk management.  A proven ability to think critically and write high-quality briefings and strategic reports for a senior decision-making audience is essential. You’ll also have evidence of developing relationships of influence with a wide range of stakeholders, including at senior levels, and working across departments and functions within a large organisation.

Benefits

We aim to support the professional and personal wellbeing of everyone in Defra. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme. We also offer flexible working and a variety of learning and development opportunities.