Farming & Countryside Development and Delivery Manager

Job Description

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for farmers and working collaboratively across government to deliver meaningful change?

Are you an organised and proactive project professional who thrives on building relationships and driving continuous improvement?

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is seeking a Development and Delivery Manager to join its Regulatory Affairs, Compliance and Enforcement (RACE) department.

RACE supports APHA's role as a national regulator, helping to safeguard animal, plant, bee and public health through effective regulation, compliance and enforcement, while maintaining the UK's biosecurity.

We have an interesting opportunity within the RACE department as a Development and Delivery Manager to provide support, development and management to a wide variety of projects across the Defra’s Farming Directorate.

This role supports the delivery of a diverse portfolio of projects across Defra's Farming Directorate and APHA transformation programmes. Working closely with Defra's Farming, Innovation and Regulatory Services team, the postholder will help improve farmer engagement, strengthen collaboration across Defra Arm's-Length Bodies (ALBs), and identify opportunities to improve regulatory services and reduce burdens on farmers and land managers.

We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

• Supporting projects to improve engagement and communication with farmers through written, digital and face-to-face channels
• Producing and analysing management information to support reporting, business planning and performance management
• Supporting the Delivering Sustainable Future transformation programme through customer insight and service improvement activities
• Coordinating joint training, continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities and collaborative initiatives across Defra ALBs
• Promoting and supporting data-sharing initiatives, including the Eyes and Ears app and other tools that improve operational effectiveness
• Contributing to the development and implementation of Defra's Joint Service Improvement Plan
• Representing APHA at regional Field Officer Forums, building relationships and identifying opportunities for improvement and collaboration
• Providing flexible support to wider APHA transformation projects as required

We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate the below skills and experience:

• Experience of working within the farming sector, farmer engagement, or regulatory environments, with an understanding of the challenges facing farmers and land managers.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and enforcement, including awareness of changes and developments within the regulatory landscape.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads, manage competing demands and maintain accuracy.
• Experience of working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders and building effective professional relationships.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present information clearly and adapt approaches to different audiences.
• Strong IT and analytical skills, including the ability to gather, interpret and use information to support decision-making and continuous improvement.
• A proactive and adaptable approach, with the ability to identify risks, solve problems and work effectively in a changing environment.
• A full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel occasionally to attend field…