Waste Crime Senior Advisor

Description:

The Environment Agency is seeking a Waste Crime Senior Advisor to play a strategic role in combating crime in the waste sector, a high-profile area that attracts significant government, media, and industry attention. This role is ideal for a strategic thinker with strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, who can provide innovative solutions to prevent and tackle waste-related offenses.

The Waste Crime Senior Advisor will:

• Lead the review and enhancement of the Strategy to Reduce Offending in the Waste Sector.

• Collaborate extensively with internal and external stakeholders, including Defra, industry representatives, and operational teams.

• Utilise data and evidence to shape effective strategies and interventions.

• Develop control plans to translate strategy into actionable initiatives.

• Influence policy, legislation, and strategic communications to deter waste crime.

• Provide leadership in strategic communications, public engagement, and information dissemination to foster understanding across diverse audiences.

This is a national role within the Waste Crime team, a small yet high-performing unit in the Waste and Resources Regulation department. The team’s mission is to provide strategic direction, influence policy, and secure resources to reduce crime in the waste sector effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong relationships across dispersed networks.

• Persuade and influence senior audiences and stakeholders to support innovative strategies.

• Challenge existing processes and propose creative, efficient solutions.

• Deliver high-standard work while managing multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

• Shape organisational strategy and ensure it aligns with evidence-based insights.

• Lead on strategic external communications to deter illegal activities within the waste sector.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management abilities.

• Excellent persuasion, communication, and influencing skills.

• Proven track record of leadership, strategic planning, and innovation.

• Familiarity with regulatory and enforcement practices in the waste sector.

• Clear communicator with the ability to work collaboratively across diverse teams.

• Understanding of challenges in tackling waste crime and awareness of related strategic landscapes.

Additional Information

• Hybrid working model with an EA office base location.

• Occasional travel and overnight stays may be required.

• Comprehensive training and development opportunities will be provided.

• Inclusive workplace culture with flexible working patterns, including job sharing.

• Applications will be “blind” assessed using competency-based questions (STAR method recommended).

• Reserve list: Candidates may be held for up to 6 months for alternative roles.