The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.
The role is part of the Central Science Division (CSD) within the Science and Analysis Group. This sits at the heart of the Department’s science community, supporting the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) and Deputy CSA in all aspects of their work. The Division leads on cross cutting science issues, representing the Defra science community and bringing forward new and emerging science and technology across the Department.
The CSD is a friendly and welcoming team. Our remit reaches across the Defra organisations, providing leadership, guidance, and advice to ensure quality science is the foundation of policy making. The vision of the group is to put science at the heart of the way that Defra works. This needs to be supported by strong leadership and strategic direction and effective partnership working.
Encouraging diverse applicants
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups.
This role is to lead the Systems, Innovation, Net Zero Research and Partnerships team within the Central Science Division (CSD). This exciting, cross-cutting role provides strategic leadership to CSD’s in-house systems research team; builds a more strategic approach to driving technological innovation in Defra’s industry sectors; and oversees the Department’s Net Zero Research programme and Defra’s partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The post holder will be responsible for overseeing the work of around 25 Defra scientists and seconded research fellows within four teams. The team’s remit spans all issues of relevance to Defra Group, as needed, as well as providing support to the Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) on high priority topics.
Key responsibilities include:
Providing leadership, management and overall strategic direction for
* Systems Research: Setting priorities and direction for Defra’s in-house systems research team, which supports the department to navigate complex, cross-cutting and interdependent policy issues by applying systems thinking and foresight research methods.
* Innovation Strategy: Developing and driving forward a strategic approach to boosting innovation in Defra sectors, contributing to economic growth and better environmental outcomes. Key mechanisms include developing new programmes to co-fund R&D on new technologies with industry, as well as exploring Defra’s potential role in boosting access to finance by start-up businesses. It also includes delivery of the £13M Innovation in Environmental Monitoring programme.
* Net Zero Research and UKRI Partnerships: Overseeing Defra’s Net Zero Research programme (£75M over 3 years), providing challenge to embedded science teams to drive forward new research. Ensuring Defra’s interests are represented in cross-Whitehall collaboration on net zero research. Overseeing governance and delivery of the £21M Land Use for Net Zero research programme. Building Defra’s relationship with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and driving forward new collaborative programmes across Defra’s remit.
Across all these areas, the post holder will need to provide leadership: spotting emerging priorities, developing new programmes, delivering research and engaging senior colleagues to ensure that work is relevant and impactful.
Key internal stakeholders include the CSA, policy teams across the business, embedded science teams across Defra groups and central science, analysis and strategy teams. External stakeholders include academics, UKRI, devolved administrations, ALBs and other government departments.
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