Planning Assistant

Do you enjoy working with scientific information, experts, universities, and research centres to understand the latest environmental evidence and trends? Can you analyse and summarise complex evidence and information and prepare clear, accessible reports for Ministers, Parliament, and the public? If so, then we want to hear from you. The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) mission is to protect and restore the natural environment. Created by the Environment Act 2021, our role is to hold Government and public bodies to account, to make sure the environment is improved. We do this in several ways, including reporting on progress against environmental plans, goals and targets, advising on changes to environmental laws and receiving complaints from the public, which can lead to us taking enforcement action., The Insights Directorate leads on progressing the OEP's strategic objective of holding government to account for delivery of environmental goals and targets, and its plans for environmental improvement. Through our monitoring and reporting, we analyse and comment on government's progress. We make recommendations on how progress could be improved across the goals, targets and plans. We also provide commentary and advice on the adequacy of environmental monitoring. The role-holder will support the directorate in performing its full range of key functions including:

• Monitoring, critically assessing, and reporting on government's progress in improving the natural environment in accordance with the Environmental Improvement Plans in England and in Northern Ireland.
• Development and successful running of the organisation's science evidence base and capability.
• Analytical input to executive briefings, advice to ministers and other statutory monitoring and reporting.
This could include supporting across several of the following activities:
• Publish a report to independently assess the government's progress in delivering its environmental improvement plan and against environmental targets for England, making recommendations for improvement.
• Publish a report to independently assess the Northern Ireland executive's environmental improvement plan, when in place.
• Provide and publish advice to the Northern Ireland and UK governments on their Environmental Improvement Plans, goals and targets, as they are adopted or revised.
• Evaluate and report on the UK government's approach to its required test of whether environmental targets will significantly improve the natural environment in England.
• Scrutinise government's progress in areas the OEP has identified as priorities, this year in nature, water and environmental governance as well as developing our work on waste, chemicals, the marine environment and soils.
• Develop and deliver a research programme to identify critical gaps in evidence and understanding of the natural environment, policy, and delivery plans.
• Support and develop our college of independent experts.
• Develop insights in delivering sustained environmental improvement across the marine, terrestrial, freshwater and air environments.
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. The OEP work on a wide variety of issues at any given time, and we are looking for people who are be able to work flexibly across multiple work areas, and who have the enthusiasm to help us grow as an organization. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, we would love you to get in touch.

There is no better place to work in London than Hackney; we have great pride in our Borough, our communities, and our services. Hackney is one of London's most vibrant and diverse boroughs. It's one of the most sought-after areas to live in London with good schools, parks, and local amenities, as well as great transport links and vibrant and diverse communities., This role is in the OEP's Insights Directorate which is the analytical centre of the organisation. The scope of our work is broad and the OEP's priority areas over the next three years are improving nature, clean water and effective governance; as well as developing our work on waste, chemicals, the marine environment and soils. With a total staff of just over 70, we are a dynamic, friendly and flexible organisation covering both England and Northern Ireland, and environmental matters reserved to the UK government. We offer flexible working arrangements, high profile, dynamic work and the chance to have an impact on improving the state of the environment. To find out more about the OEP, what we do, who we are and our current work, visit the OEP website. The OEP is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra which means it operates independently from Defra and is not part of the UK Civil Service. Our employees are public servants., All OEP roles are based in Worcester and/ or Northern Ireland. This role are based in either Northern Ireland or Worcester. All GB employees will be contractually based at the Worcester office. The OEP embraces a blended working model and supports a combination of office and home working which will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. Our current office attendance approach requires 40% attendance in one of the OEP offices or on official OEP business at offsite meetings with partners and customers. This approach enables thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice. If GB based, travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to the Worcester office. Employees based in Northern Ireland will be contractually home based. There will be an expectation of travel to Worcester but this will be dependent on business need and individual circumstances. As a guideline, it's envisaged that travel to Worcester would be between 4 and 6 times a year, fully funded by the OEP. However, travel will be a 2-way commitment, with other OEP staff members being expected to travel to NI at a similar frequency. Northern Ireland based staff currently have access to a touch down space in Belfast to enable collaborative working. Criminal Record Check In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service or Access NI on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. Visa Sponsorship Statement Please note that the OEP is not a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License Sponsor and is unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Alongside your salary of £31,863, Office for Environmental Protection contributes £8,603 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Leave and Flexible Working The OEP offers 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days over 5 years for all new entrants. Additional paid leave is available where necessary to cater for a variety of situations including, but not limited to, family-related leave, volunteering days, exam and study leave, public duties and trade union activities. In addition, we offer a generous enhanced maternity leave, parental leave and shared parental leave policy. The OEP is supportive of flexible working and has a flexible working policy to allow for variations in individuals working hours where this is compatible with business need. Performance Management and In Year Bonus Scheme The OEP is committed to promoting a high-performing culture for all employees. Performance and development management is key to developing trusting relationships between managers and employees so that they can be their best and thrive at work. Every individual will have a performance management plan which will be reviewed on a regular basis. The OEP has a quarterly 'In-year Bonus Scheme' where individuals and/or teams can be recognised for outstanding one-off contributions and achievements. Learning and Development The OEP is a learning organisation and strongly supports the continuous professional development of all employees through both personal and work related study. The OEP will pay for one relevant profession membership per employee to support continuous professional development. Every employee has access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development. This could be through Civil Service Learning mandatory and voluntary learning, corporate inductions, staff events and welcome days as well as relevant professional qualifications and specific courses. Staff Wellbeing Staff wellbeing is extremely important and the OEP strives to provide access to numerous resources to aid the wellbeing of its employees. Current initiatives include:
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing free and confidential 24/7 telephone advice and guidance to support employees with both personal and employment issues. This may include personal wellbeing, career development or legal matters such as landlord/tenant disputes.
• Access to an Occupational Health Service to provide a range of support service to help with the way you feel at work. Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders and wider Defra Group mental health first aid network and resources. Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
• Access to a Financial Wellbeing Portal. Free eye tests and a contribution to glasses/lenses if required for VDU use.
Salary Sacrifice, Discounts and SmartTech Benefits All employees have access to the STaR, Reward Gateway an online platform providing access to hundreds of discounts, offers and cashback options with well-known retailers. They offer a SmartTech scheme, a Cash Healthcare plan and numerous other benefits and services.