Summary

We are the public body that looks after England’s historic environment. We champion historic places, helping people understand, value and care for them.

Historic England have a new opportunity for you to become our new Senior Policy Advisor (Environmental).

National salary range:

£36,800 pro-rata

Greater London + salary range:

£39,408 pro-rata

Inner London salary range:

£40,748 pro-rata

What you will be doing

This is a specialist policy post with a particular focus on environmental issues affecting heritage. Whilst being line managed by the Head of Marine & Coastal Heritage, the post will work across all policy areas covered by the Environmental Management Team, principally heritage policy as it relates to climate change, and the rural, marine and coastal environments:

Climate change

Under the Climate Change Act 2008 the UK is committed to reaching Net Zero by 2050, and to ensuring society can prepare for and adapt to current and future effects of climate change. As a result, national policy is developing across all government departments to meet these commitments.

Marine and Coastal

Historic England’s marine and coastal activities encompass heritage in the sea, affected by the sea, or related to the sea. Our advice informs and is informed by a dynamic array of policy areas across government, including UK-wide and international dimensions.

Rural

EU-exit and the nature and climate emergencies have led to a once in 50 year overhaul of environmental protection and associated agricultural supports. Ensuring that heritage is afforded appropriate weighting within government responses (such as the development of the Environmental Land Management scheme, nature recovery and 30 by 30) will be critical

It is vital that Historic England (HE) continues to make the case for the benefits that the historic environment brings to society: from helping to create better places, drive sustainable growth, and improve wellbeing, to reducing carbon emissions and waste. A key purpose of the post is therefore to ensure HE puts forward a persuasive case for the value and potential of the historic environment, to central government and other decision makers, as changes are brought forward.

The post-holder will help to develop HE’s contribution in these areas by horizon-scanning emerging policy developments, assessing their impacts and responding appropriately. As well as responding to relevant consultations this will include writing briefings and analysis. The goal is to reinforce HE’s role as an effective advocate for the role of heritage in environmental policy, as well as the importance and value of heritage more generally. The post-holder will lead on key topic areas, as appropriate and may be called upon to spend a proportion of their time working on other areas of policy development in order to respond to changing priorities

What we are looking for

• A relevant academic and/or professional qualification; and/or significant experience of strategic work relating to heritage and the environment, with particular reference to rural, coastal or marine heritage, or climate change.

• Significant experience of working within a policy, consultancy or advocacy environment.

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to develop evidence-based policy recommendations.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills for a wide range of audiences. This should include a proven record of writing in both technical and non-technical styles.

• The ability to work with a wide range of external partners and stakeholders with both authority and sensitivity.

• An understanding of the challenges facing the historic environment.

Why work for Historic England

We offer a wide benefits package including a competitive pension scheme starting at 26% contributions, a generous 28 days holiday, corporate discounts, free entry into English Heritage sites across the country and development opportunities to ensure you achieve your goals.

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for everyone. Diversity helps us to perform better and attract more people to support our work. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates and candidates with disabilities as they are underrepresented within Historic England at this level.

Historic England want all of our candidates to shine in the recruitment process. Please tell us what we can do to make sure you can show us your very best self. You can contact us by email at ResourcingTeam@Historicengland.org.uk if you have any recruitment queries. 

To ensure a fair and inclusive recruitment process for everyone the use of AI or automated tools is not permitted.

Please click the following link for the full Job Description

https://historicengland.org.uk/content/job-descriptions-hr/senior-policy-adviser-environmental/

Provisional interview date: 29th January 2024.