The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) is a new public body, established to improve and conserve the natural environment. Join us at the start of our journey and you’ll be pivotal in our success as we address the most pressing issues of our time, from climate change to biodiversity loss.

The Role

You’ll play a crucial role in the development, maintenance and application of our approach to investigations. This includes assessing and prioritising cases and launching investigations if a serious breach of environmental law has occurred. As well as this, you’ll help us negotiate with relevant authorities and escalate cases to our OEP board if necessary.

Overall, your work will form part of the cornerstone of our national environmental governance system now we have left the EU. Together with our complaints and enforcement functions, investigations will play a central role in our ability to oversee the implementation of environmental law in England.

Who we’re looking for

You’ll have a relevant degree and significant experience in environmental law, combining this extensive relevant casework. You’ll also have strong analytical skills, excellent communications skills and a flexible, adaptable mindset. We’re also looking for candidates with good research skills and a tenacious approach to their work.

About us

At OEP, you can take advantage of a wide range of benefits including flexible working, generous annual leave, outstanding learning and development, our occupational health service and a huge range of retail discounts.

The OEP will be a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) sponsored by Defra. This means it will operate independently from Defra and will not be part of the UK Civil Service.

If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]

Defra values equality and diversity in employment. We are committed to being an organisation in which fairness and equality of opportunity is central to the approach in business and working relationships, and where the organisational culture reflects and supports these values. In Defra you have the right to a working environment free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimisation regardless of race, ethnic or national origin, age, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, working hours, trade union membership or trade union activity.

Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria in the job specification are guaranteed an interview.

Closing date: 3 October 2021