Policy sits across the entire Defra Group. Whichever area you join, you will play an active part in developing and delivering our priorities for EU Exit.
While it is not essential that you are already working in policy, what is important is your commitment to a better future. Whatever your experience, you must be passionate about making the UK a great place to live.
We are looking for people with a specific interest in farming and food from land or sea, or the countryside, rural communities, the environment, and even EU exit. Any policies you influence at Defra could be life-changing for the UK, and they may very well be career-defining for you.
Explore where you could join us, below.
Animal and Plant Health Directorate
This directorate works closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to protect animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy. Our policy work focuses on ensuring a functioning UK trade system, protecting UK biosecurity against pest and disease outbreaks, promoting exports by building on our excellent reputation for animal welfare, and maintaining public confidence in the security of animal and plant products.
The Environmental Regulation Directorate
From water and air quality, to waste and resources, chemicals and pesticides, biodiversity and wildlife and beyond, we cover all kinds of policy areas. By developing policies spanning law and regulatory frameworks, and trade with the EU and the wider world through relationships across governments, we aim to create a cleaner, healthier environment.
The EU Exit Overview Directorate
Analysing likely future scenarios and ensuring the integrity of approaches to EU Exit across Defra, this team is instrumental in removing uncertainty, reducing risk and securing opportunities. Our range of policy work includes prioritising Defra’s policy portfolio, providing strategic insight to domestic readiness preparations, supporting senior leaders and championing Defra’s priorities.
The Food Chain Directorate
The agri-food sector is critical for the economy and environment, and it affects everyone in the country. Here, we are focused on ensuring the continued supply of food and drink, and making sure our domestic industry remains competitive after the UK exits the EU. From accessing the right skills, to supporting science and innovation, we protect consumers and help the industry grow.
The Future Farming Directorate
Policy work here is about what agriculture and environmental land management will look like tomorrow. Our priorities include designing a new system to help farmers improve the environment and productivity, supporting the sustainable growth of businesses throughout the food chain, and delivering a smooth transition for farming as we move away from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.
The Marine and Fisheries Directorate
This complex, high profile area is central to Defra’s EU Exit work, and is of particular interest to Ministers. Work on the Fisheries Bill will maximise opportunities to transform how we manage our fishing industry and access to our waters once we exit the EU. More broadly, our work is about protecting and improving the marine environment, and sustainably managing our diverse fisheries.
The Strategy Directorate
Here is where our policy professionals set both the overall strategic direction of Defra and the vision for how the department works together. Analysing decisions about change and resource allocation, they deliver fast-paced projects and develop innovative approaches to help us to deliver on our strategic vision.