Head of Office: Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector

The Farming Partnership and Growth Division is a brand new division in the Farming Directorate that has been created specifically to deliver the fundamental transformation in farming, including the tenanted sector envisaged by the independent Farming Profitability Review, the Farming Roadmap, Land Use Framework and Rock Review.

The Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector (CTFS) provides an essential service to strengthen relationships and collaboration between tenant farmers, landlords and advisers. The Office raises awareness of the standards of conduct and expected behaviours set out in the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice ; the Commissioner’s role, remit and values; works with stakeholders to resolve issues informally where appropriate; and handles casework in a timely, impartial and professional way.

This is an opportunity to join a high-profile outward-facing team and contribute directly to the Commissioner’s strategic objectives, delivery priorities and public profile. You will work with colleagues across Defra and government, alongside tenant farming stakeholders, and will work collaboratively with the Commissioner in support of their formal remit and responsibilities.

The role offers varied, hands-on experience across casework, stakeholder engagement (including senior and Executive level engagement), evidence gathering (including to inform policy development), communications and delivery engagement. You may speak directly with people seeking support, manage cases, lead the design of research or surveys, accompany the Commissioner on visits and at speaking engagements, and represent the Commissioner at sector events. This role will provide significant opportunities to develop your profile within Defra and the farming sector.

You will join at an exciting time, to help forge and embed the identity and culture of the new Farming Growth and Partnership division.

Job description

• Leadership of the CTFS Office: working closely with the Commissioner to ensure the Office is delivering on its priorities. Includes line management of an SEO Case Manager, but the role also requires working confidently with related teams across Defra to deliver the Commissioners work programme. May also require the postholder to deputise for the Commissioner at meetings and events.
• Case management: Overseeing the core aspect of the Commissioners function - manage informal and formal inquiries from the tenant farming sector from first contact through to completion, gathering and assessing evidence, engaging constructively and sensitively with parties, using the Tenancy Code of Practice and relevant guidance as the underpinning framework. This will include formally reporting on the Commissioners activities via the Farm Tenancy Forum which is co-chaired by the Defra Food and Farming Minister.
• Stakeholder and sector engagement: lead activity that makes the Commissioner visible, accessible and well understood across the tenant farming sector. This will include engagement at executive and very senior level across tenancy stakeholders (for example the Farm Tenancy Forum) and on occasion deputising for the Commissioner at events and meetings.
• Visits and representation: organise and take part in farm visits, agricultural shows, roundtables and other events, and represent the Office confidently and professionally both internally across relevant Defra teams and externally;
• Communications: lead work with communications colleagues on a proactive programme of activity, including visits, blogs, podcasts and other suitable products.
• Research and insight: commission and lead research to understand awareness and impact, interpret findings and summarise evidence clearly for internal and external audiences.
• Policy connections: build strong working relationships with policy teams, share operational insight and help inform Defra advice and future policy development.
• Service improvement: review processes and systems, identify practical improvements and help maintain a responsive, high-quality service.
• Work closely with the Tenancy Policy Team and related Defra policy and delivery team, sharing insights, risks, gaps and opportunities to strengthen ways of working.
• This list is not exhaustive. The postholder will be expected to respond flexibly to changing priorities and the evolving needs of the Commissioner’s Office.

Person specification

• Leadership: Experience of building high-performing teams while providing clear direction and support.
• Management: experience of staff management and/or developing the skills and capability of others.
• Clear and sensitive communication: excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to tailor advice and correspondence for different audiences and handle complex or sensitive issues with discretion, tact and emotional intelligence.
• Evidence and judgement: the ability to gather, assess and interpret evidence, exercise sound judgement and make clear, well-reasoned recommendations or decisions.
• Stakeholder management: a proven ability to build credible relationships, collaborate and influence across a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including where perspectives or priorities differ.
• Planning and delivery: strong organisational skills, with experience of prioritising competing demands, meeting deadlines and maintaining quality while working at pace.
• Adaptability and teamwork: a flexible, proactive approach and the confidence to respond to changing demands, work across team priorities and contribute to a supportive working culture.
• Experience of casework management, complaints handling or dispute resolution.
• Experience of working in government or a similarly accountable organisation.
• Knowledge of the agricultural or tenant farming sector.
• Experience of working with regulations, guidance or codes of practice.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,207, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £16,862 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%