Business Analyst at Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, Remote, to March 2027, £Contract Rate

In the Defra group, we deal with a vast range of issues that profoundly impact on people's lives. We are responsible for England's environment, our countryside and rural economy, the food and farming sectors and have lead responsibility for protection from a wide range of natural threats and hazards. We have developed a set of three strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all the important work we carry out.

Our objectives are:

• To pass on to the next generation a natural environment protected and enhanced for the future. 
• To lead the world in food, farming, and fisheries with a sustainable model of food production. 
•  
• To be an outstanding organisation focused on making a difference, with world class delivery capability.

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs www.gov.uk. 

25 Year Environment Plan - GOV.UK www.gov.uk.

As a Business Analyst, your main responsibilities will be:

• Understand the business need and end-user context: clarify what the organisation needs and how data lifecycle mapping supports service objectives, business strategy and the target operating model
• Engage stakeholders across the business: work with internal colleagues, data owners, digital, information management, area and national teams to understand current data flows and responsibilities.
• Gather and structure requirements: identify what users and decision-makers need from data and information, including access, quality, ownership, reporting and assurance needs
• Familiarity with digital systems and process dependencies, so data flows can be mapped across tools, teams and business processes.

Essential:

• Experience managing digital assets, licences, permits, and associated governance frameworks, ensuring compliance, effective asset lifecycle management, and adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Strong experience working with data and information management, including data governance, quality assurance, reporting, analysis, and the use of information to support decision-making and business outcomes.
• Good understanding of complex public sector organisations, operating within fragmented and evolving governance structures, and navigating multiple stakeholders, policies, and decision-making forums.
• Extensive public sector experience gained across government departments and public bodies, delivering governance, assurance, controls, operational improvement, and strategic initiatives in highly regulated environments.

Desirable:

• Awareness of risk-based delivery, so issues can be prioritised by business impact and user need.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Defra guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant 

Defra guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.