Higher Executive Officer

Job Title: Higher Executive Officer
Location: Lancaster House, Hampshire Court, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE4 7YH
FULLY REMOTE
Pay Rate: £18.00 per hour
Contract: Temporary until 26/01/2027 (with potential for extension)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm (37 hours per week)
Must live within 1 hour of NE4 7YH as must be able to pick up IT equipment from Office location
Level of Clearance Needed: Basic DBS

It is an exciting time to join Defra's HR Policy Team as we implement the policy changes required in support of the government's plan to Make Work Pay. Pegged as the most significant overhaul of workers' rights in the UK, in a generation, the Employment Rights Act 25 came into force in December 2025 and with it, a raft of legislative change spanning from April 26 through to 2028. The purpose of this role is to help us get in the best possible shape to make those changes by providing support to the policy leads in identifying gaps, correcting the format and publishing updates on time. At first there will be a focus on ensuring that Natural England's policies are up to date, but there will be opportunities to get involved in policy development across all of the organisations that the team provide a service for.

The essential knowledge, skills, and qualifications required for the role Ideally the candidate will have previous HR administrative experience basic understanding of employment law (although the latter can be developed). working within set publishing platforms, and digitally aware. Any desirable criteria. Previous experience of working either in the civil service or public sector would be advantageous but not essential. They will have excellent grammar, any information regarding recruitment restrictions that may be relevant to the supplier. Locations Newcastle, Bristol or London so could provide face to face support.

Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink.

Brook Street is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all candidates who are veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel, and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy.

As a Disability Confident Leader, and holder of the Gold Award status from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, Brook Street, as a supplier to the Public Sector Resourcing Framework (PSR), will offer you a guaranteed interview with a PSR Sourcer.

Should you identify as a candidate with a disability and/or as a veteran or spouse/partner of military personnel and meet all the essential criteria for the role, we encourage you to reach out to us via the Brook Street website. Here you will find a link to register your interest and state the role that you are interested in. We are committed to engaging with you.

In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses/partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, Brook Street will interview the best candidates from within that group.