Working for Defra

Details of what it's like to work for Defra, along with current vacancies and public appointments, and information on how to apply.

Jobs

All of our jobs are advertised on Civil Service jobs.

Public appointments

Defra is responsible for a number of non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs).

Our public appointments - generally ministerial appointments to the board of a public body or advisory committee - are advertised on the Cabinet Office Public Appointments website.

The chairman and members of our NDPBs are appointed in line with the ‘Principles of Public Appointments and Governance Code’.

Salary and benefits

The annual salary or other remuneration will be stated in the relevant vacancy details. On appointment successful applicants will be able to join a partnership pension account, a stakeholder pension with an employer contribution based on your age. You do not have to contribute but if you do your employer will also match your contributions up to 3% of pensionable pay.

You do not have to join the civil service pension arrangements, you may opt out and be covered instead by a personal pension or the State Second Pension (S2P). In addition to any specific benefits that will be stated in relevant vacancies, other benefits include 10½ days public holidays, flexible working patterns, subsidised canteens in some locations and sports facilities.

Our comprehensive benefits offer includes:

  • generous annual leave
  • a contributory pension
  • staff bonuses and recognition
  • volunteering days
  • childcare vouchers and other salary sacrifice options
  • maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks of statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay

Commitment to equality

The department, including its executive agencies, is an equal opportunities employer. We have a policy of equality of opportunity for all staff. Applications are welcome regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or age. The department operates a guaranteed interview scheme for people with disabilities (as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) who meet the minimum criteria for appointment.

Read more about equality and diversity at Defra.

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