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Working for Defra

Everyone who works with us or in one of our agencies and public bodies has a part to play in achieving our vision of ‘creating a great place for people to live’. The work we do impacts the lives of everyone living in the UK – from the food they eat and the air they breathe, to the water they drink.

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.

Check out our latest jobs

We are always looking for talented people to join us at Defra. Find out more about our current vacancies and apply today.

View all jobs at Defra

A great place for people to live

People who work for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs all play their part in creating a healthier environment, developing a world-leading food and farming industry, expanding a thriving rural economy and securing robust defences against natural threats and hazards such as flooding and animal and plant diseases.

Our people come from a wide variety of backgrounds and include policy makers, scientists and research specialists.

Whatever your skills, background or specialism, you will find that we offer work with a profound purpose. There has never been a more exciting time to join us.

Our focus is on working in a transformative way, embracing every opportunity to be more agile, efficient, focused and innovative than ever before.

For you, this promises an opportunity to impact on millions of lives, building a bright future for us all.

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About Defra

Find out more about us and the work we do across the UK.

Our Careers

From writing environmental policy, to delivering operational science, to protecting plant and animal health, to delivering the digital services that support our work.

Our Benefits

We offer an attractive and competitive benefits package.

Our Culture

Learn more about what it is like to work for Defra.

Our Locations

Find out more about where and how we work.

How to Apply

Everything you need to know to help you with our application process.

“Our outcomes are now more ambitious than ever, and the work that we do across Defra is vital and varied.

I want Defra to be a destination organisation, a place people want to work because they are keen to be a part of delivering our outcomes, and because they know they will be supported to bring their whole selves to work, to deliver, and to develop their career.”

Tamara Finkelstein

Permanent Secretary at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

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New housing developments to deliver nature boost in landmark move

In a world first, developers in England are now required to deliver 10% Biodiversity Net Gain when building new housing, industrial or commercial developments.

Read more about new housing developments
A puffin with small fish in its beak.

Nature recovery to be accelerated as the government delivers on measures to protect land and sea

One year on since the publication of the Environmental Improvement Plan, the government launches new measures to halt and reverse nature’s decline.

Read more about nature recovery

New measures to boost access to nature announced

The new package of measures includes launching a search for a new National Park, 34 new landscape recovery projects, new forests and funding to help more children get outdoors and into the great British countryside

Read more about boosting access to nature

See our gov.uk page

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