HR Pensions Advisor

The Defra Group Pension team is responsible for providing an HR expert service to Core Defra, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Rural Payments Agency, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the Environment Agency, and Natural England, as well as several other smaller agencies and bodies. Pensions is a complex and challenging area in HR, and the team consists of subject matter experts and specialists who provide pension expertise and guidance.

We are looking for a Pensions Advisor to work within our small dynamic team under the direction of a Pensions Lead. This role will initially be focussed on providing support and guidance to the high‑profile Water Reform Programme, as well as playing a key role in a potential transfer of colleagues to a new regulator. Following the Independent Water Commission Review and its 88 recommendations, Defra is leading a major reform to reset the water sector, including the creation of a new regulator. This is a flagship programme backed by significant investment and a mandate for bold change.

The People Workstream sits at the heart of this reform, ensuring the workforce, structures, and culture are ready to deliver, and this role is your opportunity to be part of shaping the foundations of a new regulatory landscape. Your work will directly contribute to building a modern, resilient regulatory system that supports environmental and economic goals.

You will undertake preparatory and feasibility work, and the activities that may be required for a potential transfer of colleagues’ pensions to the new regulator and other activities associated with a possible TUPE/COSOP (Cabinet Office Statement of Practice) process. You will be expected to liaise with the Government Actuary’s Department, legal teams, wider Water Reform colleagues and other key stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition. This will require knowledge of pension considerations and actions during TUPE/COSOP processes, as well as a good understanding of the Civil Service Pension Scheme and/or the Local Government Pension Scheme.

The Water Reform programme is a fast‑paced environment and, to be successful, we need to respond quickly to changing demand and priorities while maintaining high standards and professionalism. This is a high‑profile role and requires an individual who is adaptable, able to prioritise effectively, takes the initiative and is an effective team player.

Reporting to the Pensions Lead for the Water Reform Programme, you will also be part of the wider Pensions Team within Defra HR, where we work together to ensure that colleagues are supported during their time here. We believe in delivering first‑class customer service and resolving queries from colleagues as soon as possible.

• Alongside the Pensions Lead, act as a specialist advisor for the Water Reform programme, representing the team in all appropriate Programme meetings.
• Undertake the implementation of all pension activities for the Water Reform programme, including all activities that may be required for a potential TUPE/COSOP process, to ensure the smooth transition of colleague's pension requirements. This would include: collating existing pension information for transferring colleagues; liaising with 3rd party providers regarding the transfer of pensions; administration of the pensions activities of the transfer process; communicating with affected colleagues as appropriate.
• Assist in inputting expert advice as needed to the Water Reform Bill.
• Liaise with wider expert services teams involved in the potential transfer of colleagues to a new regulator.
• Liaise with Government Actuary's Department on behalf of the Water Reform team where necessary.
• Offer expert input to the Communications Programme and handle pensions queries from all parties as part of any consultation process.
• Outside of the Water Reform project, you may also be asked to contribute to the wider Pensions team with responsibilities such as (but not limited to): Provide expert support on other pension transfer or second generation pension transfer situations, working across 3rd party providers, contract managers such as Cabinet Office and the Environment Agency Pension Fund Management team to facilitate transfer into pension arrangements.
• Support on the implementation of current and upcoming legislative changes including review and implementation of processes across 3rd party providers.
• Assist when necessary, with BAU work, such as complex case management, process improvement and responding to queries.
• Provide expertise across other project work within the team including rectification projects.
• Build influencing relationships with internal and external customers and to use these contacts to gain an understanding of and resolve complex or cross‑cutting issues.

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people.