AI Capability and Engagement Officer


Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Salary:	£34,765 - £41,375
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Bristol
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	19 Aug 2026
Closing date:	2 Sept 2026

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Summary

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.

Digital, Data, Technology and Security (DDTS) is the trusted team for digital across the entire Defra Group.

We have around 1000 colleagues across DDTS and our ambition is to make it easier and faster than ever for people to interact with Defra. If you are ready to drive innovation and push boundaries, we want to hear from you. Join us and together we will create a great place for living, and a green and healthy future for all.

Find out more about DDTS:

Defra digital, data and technology blog

Defra Jobs

We are Government Digital and Data Candidate Information Pack V3 - 1

The AI Capability and Engagement Officer will support the effective development, adoption and responsible use of AI across Defra. They will help to build organisational capability and engagement by crafting bespoke content to ensure teams can understand, access and apply AI appropriately and effectively across the department. They will work with business stakeholders to define capability needs, explore gaps and lead on the development of capability and engagement materials that create real impact.

This role feeds into a range of high-profile outcomes, both within the department and across government. It supports the modernisation of DDTS as an innovative, AI-confident digital partner to Defra's policy and operational goals. It further supports Defra’s strategic objectives in enabling responsible and scalable AI adoption over domains such as productivity improvement, regulatory efficiency and environmental outcomes. Finally, it supports the wider transition towards a future-facing, world-class Civil Service that harnesses the best of emerging technologies to transform our ways of working. The role will play an important part in ensuring AI technologies are explainable, relevant and inspiring to colleagues across Defra and its agencies.

The role will broadly:

Manage stakeholder relationships to understand user needs and business developments as part of a wider AI capability offer
Work independently on capability materials and guidance, and collaboratively with relevant teams and professions where required
Have a good understanding of the work being delivered within the AI team, with an ability to communicate this work effectively to other stakeholders
Develop and share best practice with the wider team and business analysts within DDTS
Identify opportunities to expand or refine the existing capability offer in collaboration with the AI Strategy Lead and Head of AI Unit
Ensure that the design of capability and engagement materials are consistent with AI strategy and required services.

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