HEO Investigator
Trade Remedies Authority
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 14th July 2024
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Investigation
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About the job
Job summary
Drop In Sessions
You can get more information about the role and working at the TRA by attending one of the two drop-in sessions that will be taking place on 26th June 12.00-13.00 and 8th July 14.00-15.00. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions, including about the recruitment process from application to interview through to offer. You can join the session at any point throughout the hour by clicking on the relevant link:26th June (link) 8th July (link).
About this role
The Trade Remedies Authority exists to defend the UK against unfair international trade practices, such as dumping, trade-distorting subsidies and unforeseen surges in imports. We work in multidisciplinary teams to investigate whether trade remedies are needed to prevent injury to UK industries, and make recommendations on appropriate measures to defend UK economic interests.
The working pattern for this role is full time (but compressed and flexible working available). We welcome applicants who wish to work part time or other contractual flexible working patterns. You will need to be aware that the job requires occasional travel for planned on-site verification visits. During these you would be expected to work the full hours required to conduct the work and that may vary your usual contractual working pattern. Successful candidates are encouraged to discuss this on appointment.
Role Purpose
At the TRA, you’ll play a key role in ensuring fair trade practices by assessing claims of unfair trade activities. Collaborating with a diverse team of fellow investigators, lawyers, policy advisors, accountants and analysts, you’ll review financial documents, analyse data, conduct site visits and engage with stakeholders. Your work will result in externally-facing and detailed reports that provide clear recommendations to the Secretary of State on trade remedies. This role offers a chance to have a strategic impact on UK industries, against the backdrop of international economic and trade policy.
You’ll be offered professional growth across multiple disciplines and a supportive, inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and skills. Join us to contribute to shaping fair trade practices and supporting economic integrity in the UK.
Job description
Key Accountabilities
- Assist in the delivery of investigations by supporting case planning, maintaining official case files and update case management systems.
- Conduct research to gather evidence from a range of sources, and apply judgement to reach well-reasoned and defensible conclusions.
- Undertake analytical assessments, collecting, analysing and manipulating complex data to identify trends and anomalies, to answer questions and advance arguments.
- Verification/assurance of financial data and other supporting material, seeking advice as necessary.
- Support the organisation in developing relationships with key stakeholders including domestic and international industry and government agencies.
- Draft high quality written reports and briefs in a clear and compelling manner.
- Develop and apply knowledge consistently, drawing on the provisions of trade remedies legislation, regulations and procedures, with support from colleagues.
- Undertake the ‘learner journey’, where comprehensive technical training and opportunities for externally recognised qualifications will be provided.
The TRA is moving to an increasingly flexible, skills-based resourcing model. This means that you may work on a range of projects and tasks and have the opportunity to develop a variety of skills, potentially beyond the core outlined above. This would be subject to discussions on appointment about your skills, experience and development pathway. This role may be further developed meaning successful candidates will need to be adaptable to evolving responsibilities within this role.
Person specification
Personal Attributes & Skills
We are looking for individuals who are well organised, have a flair for complex data analysis and report drafting, and possess an investigator’s mindset – curious, sceptical and questioning. You should be able to remain composed in complex, high-profile situations. In addition, we’re looking for people who have a natural ability to engage, communicate, collaborate and influence, working as part of a team to achieve collective goals. You will harness these interpersonal skills to positively contribute to the corporate life of the TRA, in line with our values. You will need to establish mutual respect and trust, building relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Due to the nature of investigative work, you need to be able to self-manage and prioritise your workload in order to deliver high-quality outputs on time, whilst creating complete and accurate records in accordance with requirements - striking a balance between applying creativity and following established process. You will be flexible, versatile and resilient, able to adapt to variations in work and environment, maintaining composure and effectiveness during change.
Essential Experience
The following skills are essential for the post. The sift and interview stages will focus on assessing candidates’ experience relevant to these skills as well as their aptitude to enhance or develop them.
- Analytical skills – ability to interpret complex data, identify patterns to support evidence-based conclusions;
- Communication and influencing – effective in building and maintaining collaborative relationships with stakeholders from different backgrounds;
- Organisational skills – proficiency in managing tasks, time and records;
- Report writing – skilled in drafting clear, concise and comprehensive reports for a range of audiences.
Desirable Experience
- Project management – Ability to manage projects efficiently, ensuring timely and quality deliverables;
- Economics – An understanding of economic principles and their application in international trade;
- Accountancy / finance – Experience with, or understanding of commercial financial records or auditing financial or other data.
Qualifications
• Two A Levels at A*-C and three GCSEs or equivalent*, in five separate subjects, including English and Mathematics.
Equivalent* A Levels, Advanced Apprenticeship, NVQ level 3, BTEC Nationals, and International Baccalaureate.
Equivalent* GCSE’s, BTEC firsts, Cambridge Nationals, NVQ’s, and Functional Skills .
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- A timed technical exercise that will assess your data analysis skills and report writing, using Excel.
- A technical component to the interview which will assess situational judgement required for the role. The questions will be hypothetical and you will be asked to answer how you would handle those scenarios.
Benefits
Please refer to the candidate pack attached for further information.
Useful Information for Existing Civil Servants:
Existing Civil Servants should note that working for the TRA, you will be employed as a public servant. This means:
- This vacancy is for a position in the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA). TRA employees are not Civil Servants. Individuals applying for this role from the Civil Service are advised to review terms prior to accepting the offer. Key terms are outlined in the benefits section of this advert (these are not exhaustive). Individuals can also discuss with hiring managers and the TRA People Team on resourcing.enquiries@traderemedies.gov.uk
- Your continuity of service for employment protection will start on the day you join us. We are not an employer of the Crown and therefore cannot recognise previous employment with the Civil Service for the purpose of qualifying for Employment Rights. An employee must have 2 years’ length of service with TRA before Employment Rights are recognised.
- If you are a member of the Civil Service Pension scheme, your membership and reckonable service will continue with us, providing there is no break between your Civil Service employment and your employment as a public servant with TRA.
- We will recognise the annual leave you have built up, up to a maximum of 30 days, and the sick pay entitlement taking account of your length of service in the Civil Service.
- If you choose to re-join the Civil Service at any point in the future, this will be according to the policies of the department you are joining following your resignation from TRA. You may also wish to be aware that under Exception 5 of the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles, the re-employment of a former Civil Servant is possible within a maximum of five years of leaving the Civil Service, subject to qualifying criteria being met and depending on the policies of the department you are joining.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Casework Skills Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 14/07/2024 on 23:55. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
If successful, you will then be invited to complete a 2-page CV and 750-word personal statement explaining how you meet the essential skills assessment criteria.
Interview
The interview assessment will consist of two parts, an interview and a technical assessment. These will be held on the same day.
(a) A behavioural based interview which will assess the essential skills, experience, and behaviours required for the role. The behaviours you will be assessed against are Making effective decisions, Communicating and influencing, Working together and Delivering at pace.
(b) A technical component to the interview which will assess situational judgement required for the role. The questions will be hypothetical and you will be asked to answer how you would handle those scenarios. There will be two questions, which will be shared in advance with successful candidates.
(c) A timed technical exercise that will assess your data analysis skills and report writing, using Excel.
Further details will be provided to shortlisted candidates in advance of the interviews.
Application closes: 14th July 2024
Shortlist: W/C 15th July 2024
Interviews: W/C 5th August 2024
Offers: W/C 2nd September 2024
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jonathon Farrell
- Email : Jonathon.Farrell@traderemedies.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : TRArecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
