Senior Engagement Adviser, Trade Policy
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 16th October 2024
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International Trade
Policy
Private Sector Development
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About the job
Job summary
We are seeking a dynamic and motivated individual to join our unique Negotiations Coherence team as a Senior Engagement Adviser. Our team works across DBT, Government, industry and beyond to ensure that the UK achieves the best outcomes and delivers growth through our trade negotiations – a key priority for the Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
Working in the stakeholder engagement team within Negotiations Coherence, you will join an expert team comprising of one G7 deputy head, two SEOs, one HEO, and an EO Policy Officer. You will focus on how we engage stakeholders strategically to ensure UK business and industry views are considered throughout our trade negotiations and policy development.
In addition to leading the coordination, briefing, and delivery elements of our stakeholder forums, you will bring teams together across the DBT to develop strategic and targeted Ministerial and Director General engagement plans. You will help develop our best practice guidance on stakeholder engagement for colleagues across the group. You will also ensure that robust procedures are in place to protect confidentiality in engagement.
The role will be suited to a self-starter who wants to work across a broad range of high priority engagements, at an exciting time for the UK’s growth mission. You will have significant exposure to different areas of the organisation, opportunities for ownership and delivery of solutions, as well as close working with seniors.
The Negotiations Coherence team sits within the Trade Policy, Implementation and Negotiations Group. We have excellent visibility across not only our group but the wider department, and you will build a network of experts across trade policy and delivery.
You will join our expert, agile, and supportive team that takes pride in ensuring that the UK’s trade policy operates effectively, innovatively, and strategically.
Job description
The post holder will:
- Work closely with the G7 to lead negotiation teams and policy teams to deliver meaningful Ministerial and Senior Official engagement at the right times throughout the programme.
- Collaborate with teams across the department to join up with wider Ministerial priorities, including trade agreement utilisation, market access strategy, and broader domestic business engagement.
- Lead the secretariat functions of the key forums managed by Negotiations Coherence (with the support of an HEO).
- Maintain relationships with key external stakeholders on trade policy matters.
- Line manager for one HEO who will play a key role in delivery, ensure they are supported and have clear direction and goals in place.
- Ensure we review and develop our engagement strategy, including novel ways to leverage engagement to inform and secure UK aims.
- Ensure the team have robust procedures in place to manage confidential engagement with key stakeholders.
Person specification
Skills and Experience
Essential Criteria
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and balance competing priorities, including short-term problem solving and longer-term strategic work.
- A strong communicator – both orally and in written products.
- A natural relationship builder who can leverage contacts to progress and resolve issues.
- A collaborative approach to teamwork, with the ability to be flexible, proactive, and adaptable.
- A strategic thinker, with the ability to relate individual work streams to the Department’s wider strategic priorities with sound understanding of wider contexts.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working with UK business and industry.
- Knowledge of trade policy and trade negotiations.
Personal Attributes & Skills
We are looking for someone who:
- Is organised, with a pragmatic approach to issues.
- Is a strong strategic thinker.
- Enjoys a fast pace and diversity in their role.
- Builds effective and collaborative relationships.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
- A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
- A Personal Statement (500 words) to demonstrate how your skills, knowledge and experience match the requirements of the role detailed in the bullet points under the "key responsibilities" and the essential criteria detailed in the" skills and experience" sections of the job description.
It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
We will test your behaviours, technical skills and strengths at application and interview.
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
- A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
- Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
- The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
- New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
- Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
- A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
- Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
- Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
- This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk
Vetting
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Feedback
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 : Rupert Dove-Seymour
- Email : rupert.doveseymour2@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcing@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints
