Geopolitics co-lead
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 20th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic and high-performing individual to join the Geopolitics team in the International Strategy and Trade Relations (ISTR) Directorate, DBT.
ISTR is a centre of country, regional and trade policy expertise in DBT. Our mission is to consolidate and grow the market access enjoyed by UK business, boost investment and advance the UK’s wider trade policy objectives, through our bilateral relationships and our extensive network of concluded FTAs.
The Geopolitics team is one of three Grade 6-led teams in the International Strategy and Delivery team, alongside Sectors and Engagement team and Market Access and Implementation Strategy.
The Geopolitics team works to: identify and interpret the impact of geostrategic and regional trends on policy development, identify departmental gaps in coverage or join-up of global challenges; identify emerging insight from academia and think tanks on global challenges; and establish effective reporting mechanisms for promoting cross-departmental collaboration.
Job description
This is a leadership role, which will play an important part in shaping the Geopolitics team’s work programme and remit, as well as taking an active corporate role in the wider International Strategy and Delivery team.
Role and responsibilities:
- Engage effectively across the department and Whitehall on geopolitical and trade policy issues.
- Build strong networks with policy and analytical stakeholders to utilise their expertise, ensure that geopolitical considerations are appropriately assessed and factored into DBT policy making and support alignment with wider Whitehall strategies.
- Build credible and collaborative relationships with external experts, including academics.
- Produce insightful policy analysis and reporting on geopolitical and trade policy issues, tensions and trade-offs, to support the development of DBT strategies and policies.
- Provide expert advice and build trusted relationships with senior customers and stakeholders. Provide briefing and advice for Ministers.
- Leadership within the International Strategy and Delivery team, including line management of a small team.
The role is likely to adapt with changing Ministerial and senior official priorities.
Person specification
Essential criteria
- Strong leadership skills, including the ability to see the strategic big picture.
- Knowledge and understanding of trade policy, international relations, and how they intersect.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills. Comfortable working across boundaries and developing relationships with teams across Whitehall and with external stakeholders. Able to engage credibly with senior stakeholders and understand their priorities, and draft clear and concise written materials.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and demonstrate resilience and flexibility.
- The ability to motivate and empower a team and ensure the delivery of high-quality work.
Desirable criteria
- We would welcome candidates willing to consider applying for Developed Vetting.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
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.
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.
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 of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the Essential criteria.
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.
As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.
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 : Eva George
- Email : eva.george2@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
