Free Trade Agreement Utilisation - Deputy Utilisation Lead
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 17th September 2024
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About the job
Job summary
This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). DBT is the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating high quality jobs and opportunities across the entire UK. We are an international department and we work closely with our colleagues who are based in 108 countries worldwide.
DBT will:
- Redraw our rules to ensure businesses thrive, markets are competitive, and consumers are protected
- Secure investment from UK and international businesses
- Advise, support, and promote British businesses to grow and export
- Open up new markets for businesses by removing barriers and striking trade deals
- Promote free trade, economic security and resilient supply chains
We are seeking a Deputy Utilisation Lead to join the Free Trade Agreement Utilisation (FTAU) team. The FTAU team’s main objective is to help ensure UK exporters are fully equipped to take advantage of new opportunities provided by Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). We do this through a combination of trade policy expertise, deep knowledge of FTA markets, working closely with exporters, and working in partnership with DBT’s wider export support offer.
FTAU works together as a team to achieve our objectives across several workstreams and FTA markets. Our connections are also key to achieving our objectives and we work with lots of teams in DBT, both across the UK and overseas, as well as other government departments. In addition, we work closely with many external stakeholders such as Business Representative Organisations and directly with exporters, to ensure we are responding to the interests and needs of UK businesses looking to grow internationally.
FTAU is a friendly and welcoming team with members from a wide variety of professions. As a team and department, we are committed to being an inclusive employer and building a culturally diverse workplace. We actively encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences.
Job description
- The primary focus of this role will be on the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trade deal which currently consists of 11 diverse countries spanning multiple regions across the world (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam). This is a very exciting time to be working on CPTPP, as the UK will be joining the trade bloc in December 2024.
- You will be expected to quickly get to grips with the provisions of CPTPP, how those provisions impact businesses in practice and be able to communicate them to internal and external stakeholders.
- If new FTAs are signed, and the priorities of the team change, you may be expected to work on other FTAs, for example India or the Gulf Co-operation Council.
- The role requires you to build and maintain a large network of contacts across DBT, other government departments and international partners to support the deepening of the UK’s trade relationships.
- You will be expected to hold close relationships with our colleagues overseas; it is likely that you will be given a focus on some of the Asia-Pacific countries within CPTPP. This will be vital to ensure that they are supported to understand the opportunities in market and answer questions from stakeholders when the deal enters into force.
- The role may require occasional meetings outside of normal working hours to accommodate for time differences where required.
- In the run-up to and after entry into force of CPTPP, FTAU have a lot of planned engagement with businesses. You will be expected to attend some business events and have a chance to present on CPTPP (a mix of hybrid and in-person across the UK). You will be expected to attend some business events and have a chance to present on CPTPP (a mix of hybrid and in-person across the UK which you may be required to travel to).
- Another key part of FTAU’s work is ensuring DBT colleagues understand FTA utilisation. You will get the opportunity to work on materials for and present to internal colleagues on CPTPP.
Person specification
We are looking for a proactive self-starter with a keen eye for detail and the ability to work on a variety of projects at one time. They will also be comfortable regularly engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.
Essential Criteria
- You have excellent written and verbal communication skills
- You have experience working in a fast-paced environment, where you must balance competing, and often changing priorities while taking into account the broader context of your work
- You are able to collaborate and build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across DBT, other government departments and external to government
- You have a detailed understanding of trade policy and experience of working in international trade roles
Desirable Criteria
- Experience and/or understanding of UK government export policy, DBT’s export support services and FTAs
- Experience presenting to a range of different stakeholders and audiences
- Experience and/or understanding of issues facing UK exporters
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- 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 average employer contribution of 27%
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 of up to 500 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.
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.
As part of your interview, you may be asked to complete a short written assessment, 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.
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 : Olivia Herford
- Email : olivia.herford@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
Commission Complaints
