Senior Policy Advisor
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Friday 15th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
We are looking to recruit a high performing individual to fill a vacancy in the Wider Europe team of the International Strategy and Trade Relations directorate (ISTR).
The Department for Business and Trade is at the heart of delivering the UK’s mission for growth, through supporting UK business and driving the government’s international trade agenda.
The ISTR directorate 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 free trade agreements (FTAs). We are responsible for strengthening the UK’s trade relationship with partners around the world by protecting and increasing access to markets.
The Wider Europe team is a dedicated regional team within ISTR. We lead the Department’s bilateral trade engagement in the region and work to improve the UK’s trade relationship with those markets. In this role you will engage with foreign governments and businesses to resolve barriers to market and oversee our trade agreements or, where none exist, develop strategies to improve those relationships.
Job description
The role within the Wider Europe team is primarily focused on Wider Europe South, and in this role you are likely to be a market lead on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Within the scope of this demanding role, you will become a regional trade expert empowered to develop relationships with a variety of stakeholders and explore creative policy initiatives to support UK business interests.
The role may require flexibility to cover other markets from time to time, as circumstances require, including on the Western Balkans. Your key responsibilities are expected to include:
- Establishing yourself as a regional market expert, identifying priorities and developing long term strategy.
- Overseeing the functioning of our trade agreements and the obligations we and our partners have taken under them. This includes driving the agenda of bilateral meetings and working on implementation requirements.
- Developing a network with business and across government, including our regional embassies to enhance our understanding of business interests and to support them in delivering in-market projects and solutions.
- Resolving market access barriers for UK business, by developing creative solutions and working with specialist teams within and external to DBT (including policy teams and regulators) to deliver change.
There is also the potential in this role to line manage others.
Person specification
We are looking for an individual with experience of working in trade policy, and who has capability and confidence to lead a busy programme of work.
Essential Criteria
- Experience working in international trade policy.
- Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to quickly digest complicated texts and documents. The ability to deliver at pace against competing priorities and stay calm under pressure.
- Project management skills, including the ability to identify risks and mitigating actions.
- Ability to think strategically and geopolitically, using evidence and research to support decision making.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with experience of communicating with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working on Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the wider region.
- Political acumen and strong understanding of the bigger picture.
- Line management experience.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
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 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 CVs. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/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:
Vetting
The requirement for DV is to have been present in the UK for at least 5 of the last 10 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
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
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 : Laura Morison
- Email : laura.morison@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
