UKDSE Deputy Head Ukraine & Turkey
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 20th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Within the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) provides a route to market for the UK’s defence and security, cyber and defence maritime industries as well as attracting foreign investment. We provide specialist advice and assistance in partnership with industry bodies and several Government departments including the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the Home Office (HO).
Beyond seeking to grow our economy, UKDSE aims to deliver strategic advantage to the UK, by promoting industrial cooperation in the defence and security sectors to give HMG the edge when competing at state level. Ukraine is a clear priority for us, and reinforcing Ukraine’s industrial base is a direction from Number 10 with the stated ambition to win the war of industrial production with Russia; this will be achieved by ramping-up defence investment, increasing domestic production to meet long-term demand from Ukraine and to ensure our own capabilities are complemented by robust supply chains.
Looking across Whitehall, UKDSE is an integral part of the MOD’s operating model. We cooperate closely with “Task Force HIRST” in the MOD on developing and delivering a pan-HMG industrial strategy focused on enhancing cooperation between the UK and Ukrainian Defence sectors. We also design and deliver trade missions into Kyiv directly to function as an interlocutor between our defence industries and the Ukrainian MOD as well its Ministry for Strategic Industries.
Job description
The postholder will:
- Lead the UKDSE Ukraine team to ensure optimal delivery of departmental strategic objectives in line with government priorities.
- Be required to individually plan and implement a number of high-risk no fail, cross-cutting workstreams that will run through 2024/25 and beyond. A collaborative and inclusive approach in DBT, across Whitehall and internationally is critical.
- Think strategically across the political, military, and economic lines of engagement.
- Write and provide briefings for Director General level Principals and taking decisions with a high degree of autonomy.
- Will need to be able to work across Whitehall and internationally.
- Will lead a cross-departmental team of 12 people.
The role also requires the individual to be highly resilient (possibly working long hours at short notice) and ideally, they should be prepared to visit Kyiv and other locations in Ukraine (i.e. a hostile environment for which SAFE+ training is required and close protection may be necessary).
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Experience of working flexibly across departmental boundaries and briefing DG level Principals independently.
- Experience leading work which involves multiple stakeholders across business and foreign governments, potentially with conflicting viewpoints
- Proven ability to make timely decisions under pressure.
- A demonstrable and deep understanding of the UK’s defence and security industry sectors
- Preparedness and experience of travelling/working in a conflict zone
- Hold a Project Management qualification
- Experience of working with teams of Civil Servants and Military Personnel
- Be able to attend meetings in Whitehall at short notice
- Experience of working with Industry
- Have completed current SAFE + Training
- Hold a current DV STRAP security clearance
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working directly alongside UK military, including in operations.
- Experience of leading (or playing a very senior role) in overseas trade missions.
- Experience of working on Turkey, the eastern mediterranean and/or central Asia export campaigns.
Personal Attributes & Skills
- Organised and able to apply a robust approach to their work.
- Emotionally intelligent and able to work with a range of stakeholders.
- Resilient and able to deliver priority tasks under pressure.
- Proactive and able to take the initiative without constant supervision.
- Committed in a leadership role, both in their core work and in corporate culture.
- Be able to think strategically across the political, military, and economic lines of engagement.
- To be highly resilient.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- 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 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.
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 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
Developed Vetting - The requirement for Developed Vetting 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
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 : Denise Kaye
- Email : denise.kaye@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
