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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Policy
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About the job
Job summary
The Wider Europe, Middle East & Central Asia (WEMCA) team in the Bilateral Trade Relations directorate leads the Department of Business and Trades (DBT) policy engagement with trade partners outside of formal negotiations. Across this region we are responsible for identifying and resolving market access barriers, developing strategies to improve the UKs bilateral trade relationships and the implementation of trade agreements. To do this, we work strategically across Whitehall and with our networks based in London, The British Embassies and High Commissions overseas, and with businesses to identify and deliver against the UKs market access and trade policy objectives.
We are looking to recruit an engaging and energetic Higher Executive Officer (HEO) to join the Wider Europe team covering the southern region. The countries within the Wider Europe South portfolio include the Western Balkans Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia and Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs).
The successful candidate will likely have the opportunity to work on initiatives across both the Western Balkans and Israel/OPTs, and potentially across the wider WEMCA region as required. The role requires the ability to proactively drive agendas forward and to inform the direction set by team leaders and seniors. The role will allow the successful candidate to play a central role in organising and delivering trade committees, and developing and delivering policy positions, country-specific engagement strategies and solutions to any trade policy and market access issues that arise. This will include the implementation of FTAs, working closely with foreign governments, colleagues stationed in post overseas, and wider DBT and HMG colleagues to maximise the impact of our agreements.
The role requires a strategic approach but will also suit those who enjoy managing a range of competing priorities at any one time. Learning & Development is on offer to support the successful candidate in becoming an expert in trade policy and the role provides an excellent platform for further career development and promotion.
We are a friendly, collaborative and inclusive team with a positive team culture and you will never face challenges alone.
We believe that diverse and inclusive teams are the most successful and so strongly encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and working patterns. Knowledge of trade policy is helpful but not a prerequisite. Far more important is your commitment to contributing to a positive and inclusive culture within the team, your proven track record of policy delivery, and your commitment to personal development.
Job description
- Identify, scope, evaluate and prioritise market access barriers, in accordance with objectives set by the Secretary of State and DBT ministerial direction.
- Develop market access action plans and strategies to resolve barriers.
- Free Trade Agreement implementation.
- Develop policy positions and solutions with DBT and other government department experts and deliver upon these in support of FTA implementation and market access work.
- Represent the team across a range of DBT and cross-Whitehall fora, leading and contributing to meetings where needed.
- Maintain and develop networks across DBT, other government departments and posts to aid the delivery of our objectives.
- Deliver high-quality written briefings, submissions, correspondence and papers to aid the delivery of our objectives.
- Deliver high quality oral briefings to seniors and ministers and manage Parliamentary process and scrutiny as necessary.
- Contribute to an open and inclusive team culture across WEMCA.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrable experience of policy development and delivery.
- The ability to interpret and present information and options in a clear and accurate manner, to ensure well-evidenced policy making.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience or knowledge of trade.
- International experience (whether UK or overseas based).
- Experience of delivering through others.
Person Specification
- A driven self-starter.
- An effective and committed team player.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£8,489 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- 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 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 only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/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.
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).
Apply and further information
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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
