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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
This opportunity is in the Trade in Services Team, which sits within the USID (US, Services, Investment and Digital) Directorate in the Departments Trade Policy, Implementation and Negotiations Group. The Services team works to deliver an ambitious services trade agenda that generates economic and commercial benefit to the UK.
The UK is the 2nd largest global exporter of services. In turn, Services is the fastest growing area of international trade, forecast to reach 28% of global trade by 2035. The Professional & Business Services (PBS) Policy Team, develops services trade policy and leads PBS negotiations in free trade agreements (FTAs). Our team aims to open up PBS markets for UK suppliers and facilitate professionals seeking recognition of their professional qualifications in those markets.
You will conduct research for scoping and development of UK negotiation objectives for new FTA negotiations. The role involves working closely in partnership with other Government Departments and stakeholders, especially in the PBS sector. Your role will include:
- Playing a key role in developing PBS services trade policy, including using evidence on what is effective and most makes a difference for businesses in the sector.
- Supporting scoping negotiations, including leading on some parts of the negotiation.
- Working collaboratively across the wider Trade in Services team, Whitehall and DBT to develop consistent and coherent policy.
- Developing and maintaining effective, productive relationships with legal and analytical experts to include their advice in your policy development.
- Working with other Departments, overseas colleagues in Embassies and Consulates, and other stakeholders.
- Identifying UK objectives and priority areas for action for new agreements and developing positions in response to partner countries previous agreements and likely asks of the UK.
- Supporting work on External Communications, Ministerial and other briefings, including input to Parliamentary briefs and responses to questions from MPs and Peers.
Our Trade in Services team is vibrant, hardworking and collaborative. We value diversity and recognise the importance of professional and personal growth. Whilst knowledge of trade policy would be useful, the team places a high value on a learning culture and we will support you to build your trade expertise. A willingness to travel overseas is a requirement of this role.
Job description
The role will focus on developing trade policy and scoping bilateral services negotiations. Your approach and strategy will need to be informed by and feed into the wider teams policy and approach. You will:
- Develop evidence-based trade policy and negotiation strategies.
- Support priority negotiations, advising negotiators on policy, tactics and strategy and lead on aspects of a negotiation.
- Create strong, collaborative relationships with key Departments to develop robust and joined up policy and negotiating positions.
- Support engagement with key stakeholders within and outside government, ensuring that insights feed into UK trade policy and negotiations.
- Produce briefing for ministers and senior officials, drawing input from across the Department.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Ability to analyse a range of information and evaluate evidence to make clear recommendations.
- Ability to communicate and influence effectively.
Desirable Criteria
- Ability to understand complex technical issues.
- Experience of work with international partners.
Personal Attributes & Skills
To be successful in this role, you’ll need to enjoy working with a wide range of people, including some who have linked but not identical objectives, to deliver a shared outcome. You will have the ability to think critically, analyse the options and connect the dots to develop strategy, building consensus with internal and external partners. You’ll be comfortable juggling priorities, take pride in delivering high quality work and be able to proactively drive forward work independently as well as collaboratively as part of a team.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£10,274 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 : Rosie Ward
- Email : Rosie.Ward@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
