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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
We are looking for dynamic candidates to apply for two highly important roles in the International Strategy and Engagement Directorate Asia Team. These are stretching and exciting positions which involve working with our overseas teams across His Majestys Trade Commissioner (HMTC) regions focussed on South Asia and Asia Pacific (APAC). The roles provide the post holders the chance to gain exposure and contribute to real-world outcomes in operational business delivery and policy.
As Deputy Head for one of these two geographical areas, you will ensure overseas teams are able to navigate DBT and Whitehall to help drive trade and investment priorities across their HMTC region, as well as supporting DBTs role in delivery of the Indo-Pacific elements of the Governments Integrated Review. This role offers the successful candidate a great opportunity to develop skills and expertise working in a strategic role across a high priority geographical region, at the interface of trade, investment, economics, and foreign policy.
These roles work across Whitehall developing critical relationships to support overseas colleagues. Post holders will advise Ministers and other senior stakeholders on critical trade promotion matters on geographical areas, drawing in input from both teams in HQ and in the overseas network.
Job description
This is an exciting and varied role, which will give you unparalleled access to the DBT senior leadership teams across either one of two Asia regions, as well as gain exposure to operational, policy and commercial outcomes that are shaped by that regions Regional Trade Plan. The APAC region is economically dominated by India but also covers other markets such as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The Asia Pacific region covers 14 markets, including Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, The ASEAN countries and Australia and New Zealand.
You will be expected to provide strategic oversight and support maintenance of governance structures for the region, including the regional senior board. You will champion DBT priorities of the region across Whitehall including on strategic policy priorities and major visits.
You should establish and maintain productive working relationships with internal stakeholders within the department, including with the overseas network, Free Trade Agreement negotiations, Bilateral Trade Relations and sector colleagues to ensure a one DBT approach towards trade and investment in the region.
The coordination of Ministerial and senior official briefing requests, correspondence and visits both inbound and outbound (liaising with the visits team) are key elements of the role. This includes coordinating DBTs input to VVIP visits as well as preparing high-quality advice and briefings for Ministers and the Permanent Secretary for a range of internal and external meetings.
Line Management: One HEO for South Asia and one HEO for Asia Pacific
Due the anticipated interest and applications for this role we have decided to hold an open session instead of facilitating individual calls.
Bob Manning (Head of APSANS), Simon Brown (Head of APAC) and Neil Gordon (Head of South Asia), will be running a 30 mins session on 16 January at 10:30 to talk about the role and to answer questions. Please contact neil.gordon@businessandtrade.gov.uk if you would like to join.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Ability to work flexibly with others to the changing demands of a team
- Proactive, dynamic approach to work
- Strong written and oral communication skills
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience of stakeholder management
- International experience
- Some knowledge or experience of trade and investment or foreign policy
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£10,643 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 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.
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 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 : Neil Gordon
- Email : neil.gordon@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
