International Policy Officer
Reporting to: Head of Trade (APAC)
Location: Edinburgh with hybrid working (occasional travel to London required)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week; flexible requests considered
Salary: £32,792 per annum
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is the trade association for the Scotch Whisky industry. We support and represent our members across a wide range of priorities, including industry promotion, regulatory and legal matters, sustainability, international market access and protecting the Scotch Whisky category worldwide.
We are recruiting an International Policy Officer to provide policy and operational support to our International Team. This is a varied role combining visits and events coordination with policy support across selected Asia‑Pacific markets, tackling non‑tariff barriers and market access issues affecting the Scotch Whisky industry.
This role would suit someone in the early stages of their policy, public affairs or external relations career, or someone looking to move into international trade and market access work from another relevant sector. You do not need to be an international trade specialist already, but you will need to be organised, curious, a strong communicator and confident working with a range of colleagues, members and external stakeholders.
Closing date: Sunday 5 July 2026 at 23:59
First-stage interviews: week commencing Monday 13 July, by Teams
Second-stage interviews: week commencing Monday 27 July, in person in Edinburgh.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. We will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates throughout the recruitment process.
Job description — International Policy Officer
Role purpose
The International Policy Officer will provide policy and operational support to the International Team, combining responsibility for visits and events coordination with policy support across selected Asia‑Pacific markets, non‑tariff barriers and market access issues for the Scotch Whisky industry.
The role offers an early‑career professional, or someone moving into a new sector, the opportunity to develop operational, stakeholder engagement and policy skills in a varied and outward‑facing environment.
Key responsibilities
Visits, events and stakeholder coordination
* Coordinate the planning and logistics of inward and outward visits, ensuring programmes are well‑organised and professionally delivered.
* Provide administrative and logistical support for team events, including trade and industry events hosted or attended by the International Team.
* Support the International Director and other senior team members with programme planning, travel arrangements and logistics for outward visits.
* Liaise professionally with members, overseas stakeholders, venues, suppliers and colleagues to support the smooth delivery of visits and events.
* Help ensure relevant information, actions and follow‑up points from visits and events are recorded and progressed appropriately.
Asia‑Pacific policy support
* Support the Head of Trade responsible for the Asia‑Pacific portfolio, including work on selected emerging markets in the region.
* Support the Head of Trade with the Association’s Asia‑Pacific and India working groups, including scheduling meetings, preparing papers, taking minutes and following up agreed actions.
* Monitor and horizon‑scan for relevant trade, regulatory and market access developments across selected Asia‑Pacific markets.
* Contribute to draft briefings, market summaries and member communications on Asia‑Pacific issues.
* Provide additional coordination and policy support as trade negotiations and market access issues develop.
Non‑tariff barriers and market access
* Provide support to the team’s market access work, taking responsibility for defined geographic or cross‑cutting non‑tariff barrier issues as agreed.
* Support work on implementation issues arising from the entry into force of the UK/India trade agreement, including tracking member queries, coordinating input from colleagues and members, and helping progress agreed actions.
* Maintain accurate records of issues, actions and stakeholder engagement relating to agreed market access workstreams.
* Work with International Team colleagues to identify recurring issues, member concerns or emerging barriers that may require further policy or engagement activity.
Team and member support
* Support the effective running of International Team meetings, working groups and member engagement activity as required.
* Prepare clear notes, summaries, updates and correspondence for internal and member audiences.
* Maintain accurate records and support the use of relevant systems, including stakeholder or member information where required.
* Provide flexible support to International Team colleagues, including picking up agreed ad‑hoc tasks during busy periods.
Person specification
Essential
* Strong organisational and coordination skills, including the ability to manage logistics, competing priorities and multiple stakeholders.
* Clear written and oral communication skills, including the ability to prepare accurate notes, summaries or briefings.
* Confidence engaging professionally with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
* An interest in international trade, policy, public affairs, market access or external relations.
* Good attention to detail, with the ability to follow through on actions and maintain accurate records.
* Collaborative, flexible and constructive team member.
Desirable
* Experience or knowledge of international trade policy, market access issues and/or the Asia‑Pacific region.
* Experience in a trade association, membership organisation, government, public affairs or policy environment.
* Experience supporting events, visits, working groups or stakeholder meetings.
* Familiarity with CRM, stakeholder management or member information systems.
Behaviours and ways of working
* Accountability: Follows through on agreed actions, manages recurring responsibilities reliably, and flags issues or delays early.
* Respect: Works professionally with colleagues, members and external stakeholders, communicates clearly, and is considerate of others’ time and priorities.
* Curiosity: Shows interest in international trade and market access issues, asks good questions, and is willing to build knowledge in new areas.
General
* Carry out any other reasonable duties consistent with the scope and purpose of the role.
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