Job summary
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) negotiates trade agreements for the UK and promotes UK Trade and Investment around the world.�
The Trade in Services Team sits within the Trade Negotiations Group. The team is responsible for developing services trade policy and leads high profile services negotiations in Free Trade Agreements and in multilateral fora such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO).�
Trade in services is a crucial element in the UK economy, making up 80% of UK GDP. The team aims to open up the markets of partner countries for UK suppliers, by enhancing mobility of skilled workers, a top ask of businesses, and improving rules on services trade, supporting the growth and success of the UK�s services sector, including businesses in the professional services, financial services, and transport and logistics, sectors.��
We are recruiting four policy advisors across the Trade in Services Team.�
The roles�
The post-holders will work on the policy development for trade in services. This will include content in our future Free Trade Agreements, and other ways to use the UK�s independent trade policy to support the growth and success of the UK�s services sectors. The ideal candidates must be able to demonstrate problem solving, analytical skills, relationships building and engagement skills whilst also being self-organised and able to manage a varied workload.�
Our Trade in Services team is vibrant, hardworking, and collaborative. Much of your work will be done in collaboration with other team members.��
We place a strong emphasis on learning and development. The successful applicants will receive a tailored induction programme, taking into account their existing knowledge and experience.��
We are a friendly and inclusive hybrid team with current team members based in London, Salford, Birmingham and Darlington, although we welcome applications from candidates with a preference for any of DBT�s seven office locations. Candidates should be willing to regularly travel to other DBT locations if required.��
Job description
The roles will work closely with DBT policy teams, internal and external stakeholders, analysts, legal, overseas posts, and other Departments. Your responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:��
Developing robust and well-evidenced trade in services policy, drawing on expertise across the department, Whitehall, and external stakeholders.
Creating strong, collaborative relationships across Whitehall with key Departments to develop joined up policy and negotiating positions.
Supporting engagement with external stakeholders, drawing on advice and encouraging advocacy for UK trade policy.
Supporting engagement with ministers and senior officials, providing high quality and well-articulated advice on trade in services matters.
Providing advice on the negotiation of UK free trade agreements and development of future agreements.�
Person specification
Skills and Experience
Essential Criteria�
We are looking for candidates with:�
1. A problem-solving outlook, good strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
2. A flexible approach, proactive, adaptable and able to balance competing priorities.
3. Experience analysing information to reach conclusions and form recommendations.�
4. Good interpersonal skills, an ability to manage working relationships and bring together a wide range of interested individuals and groups.��
5. Strong written and verbal communication skills.�
Personal Attributes & Skills�
6. Ability to develop and present reasoned arguments based on analysis of evidence.
7. Ability to establish networks and build collaborative and productive relations with colleagues and external stakeholders.
8. Ability to pick up new subject matter quickly, work on complex policy issues and to master technical detail, and to communicate this as simply and clearly as possible.
9. Effective as a part of a team and comfortable working flexibly in a changing and fast-paced environment.�
�We welcome skills and knowledge from a wide range of backgrounds recognising that subject-specific knowledge will often be developed in the role.�
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
10. Making Effective Decisions
11. Communicating and Influencing
12. Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �32,858, Department for Business and Trade contributes �8,871 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
13. Learning and development tailored to your role
14. An environment with flexible working options
15. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
16. A 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.