Job summary
The Second Permanent Secretary is the Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser in DBT and heads the trade negotiation profession within the Civil Service. A deep expert respected on the international stage, they provide overall strategic and operational direction for the UK Government�s trade policy and the pipeline of Free Trade Agreements � most recently signed with Australia, New Zealand and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and now underway with India, Mexico, Switzerland, and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The agenda is fast paced and challenging, with close interest from and the Cabinet Office.�
Within the Second Permanent Secretary�s office, this role offers unparalleled exposure to the top-level workings of the department, HMG and the UK�s trade negotiations. It is also an excellent opportunity to develop and hone the skills required to progress further in the Civil Service.�
Job description
You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser & Second Permanent Secretary makes effective use of their time by:��
1. Managing and organising the Second Permanent Secretary�s diary.�
2. Planning and managing meetings, keeping people informed of changes and prioritising requests for the Second Permanent Secretary.�
3. Actively managing and reviewing office processes to deliver a quality service.�
4. Coordinating the logistics of domestic and overseas visits, including accommodation and expenses.��
5. Processing all invitations both from officials and external stakeholders enabling the Second Permanent Secretary to attend a variety of events, conferences and meetings.�
6. Managing the relationship between the Second Permanent Secretary and the department and acting as a representative for both when communicating with and meeting external stakeholders.
7. Ensuring the Second Permanent Secretary has the correct advice and briefing for all meetings and appointments.
Person specification
Skills and Experience
Essential Criteria�
8. Good interpersonal, team-working and communication skills.
9. Takes initiative, highly organised and able to prioritise workloads to meet tight deadlines.
10. The ability to work with minimal supervision particularly when dealing with matters relating to diary management.
11. Attention to detail and commitment to delivering a quality service.
12. Good analytical skills to process complex information, problem-solve and present workable solutions.
Desirable Criteria��
Experience of diary management is desirable but not essential.
Personal Attributes & Skills�
There is no single Private Office �type� - most important is a positive attitude, confidence and the ability to build great relationships with senior stakeholders. If that sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.�
We�d be particularly interested in hearing from you if you:�
13. Enjoy working in a fast paced, stimulating environment, and are looking for a job that offers significant professional advancement.
14. Are able to work well within a team.
15. Can find solutions to problems under pressure in order to help the private office deliver effectively.
16. Can efficiently use Microsoft Office products such as Outlook, OneNote and SharePoint.�
In return, we can offer you a job that:�
17. Helps you build the necessary portfolio of experience to advance to the next stage of your career.
18. Gives you frequent access to the department�s most senior stakeholders, including our Secretary of State, Ministers and Permanent Secretaries.�
19. Is both challenging and rewarding, and part of a high performing and supportive environment where people can bring their whole selves to work.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
20. Managing a Quality Service
21. Communicating and Influencing
22. Working Together
23. Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �31,185, Department for Business and Trade contributes �8,419 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
24. Learning and development tailored to your role
25. An environment with flexible working options
26. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
27. 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.