About the job

Job summary

The UK’s economic security has become of increasing importance in recent years and is now one of the top priorities for the Department for Business and Trade, as geopolitical shifts have exposed vulnerabilities and dependencies within global trade and countries have sought to use these to their advantage. 

We are looking for an experienced policy professional to fill an exciting Grade 7 role in the team which looks across DBT’s interests in the high-profile economic security policy area. We build strategic positions, respond to fast-moving issues, and engage and influence HMG to ensure DBT’s agenda on economic security can be effectively delivered. We are leading DBT’s overall approach to this important area, which was an area of focus in the Integrated Review Refresh published in 2023 and has been a key theme in recent G7 discussions at leader level.

The team is responsible for influencing cross-government on behalf of DBT and preparing Ministers and senior officials for key discussions. We engage with international partners on economic security and lead DBT’s approach to prioritising which partners to engage with. We also lead on engagement with business on economic security issues. The team includes DBT’s Cyber Hub, which works with the National Cyber Security Centre and other departments to increase cyber resilience across UK businesses. 

Job description

The role holder will be responsible for: 

• Leading DBT preparations for relevant Cabinet Committee meetings covering economic security issues. This includes preparing briefing for the DG ESTR for official level pre-meets as well as the Secretary of State and other Ministers.
• Building robust, load-bearing relationships with the National Security Secretariat team in the Cabinet Office that coordinates economic security work across government, and with other departments such as the FCDO, HMT and DSIT.
• Developing and delivering DBT’s international strategy on economic security and leading engagement with international partners, both multilaterally including the G7, and through bilateral dialogues - both formal and informal. Key partners include the US and EU, as well as a range of other countries.
• Establishing a collaborative network across DBT policy teams and Economic Security Officers based overseas in order to be able to coordinate responses to fast-moving issues and drive forward international engagement priorities.
• Providing written and oral briefings for meetings involving Ministers and senior officials, and supporting them to deliver Parliamentary business.
• Line Manager for 2 x SEO.
• Being a supportive and flexible member of a friendly and fun team. 

The above responsibilities may change to reflect government priorities and the evolving economic security landscape. 

Person specification

Essential Criteria 

This role would suit a substantive Grade 7 or experienced SEO with security experience looking to further hone their policy skills. 

• Proven experience of building and maintaining networks across Whitehall departments to deliver shared priorities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to flex to different audiences as needed.
• Able to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and build and maintain positive relationships internally and externally - including where stakeholders have objectives that are at odds with your own.   
• Strategic thinking with the ability to see the bigger picture and make recommendations to Ministers and senior officials based on robust evidence. 
• Applicants should hold a valid DV clearance

Desirable Criteria  

• Knowledge and / or experience of working on economic security issues.
• Experience of working with international partners in both bilateral and multilateral settings. 

Personal Attributes & Skills 

We are looking to recruit someone who is intellectually curious about economic security and the broader geopolitical context that our work is situated in. You will not enjoy this role fully, or be effective, unless you enjoy making the connections between geopolitical and economic developments and your day-to-day work. But you will also need to have keen antennae to filter out the noise and focus on the most important priorities. Most important of all is that you are an enthusiastic and quick learner who enjoys working in fast-paced environments and can balance competing priorities.  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £53,560, Department for Business and Trade contributes £14,461 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

After the closing date It is likely that the sift will take place within 1 week after the closing date and interviews 2 weeks after the closing date though this is subject to change. 

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 750 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.   

In the event that there is a high volume of applicants, a short sift will be conducted based on 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 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.

Vetting

The requirement for DV is to have been present in the UK for at least 5 of the last 10 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

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.