About the job

Job summary

1:1 Session : Igor Gavran, Head of Economics Unit is offering the opportunity for a 1:1 session to discuss about the role, ahead of the application closing date. Email Igor.Gavran@traderemedies.gov.uk if you would like to arrange one.  

A great opportunity to join our highly regarded and well-respected team of analysts, investigators, lawyers and policy colleagues, who together play a central part in ensuring that the international trading environment is fair and free. 

The Organisation:  

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) is one of the first public bodies to be set up to meet the new needs of the UK following its departure from the European Union. We are a growing organisation of over 150 people, headquartered in Reading – a stone’s throw away from Reading Station.  

Our mission is to defend the UK economic interests against unfair trade practices such as dumping, trade-distorting subsidies and unforeseen surges in imports.  We do this by investigating whether new trade remedies are needed to prevent injury to UK industries caused by unfair trading practices, making recommendations on appropriate measures to defend UK economic interests. 

The work: 

The Economic Interest Test (EIT) forms part of our process for investigating trade practices which may be causing injury to UK industry. We are required to conduct the EIT in almost all investigations and reviews where we recommend imposing or extending a remedy measure.  

For examples of recent Economic Interest Tests, see E-bikes (TRA Investigations - Trade Remedies Service - GOV.UK (trade-remedies.service.gov.uk) and TRA Investigations - Trade Remedies Service - GOV.UK (trade-remedies.service.gov.uk)) and Corrosion Resistant Steels (CRS): TRA Investigations - Trade Remedies Service - GOV.UK (trade-remedies.service.gov.uk) 

Job description

The role: 

Reporting to the Head of Economics Unit, you will act as trusted authority on trade remedies-related analysis and lead on undertaking the Economic Interest Test (EIT) within an investigation. This will involve gathering data from a range of sources and considering the impact of a proposed trade remedy measure across a range of factors. 

Your findings will help to produce evidence-based recommendations for the Secretary of State on whether the remedy measure is in the economic interest of the UK.  

Duties and responsibilities:

• Lead on analytical aspects of investigations and reviews by providing expert advice to colleagues and other stakeholders. 
• Use a range of tools and techniques to produce the analysis and evidence needed for effective and informed operational decision making (literature reviews, qual/quant analysis).  
• Communicate your findings effectively through written, oral and visual presentation. 
• Work collaboratively with other analysts to build and set appropriate standards and approaches for use of evidence and to evaluate risks. 
• Manage team workstreams and build team capability within the team, supporting the development of junior colleagues and setting clear priorities and direction for the team.  
• Work towards meeting strategic objectives and supporting colleagues on training and development.  
• Support Investigation Case Team with tailoring questionnaires,, reviewing responses and triangulating lines of enquiry, and engaging with industry stakeholders to capture evidence of the impact of proposed remedies.  
• May have line management responsibility for one or more Senior or Higher Executive Officers.

Note: As our organisation expands it’s casework and takes on new challenges, the precise scope and areas of responsibility of this role may evolve.  

Person specification

Essential Skills and Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree (or higher) in Economics (2:1 or above).  
• Proven experience working as a professional Economist. 
• Member of the Government Economic Service (GES) or willing to undertake membership within 12 months of appointment. 
• Ability to undertake analysis to provide evidence-based recommendations, using quantitative and qualitative analysis to influence and challenge in a fast-moving policy and operational context.
• Ability to communicate analysis to non-specialists, so that the evidence is understood and used appropriately to support policy advice and decision-making. 
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, with the credibility and ability to build excellent collaborative relationships with key internal and external stakeholders in a diverse internationally focused area of work. 
• Ability to take ownership of and lead on analytical work streams, with effective planning and prioritisation skills and the ability to work flexibly and handle high-profile cases. 
• Ability to motivate, inspire and guide teams, setting direction and demonstrating commitment to development and progression. 

Desirable Skills:

• Interest in, or knowledge of, trade policy, trade data and operating in an international trade context.
• Some knowledge of international trade and trade remedies in the WTO and/or EU context.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,392, Trade Remedies Authority contributes £14,955 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, Experience and Technical skills.

How to Apply

Application:

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement.   

Shortlist:

The Panel will shortlist applications based on CV and Personal Statement.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift.

Interview:

The interview assessment will consist of a Presentation / scenario-based presentation followed by a Behaviour, Experience and Strength-based interview .

The behaviours that you will be assessed against at the interview are Making Effective Decisions, Leadership, Communicating and Influencing and Delivering at Pace. 

Expected Timeline:

Closing Date: 07th July 2024. 

Shortlist: Week commencing 08th July 2024. 

Interviews: Week commencing 22nd July 2024. 

Offer: Week commencing 29th July 2024.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to TRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. 

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: 

Contact Government Recruitment Service via TRArecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. 

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional. 

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

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. 

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.