About the job

Job summary

The Trade and Investment Negotiations for Goods Directorate is part of the Trade Policy, Implementation and Negotiations Group, in the Department for Business and Trade. Our directorate plays a pivotal role in coordinating trade interests and leading the UK's trade policy for manufactured goods. We deliver and implement trade policy and agreements which reflect the needs of UK businesses, so that exporters can be successful and competitive internationally, whether with Europe or the rest of the world.  

The Product Regulation Policy and Engagement Manager role sits in the product regulation team, which works to develop and implement the UK’s product marking approach – including both the UK’s own UKCA marking and continued recognition of the EU’s CE marking. This includes an extensive programme of communications, engagement, and policy development. 

You will take on an exciting area of work to support engagement and policy development. You will need to work with experts across government and industry to understand key issues and gather evidence. You will need to use your problem-solving capability, analytical thinking and understanding of the bigger picture to support development of deliverable policy proposals.  

You will lead engagement with a variety of stakeholders. This is likely to involve identifying and planning key engagement opportunities both domestically and internationally to ensure the UK’s product regulation approach is well understood. You will also work closely with communications and engagement professionals to develop information and guidance to support businesses. Your role will involve opportunities to travel domestically and potentially internationally to meet key stakeholders and represent UK government at industry events. This could include round-tables, trade fairs and conferences.   

You will also contribute to the team’s project management approach, ensuring work is carefully planned, monitored and delivered. We place a strong emphasis on planning our work whilst being responsive to emerging priorities so you will need to be both organised and adaptable.   

Our directorate is a great place to work and develop your career, whilst acquiring new skills through a range of learning and development opportunities. TING takes inclusiveness and diversity seriously and respects difference, as championed by our diversity and inclusion group. Well-being and work-life balance is also made a top priority, as well as ensuring that TING remains an open and friendly directorate free from bullying, harassment and discrimination. 

Job description

We are recruiting for a stretching HEO role that will provide an opportunity to lead work and engage with stakeholders at a senior level. We are seeking a candidate who has the passion and ability to make a real difference to our work and team culture, and who is excited by the opportunity to help craft the UK’s trade agenda for the benefit of UK industry and consumers.

This role will provide great opportunity for development, covering many aspects of core civil service skills. You will join a high-performing team and will work collaboratively with a diverse group of people including colleagues across DBT and in other departments to deliver in fast-moving and often changing circumstances. You will be supported by a friendly leadership team who prioritise inclusion and team development. 

• Supporting development of the UK's product regulation policy, ensuring the UK’s approach meets the needs of industry and priorities of ministers.   
• Supporting high-quality engagement with industry, ensuring technical policy is delivered effectively through a range of events including roundtables and trade fairs.  
• Managing relationships with a range of stakeholders, including at senior levels, including trade bodies, large manufacturers and conformity assessment bodies.  
• Managing industry intelligence and using it to help shape policy development.  
• Supporting the creation of guidance and content to help businesses in the UK and around the world understand how to comply with the UK's product regulation requirements.   

The role is a fast-paced environment, and the postholder would further support the team's matrix structure.  

The role is suitable for flexible working. Several of the team currently work flexibly, and support will be given to ensure that the role fits with personal circumstances.

The role may include some UK and international travel. The current team are based in our London and Edinburgh offices and we are committed to creating opportunities in the team across the UK.  If the successful candidate is recruited from outside of London the role will require some travel to London.  

Person specification

Essential Criteria 

We would like to hear from you if you have: 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex information effectively under pressure.  
• The ability to build strong professional relationships with both colleagues and industry stakeholders to deliver on organisational priorities.  
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan work and balance competing priorities in a busy environment.  
• The ability to use a range of evidence to make informed decisions and recommendations. 

Desirable Criteria  

Whilst not crucial, it will be beneficial to this role if you can bring: 

• Experience working with external business stakeholders. 

Personal Attributes & Skills 

We are proud of the inclusive and diverse nature of our friendly team.   

We are committed to personal and team development, learning and improvement and expect that you will play an active role in the directorate’s work in helping to further build on our positive and supportive team environment. We will work with you to find opportunities for stretch and challenge, so you develop and hone your skills. All team members also invest time in corporate activities for the team and wider DBT. 

Our work can be fast paced and subject to significant change at short notice, thus your ability to contribute to our collaborative approach by demonstrating strong interpersonal skills is paramount. 

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. 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.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception. 

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way. 

After the closing date It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 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 of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.  

As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your 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 /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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.  

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk  

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk  

Vetting 

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 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 security check (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.