About the job

Job summary

The Goods Regulation team supports UK trade by reducing of regulatory barriers for non-food products through the UK's Technical Barriers to Trade (‘TBT’) policy. This includes developing the policy for core TBT chapters in the UK's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with our trading partners, as well as being responsible for the UK's trading relationship with the EU on technical barriers to trade and more broadly manufactured goods regulations including Northern Ireland as part of the Windsor Framework Agreement.

We are recruiting for two stretching and exciting roles, which will offer an excellent opportunity to lead the delivery of policy and implementation work on manufactured goods regulation regarding technical barriers to trade in goods. We are seeking candidates who have the passion and ability to make a real difference to our work and team culture, and who are excited by the opportunity to help craft the UK’s trade agenda for the benefit of UK consumers and businesses. This role is ideal for those who wish to develop their strategic leadership, influencing, and critical thinking skills.

The Directorate encourages a diverse and inclusive team culture and active corporate contributions at all levels. Ambitious workstreams on Diversity & Inclusion, Wellbeing & Work-Life balance and Learning & Development reflect this. These roles are suitable for flexible working and can be based in London, as well as a number of regional locations.

About the Role – Trade Policy Advisor

The first of these roles will offer a central role in delivering trade policy commitments on manufactured goods that seek to minimise regulatory burdens and support UK businesses through our FTAs, Mutual Recognition Agreements (‘MRAs’), and international agreements. You will do so through shaping policy, working closely with colleagues across Government and engaging with a wide range of UK businesses to further identify stakeholder needs for your policy areas.

About the Role – Northern Ireland Trade Policy Advisor

The second of these roles will play a central role in the delivery of policy and implementation work on manufactured goods regulation under the Windsor Framework. Your focus will be on facilitating trade in manufactured goods in Northern Ireland through managing regulatory burdens and supporting businesses. You will do so through shaping policy and delivery projects, working closely with colleagues across Government, and engaging with counterparts in Northern Ireland and the European Commission.

Job description

The team is recruiting two individuals to lead the development of policy relating to goods regulation and technical barriers to trade. Whilst the postholder will need to be flexible in responding to Ministerial priorities, key responsibilities are expected to include:

Trade Policy Advisor

• Driving the development of trade policy in two key areas of TBT, Transparency and Market Surveillance, working closely with lawyers, analysts, and regulatory experts across the Department;
• Leading the development of TBT trade policy with respect to specific sectors and corresponding annexes in our future trade negotiations, building relationships with key business stakeholders as well as colleagues in other Government Departments;
• Supporting the wider policy development and stakeholder engagement activities of the team, including briefing Seniors as required
• Advising and supporting lead TBT negotiators on specific country negotiations, ensuring regulatory and business interests are reflected throughout; and
• The successful candidate will support leadership of the wider TBT policy team.

Northern Ireland Trade Policy Advisor

• Driving the planning and delivery of governance structures under the Windsor Framework concerning manufactured goods regulation, including leading preparations for meetings with EU counterparts on regulatory developments;
• Supporting the implementation of the 120+ manufactured goods regulatory regimes in the Windsor Framework through working closely with FCDO and other government departments;
• Building capability amongst internal and external partners on regulatory arrangements for manufactured goods to support delivery of the Windsor Framework;
• Briefing and advising Minsters and Seniors on urgent issues, responding to stakeholder requests, and preparing business guidance; and
• The postholder will have line management responsibility for 1 HEO and will support leadership of the wider Northern Ireland team.

We are committed to personal and team development and improvement and expect that the postholders will play an active role in the directorate’s work in helping to build a positive, inclusive 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 activities.

The role will be based in any of DBT’s 7 locations: London, Cardiff. Belfast, Edinburgh, Salford, Birmingham, Darlington. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.  

Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas.  

Support in applying for our vacancies is available by joining a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• A strong interest in developing technical trade policy expertise.
• Possess strong leadership and organisational skills, able to not only plan but also reassess workloads and discuss priorities if situations change or you face conflicting demands at pace.
• Be a confident and strong communicator able to represent the Department in meetings with senior partners and stakeholders.
• An ability to consider different sources of information; identifying risks, issues, and opportunities; and having the initiative to act on these and the judgement to decide when to escalate.
• Strong understanding of the bigger picture and sensitivity to local and national politics.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience developing policy, particularly trade policy.
• Experience working on trade negotiations, international engagement, or EU exit.
• Understanding the interests of UK businesses and experience managing stakeholders.  

Personal Attributes & Skills

• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with groups and individuals with conflicting viewpoints.  
• Use sound judgement to find solutions to policy challenges.
• Provide high quality policy advice to Ministers and senior civil servants; able to clearly explain complex issues in written and verbal briefings.  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £39,384, Department for Business and Trade contributes £10,633 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.

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.

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.

In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. 

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.

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.

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 

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.