About the job

Job summary

This post is in UK Defence and Security Exports (UKDSE) which provides support and guidance to UK based defence and security companies with their export market objectives.  

The UKDSE SME Engagement team is situated in the  Operations  Directorate. The team’s work is a key part of DBT’s front-line delivery of support to SMEs in the UK defence & security sector to help them grow their export potential.  

The successful candidate will work to further the SME Engagement agenda in UKDSE in line with the SME Deliver Strategy. This will include, managing the day-to-day function of UKDSE Export Faculty (an online learning and development tool aimed at UK SMEs looking to internationalise), the management of the monthly SME Newsletter, engagement with the Devolved Nations, arranging and managing monthly SME Surgeries including regular engagement with key Trade Associations, supporting UK DSE attendance at a number of UK events, and developing new initiatives in close collaboration with teams across UK DSE and other UK Government departments.

Job description

The role will include:

Day to day management of the UKDSE Export Faculty to include:

• Recruitment, vetting and enrolment of new SMEs including introductory calls/meetings to establish their requirements
• Developing a programme of online webinars for SME consumption
• Flagging relevant news & opportunities from across UK DSE
• Arrangement of tailored support to cohorts
• Designing and distributing promotional material via online marketing system (including Export Faculty Website)

Management of the SME UK Export Faculty Database to include GDPR compliance.

• Responsibility of all communication to SMEs is GDPR compliant

Delivery of the UKDSE SME Engagement agenda to include:

• Sign posting SMEs for appropriate support
• Circulation of information such as events, webinars etc
• Support on site at selected events
• Presenting the UKDSE offer to SMEs and intermediaries

Management of regular UKDSE SME Newsletters including content and collateral.

Delivery of the UKDSE SME Surgeries including arranging venues, speakers, agendas and attendees.

Regular engagement with key Trade Associations to ensure closer collaboration and engagement with their members.

Additional duties depending on business needs.

Person specification

Skills and Experience

Essential Criteria 

• Experienced networker who is comfortable developing a network of close contacts within industry and across Whitehall
• Strong oral, presentation and written communication skills
• Strong stakeholder communication and management skills
• Experience of engaging with SMEs
• Experience of working in events/tradeshows
• Experience of working with Trade Associations
• Experience of working across diverse teams with Military colleagues
• Experience of working with the Devolved Nations
• Analysis/database experience 

 Desirable Criteria 

• Previous experience of working with SMEs
• Developing and delivery of programmes of online webinars
• Proven capacity to work across multiple stakeholders
• Ability to prioritise and multi-task to deliver results
• Knowledge of either the Defence, Security, Cyber Security or Civil Maritime sectors 

 Personal Attributes & Skills 

• Good Communication Skills both written and verbal
• Good eye for detail – particularly in terms of written copy
• Ability to deal with Stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to prioritise and multi-task to deliver results
• Proven capacity to work across DBT and government 

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.

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 (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. 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.
• This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.

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

SC - 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.   

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Feedback

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.