Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford About the job Job summary The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is responsible for promoting British trade across the world. This is an exciting time to join DBTs Economic Security and Trade Relations Group, where you will have the opportunity to shape the UKs international trade agenda for years to come. The Goods and Tariffs team leads on several high-profile policy areas, including determining the import tariffs the UK should apply, establishing the UK as a leader at the World Trade Organization and other multilateral fora and wider goods trade policies including tariff suspensions and export restrictions. The team is therefore vital in supporting the UKs independent trade policy, and the UKs international reputation and position in institutions on the world stage. This is a challenging and rewarding role working at the intersection of policy and diplomacy, involving both technical and strategic work. The exact portfolio of the role will be determined with Government priorities in mind, but will initially include: Leading the UK Global Tariff input into the Trade Strategy and scoping work into how tariffs can support growth. Leading the UK Global Tariff policy response to global developments, drawing on a variety of policies from across the Goods and Tariffs team. Developing a coherent policy approach across our multilateral and domestic portfolio to emerging issues such as US tariffs. Developing a coherent strategy for our tariff policy, encompassing all levers including duty suspensions, Autonomous Tariff Quotas, reliefs and additional duties. Leading the Autonomous Tariff Quotas policy, which covers sugar and a number of fish products and involves working across Government and with external stakeholders to balance domestic, environment, consumer, developing country and health interests. Developing the DBT tariff position on low value imports, working with HMT and HMRC colleagues to agree an HMG position and advice to ministers. This is a stretching role that will require leadership and collaboration with your colleagues in driving forward a programme of work with multiple work strands, continually building capability and understanding of tariff policy. The Goods and Tariffs team embraces the Civil Services commitment to diversity and inclusion. We work on challenging issues but in a supportive and learning environment. We champion DBTs policies on flexible ways of working to accommodate a wide range of personal situations. Job description The responsibilities of the role include: Supporting DBTs Ministers and senior management, providing briefing and written advice where needed. Working collaboratively across Government to understand and craft well-evidenced policy positions on tariff policy. Helping to develop a large evidence base to inform strategy and complex positions, through working with analysts and using stakeholder intelligence. Engaging with UK businesses to gather evidence and to deliver DBT positions and policy with confidence. Direct line management of one FTE and task management of others across the wider team depending on the project. Person specification See the big picture and demonstrate high intellectual energy to identify links and opportunities in a fast-moving policy area. Excellent communication and influencing skills, able to persuade and influence others in a collaborative fashion, at different levels of seniority across Government, including ministers. Able to identify, evidence and analyse policy options with authority, drawing upon experts as appropriate. The candidate should have excellent judgement and political acumen. The postholder will be someone who can progress strategic objectives despite ambiguity and competing challenges. Essential criteria Leadership and management experience Experience of leading policy development in a complex area Experience working and managing relationships with other Government departments Excellent written and oral communication skills Ability to see the big picture and think strategically Desirable criteria Knowledge and experience of trade policy Strong economic or analytical background Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing Leadership Delivering at Pace Making Effective Decisions Benefits Alongside your salary of £55,836, Department for Business and Trade contributes £16,175 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities. Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours 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. 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. Short sift 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. Interviews Interviews will likely take place towards the end of February 2025. 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.grscabinetoffice.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. Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Ch eck 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.grscabinetoffice.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 Infodisclosurescotland.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 accessniani.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. 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. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Ria Carter Email : ria.carterbusinessandtrade.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : dbtrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email: Resourcingbusinessandtrade.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints. Attachments DBT candidate pack July 2024 (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 943kB) DBT T&Cs 19092023 Opens in new window (doc, 46kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail