Job summary
The Trade and Investment Negotiations - Goods (TING) directorate plays a pivotal role in coordinating tradeinterests and leading the UK government's policies formanufactured goods. We deliver and implement trade policy and agreements whichreflect the needs of UK businesses, so that exporters can be successful and competitiveinternationally, whether with Europe or the rest of the world.�
The directorate is focused on harnessing skills & data to develop and deliver trade policy that works for UK businesses. We achieve this by sharing our leading-edge expertise, brilliant analysis, upskilling colleagues across the department, and using our cross-Government insights to solve complex problems. Our directorate is comprised of experts in policy, analysis and international trade, plus a dedicated strategic delivery team.�
Our directorate is a great place to work and develop your career, while acquiring new skills through a range of learning and development opportunities. Our directorate takes inclusiveness and diversity seriously and respects difference, as championed by our diversity and inclusion group. Wellbeing and work-life balance is also made a top priority, as well as ensuring that the directorate is open and friendly.
The UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) team is responsible for large parts of the UK�s approach to product marking for manufactured goods, specifically the UKCA marking and recognition of the EU�s CE marking. This covers around �200 billion worth of goods annually. Parliament passed legislation in May this year to continue CE recognition for certain UKCA regulations, and the team continues to develop the strategic approach, working closely with other departments and industry.
The team�s current priority is supporting the passage of the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill, which was introduced to the House of Lords in September. The Bill will provide new powers to bring forward regulations to address emerging product safety risks and support economic growth, including by continuing to recognise the CE marking where it is in the UK�s interests to do so.
The roles will have responsibility for policy in the Bill and in developing and delivering subsequent legislation. This will involve regular engagement with seniors, Ministers and colleagues from across government and externally to develop and agree the approach on a range of policy matters.
These are stretching G7 roles, working with colleagues across the department, government, and externally to deliver legislation and develop policy and strategy to support economic growth.�
Job description
There are two roles available:
Head of UKCA Policy�
This role holder will be responsible for ensuring the policy underpinning UK�s Product regulatory regime is fit for purpose and well designed. The role holder will be comfortable working with technical and complex regulations and working very closely with lawyers and technical experts to design and recommend government policy. They should also be able to translate this technical policy into clear and effective advice for seniors and ministers.�
Head of UKCA Delivery and Implementation�
The role holder will be responsible for leading their team to deliver technical and complex policy, including to promote a joined-up approach across different sectors and regulations. They will be comfortable working closely across departments with sometimes competing priorities. The role holder will be responsible for leading teams through ambiguity as well as delivering legislation both primary and secondary legislation to support businesses, growth and regulatory stability.�
You will be part of the leadership team, overseeing the delivery and governance of important workstreams, including by:
1. Having a keen eye for detail, understanding what technical policy and legislation means for businesses. Being able to identify how technical policy connects with broader priorities, for example supporting economic growth. You will be able to develop and deliver technical policy, including being able to confidently advise seniors and Ministers how policy options can support broader objectives.
2. Developing productive relationships within DBT and across government to understand complementary policies and strategies to inform how to situate UKCA marking and CE recognition.
3. Working with and influencing departments responsible for UKCA regulations to make sure DBT interests are considered and to promote a coherent approach across government.
4. Delivering plans to engage with businesses, trade associations, and other interested external organisations in the UK and abroad, to understand their views and priorities, to inform policy and strategy development. �
5. Line management responsibilities for up to 5 team members, supporting their development and empowering them to lead on their areas of responsibility.
6. Overseeing governance arrangements to ensure seniors and ministers are appropriately engaged, that timely decisions are made and risks are managed effectively.
Person specification
Skills and Experience
Essential criteria
7. Leadership: You will inspire and motivate your team, building capability and empowering them to be fully engaged in their work and dedicated to their role. You�ll be comfortable leading through periods of ambiguity, and in setting an inclusive culture.
8. Communicating and influencing: You will use your excellent stakeholder management skills, building partnerships quickly and effectively. You will have the ability to adapt your communication style to influence and suit the audience, translating technical policy matters for seniors, Ministers, parliamentarians, and others. You will lead a collaborative team that works effectively across government and externally, and is able to stand its ground as required.
9. Deliver at pace: You will be able to organise and lead a team to deliver a high-quality service for seniors and Ministers, often to tight parliamentary deadlines. By developing your team and making sure there is a balance of responsibilities, you will be able to deliver a range of priorities.
10. Seeing the big picture: You will build a strong understanding of the overall objectives of the government, department, group and directorate, using this knowledge to shape the workstreams your team delivers. You will be able to connect technical policy matters to broader strategic priorities, advising Ministers on material issues that could influence wider objectives.
Desirable criteria
11. Experience delivering primary or secondary legislation.
12. Experience working on technical, legal, regulatory areas, or business or trade policy.
13. Experience engaging with, and presenting confidently, to industry domestically or internationally.�
We�re looking for someone who invests in their people, providing direction, coaching and support to bring out the best in the team. �
You�ll be able to see the big picture, weigh up the pros and cons, and confidently advise seniors on policy options strategic direction, identifying solutions that work for businesses, consumers, and the wider economy.
You�ll need to be highly organised and able to work at pace to manage multiple priorities, and confident in taking decisions in ambiguity to progress work. �
An eye for detail is also needed, to make sure top-quality work is provided to seniors and ministers. And brilliant interpersonal skills, including confidence in engaging with and influencing people at all grades to problem solve and create connections.�
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
14. Leadership
15. Communicating and Influencing
16. Delivering at Pace
17. Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �53,560, Department for Business and Trade contributes �15,516 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
18. Learning and development tailored to your role
19. An environment with flexible working options
20. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
21. A with an employer contribution of
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.