The Wider Europe, Middle East & Africa (WEMAF) team in the International Strategy and Trade Relations (ISTR) directorate leads the Department of Business and Trade’s (DBT) policy engagement with trade partners outside of formal negotiations. Across this region we are responsible for developing policy and strategies to support and improve the UK’s bilateral trade relationships, securing increased market access, and the implementation of trade agreements. To do this, we work strategically across government and with our networks to identify and deliver against the UK’s market access and trade policy objectives.
We are looking to recruit a motivated and proactive Higher Executive Officer to join the Middle East and Pakistan (MEAP) Team. The countries within the MEAP portfolio include the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates) as well as Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Pakistan.
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on initiatives across the MEAP region, dependent on the needs of the team. The role requires the ability to proactively drive agendas forward and to inform the direction set by team leaders and seniors. The role will allow the successful candidates to play a central role in developing and delivering policy positions, country-specific engagement strategies and solutions to any trade policy and market access issues that arise. This will involve working closely with colleagues overseas, wider government, and external stakeholders. The role may also include the implementation of trade agreements.
The role requires a strategic approach but will also suit those who enjoy managing a range of competing priorities at any one time. Learning & development is on offer to support the successful candidate in becoming an expert in trade policy and the role provides an excellent platform for further career development and promotion.
We are a friendly, collaborative and inclusive team. We expect the successful candidate to play their part in building and maintaining a positive and vibrant culture across the wider WEMAF team, actively supporting various corporate activities.
We believe that diverse and inclusive teams are the most successful and so strongly encourage applications from a wide range of backgrounds and working patterns.
Knowledge of trade policy is helpful but not a prerequisite. Far more important is your commitment to contributing to a positive and inclusive culture within the team, your enthusiasm for the role, and your commitment to personal development.
• Develop policy positions and solutions with DBT and other government department experts and deliver upon these in support of our trade policy objectives.
• Identify, scope and prioritise market access barriers, devising strategies and implementing action plans to drive resolution.
• Deliver high-quality written and oral briefings, to seniors and ministers.
• Represent the team across a range of DBT and cross-Whitehall fora, leading and contributing to meetings where needed.
• Maintain and develop networks across DBT, other government departments and posts to aid the delivery of our objectives.
• Contribute to an open and inclusive team culture across WEMAF.
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