Head of Services Implementation and Market Access
Department for Business and Trade
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 7th May 2024
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About the job
Job summary
This opportunity is in the Trade in Services Team, which sits within the USID (US, Services, Investment and Digital) Directorate in the Department’s Trade Policy, Implementation and Negotiations Group. The Services team works to deliver an ambitious services trade agenda that generates economic and commercial benefit to the UK. This is an important and varied role. The UK is the 2nd largest global exporter of services. In turn, Services is the fastest growing area of international trade, forecast to reach 28% of global trade by 2035.
You will be responsible for one of the Services Implementation and Market Access teams. The team aims to open up markets for UK suppliers, improve rules on services trade and support the growth and success of the UK’s services sector, including through the implementation of the UK’s existing free trade agreements.
This role encompasses a wide and varied portfolio, including:
- Development and delivery of market access initiatives (outside of FTAs)
- Implementation of the UK’s trade agreements, including key economies such as Japan and Singapore, and flagship FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, by working across government, with businesses, and directly with international trade partners.
- Leading for the Services team on UK participation within CPTPP, as we prepare for accession and the General Review.
- Delivery for the Services sector within the UK’s new Economic Trade Partnerships, including with Taiwan and Thailand.
You will be working closely with colleagues across government in the UK and overseas to develop joined-up, evidence-based policy positions and delivery on the UK’s Trade in Services implementation and market access objectives. You will also be part of a dynamic senior management team and provide leadership across the Services team.
The priorities within the Trade in Services team do evolve and there will be further opportunities to shape the teams work according to those demands and the interests of the successful candidate.
We place a strong emphasis on learning and development. The successful applicant will receive a tailored induction programme, taking into account knowledge and experience.
We are a hybrid team with current team members based in Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London and Salford and welcome applications from candidates for any office location.
Job description
You will be a team leader, managing two SEOs and two HEOs to deliver on the implementation of trade agreements and securing market access for UK services suppliers. The job involves:
- Setting strategic direction for the team’s trade agreement implementation and market access work, recognising the need to prioritise across countries, sectors and agreements to maximise value and growth for the UK economy.
- Providing leadership and team management to motivate and enable a high performing team to deliver on an ambitious programme which requires working effectively with many other teams both within the department and across government, in the UK and overseas.
- Being a recognised services trade policy expert and effective communicator, advising senior officials, and ministers, as well as leading discussions with partner countries on resolving trade market access barriers.
- Playing an active role in the Services Senior Management Team, leading by example to set the atmosphere and culture of the wider team and covering for colleagues and seniors where required.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Experience of leadership and managing people and programme delivery at pace and working with ambiguity.
- The ability to think strategically and bring together multiple workstreams into cohesive and complementary approach.
- The ability to establish yourself quickly as a recognised expert. You do not have to be a technical expert in all areas covered by the job description to excel at this role, but should be able to showcase exceptional policy development skills that will allow you to quickly pick up a new area.
- A strong track record of working independently, and proactively offering solutions to existing and emerging issues.
- An ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, and to different audiences.
- A willingness to travel regularly to DBT’s regional offices to manage a co-located team.
Personal Attributes & Skills
We welcome policy and skills knowledge from a wide range of backgrounds recognising that subject-specific knowledge will often be developed in the role.
- A strong team leader capable of supporting and motivating a high-performing team whilst maintaining an inclusive and happy culture.
- Confident to engage on policy detail and make effective decisions in a way that brings others with them.
- Able to engage at senior level across the Department for Business and Trade and government to deliver.
- Proactive in seeking out opportunities to improve the way we deliver Services trade policy, including to prioritise and secure the highest value asks for the UK economy.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
- 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 average employer contribution of 27%
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
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 500 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 CV. 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.
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
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.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Pamela Strigo
- Email : Pamela.Strigo@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
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: Resourcing@businessandtrade.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
