View Vacancy - Senior Trade Policy Advisor (BEL19.158)
The British Embassy in Brussels is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. We are seeking to recruit a Senior Trade Policy Advisor.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK Government organisation that helps UK-based companies to succeed in Belgium and other international markets. DIT also assists overseas companies to bring high-quality investment to the UK’s economy.
The successful candidate will strengthen and reinforce our trade policy expertise in Belgium. They will work with DIT and the market access leads on ongoing strategic market access and trade policy issues; and for future potential negotiations/transitional arrangements, where required. This includes identifying the trade policy aspects of wider political issues; having a strategic overview on barriers to UK businesses; developing appropriate policy responses in conjunction with Whitehall colleagues and other partners as required.
There will also be tasks specific to the posting, likely to be engaging on specific trade policy issues important to Belgium leveraging influence and partnering depending on the influence and position of the host country and line management and coordinating responsibilities.
This position will be a role that will support the DIT Director, the DIT Team, plus wider Embassy colleagues’ engagement with business and trade, yet the person will be expected to work independently and be a self-starter with personal initiative and drive, along with strong interpersonal, team working, communication and policy skills and be comfortable working with senior level decision makers.
The Senior Trade Policy Advisor will report to the Head of Trade and Investment in Belgium.
This is an exciting policy development role at the heart of the Government’s agenda. The right candidate can help shape the dialogue between HMG and your host country at a pivotal point in trade relations, and candidates will gain experience of bilateral relationships and stakeholder engagement at a critical time for the UK.
There is an opportunity to develop knowledge of trade policy mechanisms, and access to FCO Diplomatic Academy, with encouragement to undertake the Trade Practitioner course.
In more detail, main responsibilities will include:
- Develop relationships with a range of stakeholders including government, industry and business, to build a network for information and influence;
- Develop and share understanding of trade policy priorities and identify emerging trade barriers;
- Address country-specific trade barriers/market access issues, influencing through established network or through other relevant channels;
- Contribute to regional strategies to address wider regulatory and trade policy issues (e.g. at EU level);
- Work closely with DIT and FCO colleagues, as well as wider cooperation between different missions and markets across the region, to ensure a one HMG approach;
- Advise and prioritise where HMG should focus its resource and attention to address trade policy priorities and trade barriers;
- Assist key Ministerial (and other) senior visits from the UK;
- Support the development of trade policy expertise across the DIT and FCO network;
- Line management and coordinating responsibilities;
- Contribute to the wider objectives of the bilateral DIT team.
- Masters Degree ( for example in Economics, Law and/or Management);
- Account management experience;
- Strong written and oral communication skills;
- Demonstrable analytical skills, the ability to make sense of complex information;
- Resilience, and the ability to work under pressure on a challenging portfolio independently;
- Flexibility and Adaptability under pressure;
- Some prior experience, or interest in, working on European affairs;
- Fluent in English; business level knowledge of French and/or Dutch;
- Availability to travel (this job position will require occasional travel in Europe and to the UK).
- Some relevant policy experience;
- Some previous or relevant experience of trade policy and market access issues;
- Some previous experience, or interest in, working on European affairs;
- Working overseas on behalf of Her Majesty Government;
- Stakeholder management skills;
- Line Management experience.
This is a full-time one year fixed-term contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week, with the possiblity of renewal.
The monthly salary for this position is €5,233.63 C4 (L) level.
Please note that Belgian nationals will be paid their salary gross and are expected to comply with their tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Belgian authorities. Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Belgian tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.
The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.
Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.
Visa/passport requirements: Must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Belgium and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered. Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Please be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
