View Vacancy - CHEG21.196 Head of Trade for Development Team, Geneva
Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.
The United Kingdom Mission (UKMis) in Geneva is looking for an experienced and motivated individual to lead the Trade for Development Team. You will engage directly and through your team with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other multilateral organisations in Geneva to strengthen UK leadership and influence on trade for development, establishing the UK as a leading voice in this arena.
Roles and Responsibilities
You will help drive the formation of the UK’s position on all development-related files at the WTO. You will need to be comfortable operating autonomously in an uncertain and often fast-changing environment, gathering intelligence to provide high quality strategic advice to senior officials in London that helps shape UK strategies, policies and priorities, and substantive text for ongoing UK negotiations at the multilateral, regional and bilateral level.
You will need to build exceptionally strong networks – including at Permanent and Deputy Permanent Representative, and Executive Director level – with counterparts in diplomatic missions and other Geneva-based multilateral organisations (eg, UNCTAD), International Centres, Institutes and NGOs. You will drive UK priorities and enhance the UK’s reputation globally. You will also represent the UK on a number of WTO committees such as the Committee for Trade and Development and the Committee on Trade Facilitation.
You will oversee a portfolio of aid-for-trade programme spend in Geneva working through your team and in close cooperation with UK-based programme teams across relevant government departments. You may also act as the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for some programmes.
You will be expected to take a lead role in advising the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Department for International Trade (DIT) on new aspects of trade for development programming and policy, including how they contribute to ‘building back better’ from the COVID-19 pandemic and the Global Britain agenda. This will require direct engagement with government departments and and programme delivery partners. You will represent the UK Mission in Geneva on the UK’s National Trade Facilitation Committee, showing leadership in capital and with the private sector to establish the UK as a leading voice on this important work.
You will oversee arrangements for high quality engagements at key set piece events, visits and ministerial conferences that maximise impact for the UK Permanent Representative, Ministers and visiting senior officials.
You will set a clear vision for and give clear direction to your team to ensure delivery of the above objectives, as well as providing tailored support and coaching for your team’s wider development. You will make corporate contributions within the Mission as part of the wider Economic Team.
- Experience of working on governmental or institutional issues internationally; leading teams; building networks and engaging with a range of senior stakeholders, including those from governments, international organisations and civil society
- Fluent written and spoken English (minimum C2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages *)
- Experience of working with the WTO or related multilateral institutions or for a major donor government, preferably on trade and development issues.
- Experience of development policy or programme work; and knowledge of international development policy and practice, especially related to trade and development policy, and aid for trade programmes.
- French language skills
This is a full-time permanent contract, for 5 working days (40 hours) per week, at D6 level.
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and 3 months’ probation period.
Staff recruited locally by the UK Mission for the United Nations in Geneva are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Swiss employment law.
Please note that you must have the right to work and reside in Switzerland without visa sponsorship. (For information: EU nationals do not require visa sponsorship).
Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Switzerland and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.
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 UK Mission will not be able to meet any cost during the Recruitment and Selection process, Security Check nor the costs connected with relocation.
Information due to COVID-19:
- You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;
- Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;
- Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.
*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
