View Vacancy - Senior Trade Policy Adviser

Main purpose of job:

The British Network in the US is seeking a Senior Trade Policy Advisor to join the British Consulate General in Houston.

The officer, while based at the Consulate General in Houston, would work closely with the British Consulate General in Los Angeles (for Arizona and Utah) and the Trade Policy Team based in the British Embassy in Washington DC. The Trade Policy Team deals with all bilateral and multilateral trade issues and works to promote the UK’s trade policy interests and inform UK policy development. The UK’s vote to leave the European Union, its development of a sovereign trade policy capability, and the likely pursuit of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US makes this an especially exciting time.

The successful candidate will report to the Consul General in Houston (and the Consul General in LA for Arizona and Utah) and to the Trade Policy Team in DC. The primary purpose of the role is to support the development and implementation of a strategy to build support for a strengthened UK-US trade and investment relationship (including a potential future UK-US Free Trade Agreement) across the US. The officer will be expected to travel regularly to, and build a comprehensive picture of trade policy, opinions, and opinion formers in the 7 States in their geographical region (Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Arizona and Utah). You will use this knowledge to: help shape the UK’s trade policy priorities; develop strategies to deepen our engagement on trade policy issues at a state level; identify and develop strategies to overcome state level market access barriers; and identify priority audiences and develop tailored messaging to build support for increased UK-US trade across the US, and ultimately, successful passage of a UK-US FTA

The role will involve engaging directly with a wide range of stakeholders across your geographical region including state, city and local-level governments, business, business associations, and local congressional offices. You will work closely with other members of the Trade Team based in DC as well as with policy leads in London. You will collaborate with the dynamic and diverse team within the Consulate and across the wider network, including those covering:   trade and investment promotion, science and innovation, political affairs, energy and tech policy and communications and marketing. Working with this team, you will help prepare programmes for senior British visitors to your region, ensuring that the visits are tailored to achieve maximum positive effect for the UK’s trade policy interests. There will also be opportunities to get involved in the wider corporate agenda in the Consulate (e.g. crisis response, learning and development).

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Background:

Duties and Responsibilities:

Support the development and delivery of a strategy to build support across the US for a strengthened UK-US trade and investment relationship, including a future UK-US FTA. In your specific region you will:

The British Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.

At present confirmed funding for the position runs for eighteen months, but we envisage this role to be multi-year through the life of the influencing strategy.

 Minimum Qualifications/Experience:

• A minimum of 8 - 10 years relevant commercial, government or NGO experience is required.
• A minimum of a bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required, a graduate degree is preferred.
• The successful candidate would ideally have detailed knowledge of some or all of the following: trade policy; economics, stakeholder engagement; Congress and the Administration; and the US legislative/regulatory process.
• Must be a proven self-starter with the ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) and a proven track record of translating a wide range of data and political reporting into concise briefing is essential.
• Attention to detail, strong judgment, problem-solving abilities and service delivery.

Under US State Department requirements, the British Network may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Green Card holders or A visa holders*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at the Embassy. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk. All candidates will be subject to background checks and security clearance.

*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates.  The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.