View Vacancy - Trade Policy Officer

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Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

The British Embassy Algiers currently has a vacancy for a Trade Policy Officer that will cover both Algiers & Tunis, grade C4 (L).


This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in a new role created in recognition of trade policy’s significance to HMG’s prosperity agenda. DIT and the FCO are working closely together on trade policy to deliver HMG’s international trade and investment strategy, leveraging the FCO’s overseas network, to promote British trade and investment across the world as part of a broader process of supporting Algiers and Tunis, and beyond, to promote trade as a key driver of growth and development. Trade and trade policy are becoming an increasingly important part of foreign policy as the UK prepares to leave the EU and establish the UK as an independent trading nation. Working in a joint DIT-FCO role brings together the opportunity to work on trade policy, including market analysis, trade promotion and financial issues to help break down barriers to trade and investment. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to a high profile agenda in which Ministers are closely engaged.

 

Main Purpose of the Job:

The job holder will examine market access issues – including those linked with non-tariff barriers, behind the border barriers (e.g. better and more transparent regulation), and public-private sector interface. This is an important issue for both countries and for British firms trying to enter the market.

Whilst both governments are addressing the market access issues in different ways both are keen to attract new and diversified investment. Both Governments also recognise that they need to reduce or at least better manage bureaucratic non-tariff and broader barriers to new market entrants if they are to create more diversified economies. 

The job holder will also take a lead role in ensuring that there is an effective transition in trading relations as the UK leaves the EU, and look for opportunities to deepen the trade relationship, for instance through a focus on exports to the rest of Africa and making better use of existing preference utilisation with Europe.

The job holder would lead on identifying the market access bottlenecks, and transition issues, and on proposing prioritised solutions to these matters. The job holder would work closely with the Embassy’s economic, trade and programme teams who are already working to identify where the UK can provide technical assistance to support the ease of doing business. The job holder might also support or manage programmes which to contribute to their objectives.

The job holder would need to have a strong outward facing skills, developing relationships with key stakeholders and developing partnerships between trade bodies – particularly important post Brexit. The job holder will also be expected to assist with trade diplomacy skills development within the Embassy, and be an active member of the Economic Diplomacy Working Groups that exist in both Embassies.

The job holder would, in addition to leading on the market access issues noted above, also take a sector interest, such as education, services and agri-processing. The job holder will work as part of a wider network of trade policy officers, supporting the four North African countries. There will be an expectation that specialist skills (e.g. specialist sector knowledge) should be used across the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• The jobholder will be responsible for increasing the Embassy’s understanding of the tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade and look for opportunities to improve the regions trading prospects in line with the Association Agreement.

• The jobholder will be required to identify barriers to market entrants into Algiers and Tunis, and that both countries make fuller use of their existing preference privileges.

• The jobholder will be responsible for devising prioritised solutions to those market access issues and to help British companies use that understanding to gain access to both markets.

• The jobholder will be required to have excellent networking and stakeholder management skills.

• They will be required to have a good understanding of the Moroccan political and commercial systems in both countries.

• The jobholder will need excellent French and English language skills.

Key competencies required:

Seeing the Big Picture - Seeing the big picture is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs.

Leading and Communicating - Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.

Collaborating and Partnering - People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done. It requires working effectively, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions.

Delivering at Pace - Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. It’s about working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way.

• Fluency in English, French and Arabic (both oral and written);

• A degree level education, in business, management, economics or international studies

• Experience of working in business.

• Excellent customer relationship management skills;

• Excellent IT skills, including the ability to use social media tools to support activities;

• Flexibility for occasional out of hours work and travel

• A good understanding of the UK and local business scenes.

25 August 2018
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
37.5
12 months
Middle East & North Africa
Algeria
Algiers
British Embassy
1
DZD
1 October 2018

Remuneration, working hours and other benefits:

The Embassy offers an attractive working environment and remuneration package for the role, including: net salary of 168,767.95 DZD per month; 25 days paid leave annually along with up to 14 days paid public holidays. This is a full time, fixed term for a one year.

The confidential nature of the work requires and the work must be carried out at the Embassy. Conditioned working hours are 37.5 hours per week. Normal working hours are 08:00 – 15:30 Sunday to Thursday.

Application Process:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents along with their online application form:

1. A covering letter.

2. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above in the cover letter or in the Motivation section of the application form. Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (local time) on 25 August 2018.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.

Due to the large amount of applications the Embassy receives, only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.


The British Embassy Algiers is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.