View Vacancy - Trade, Policy and Economic Officer - Santiago
Main purpose of job:
This role is split across the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). DBT is the UK’s department for economic growth, that supports businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the UK. The FCDO promotes the United Kingdom’s interests overseas, supporting UK citizens and businesses around the globe. The British Embassy in Santiago leads on diplomatic relations with Chile.
This role is based 50/50 across the DBT Team in the Embassy, that leads on tackling market access barriers and expanding trade and investment links between the UK and Chile and the Prosperity Team (FCDO), the team that covers Climate Change, Trade Policy, Economic Diplomacy and Science and Innovation within the Embassy.
The job holder will contribute to the UK government’s efforts to strengthen the trade relationship with Chile by analysing and reporting on current bilateral trade and supporting the development of trade policy with Chile, both through the UK’s bilateral trade agreement with Chile (including through the UK-Chile Trade Dialogue and annual Chile Day) and multilaterally via CPTPP. They will also work on multilateral policy issues via the World Trade Organisation and other multilateral trade initiative (e.g. the UK’s observer role in the Pacific Alliance). The job holder will also provide regular analysis and reporting on the Chilean economy.
The successful candidate will be fluent in English and Spanish, able to cultivate a wide range of contacts in Chile and the UK in the sphere of trade and economic policy. The role will be based in the British Embassy, Santiago and report to the First Secretary, Economic and Trade.
Roles and responsibilities:
Trade & investment is at the centre of the UK government’s foreign policy objectives. You will be working to support delivery of the UK’s ambition to increase exports to Chile, using CPTPP and the UK-Chile Association Agreement (FTA) as the main platforms for increasing business exchanges. You will also support activities in financial services and support work done by the DBT Head of Investment to attract Chilean businesses to the UK.
Your main responsibilities will be:
Economic reporting: Support the DBT Country Director and First Secretary Prosperity in other ad-hoc trade-related tasks, including producing reporting on the Chilean economy and key trends and contributing to high-level events and visits, including any economic briefing and keeping economic briefs up-to-date. Produce UK economic brief for BritCham quarterly report, based on UK-issued data.
Support ongoing collaboration initiatives between the UK and with Chile´s public sector authorities: Prepare and plan for visits, events and meetings, e.g. briefings for the Ambassador or senior visitors, organising events and activities related to trade. Reporting on relevant policy developments on trade and economic issues
Trade Policy Analysis: Monitoring policy developments to inform analysis and UK policy decision, including relating to market status, bilateral trade patterns, private and public sectors priorities and risks or opportunities for future bilateral trade. Act as part of regional trade policy network in Latin America, including helping to build capacity in the region and supporting regional initiatives.
Trade Policy Delivery: Supporting the UK’s bilateral and multilateral trade policy relationship with Chile, including through CPTPP and WTO, building strong relationships with relevant Chilean authorities and monitoring relevant developments. Contributing to delivery of trade negotiations and related implementation structures, such as the UK-Chile Trade Dialogue.
Chile Day & Financial Services: Lead UK government involvement in Chile Day event, working with Chilean Embassy in London and InBest to ensure the success of the event. This will include maintaining links with financial services companies in Chile (asset managers, pension funds, insurance, etc.) to support enhanced UK-Chile atrade and investment in these sectors.
Resources managed:
Trade Policy Officer budget for work-related travel and hospitality and the opportunity to bid for further project funds via the FCDO and DBT funding streams.
Essential on arrival:
- Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent work experience) in Trade, Public Policy, Economics, International Relations, International Business or related subjects.
- Relevant experience in trade policy, regulation or related fields.
- Evidence of strong interpersonal, communication and relationship management skills.
- Evidence of delivering positive results through collaboration and networks.
- Evidence of excellent written and spoken communication (English and Spanish)
- Must have the legal status to live and work in Chile.
Language:
Fluent written and spoken English and Spanish
Level of language required:
Fluent Spanish speaker (C2 or native) and business-level (C1 or above) English.
Desirable:
- Previous experience working/interacting with Chilean or UK Government stakeholders, or Chilean or UK private sector actors on trade policy, or experience in international trade negotiations.
- Knowledge of UK policy and business landscape.
As well as the monthly salary the post holder will receive a meals allowance CLP 120,000 and Transport allowance CLP 55,000.and an Annual bonus (Aguinaldo) of CLP $275,000.
Learning and development is an integral part of working at the British Embassy in Santiago, and the DBT Latin America and Caribbean (LATAC). In conjunction with your line manager, you will identify and develop a learning and development plan, including relevant training, to support your role and future career interests.
This will include a full induction process and opportunity to travel to the UK for induction meetings, training and introduction to working with the British Government.
Mentoring and job-shadowing opportunities available within the Embassy and wider network. L&D opportunities will also include:
- Compulsory online training courses include Diversity and Inclusion.
- Courses offered on UK government trade policy, including our monthly ‘Trade Nerds’ L&D activities
- The British Embassy has an active L&D Committee and offers a wide range of in-house training and funding for external training on policy and programme work
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
Working patterns: Full time; 36 hours per week
Opportunity to work in a diverse and multicultural work environment. Net working hours are 36 per week i.e. Mon-Thu 09:00–17:30 (with a half-hour lunch break) and Fri 09:00-13.00, allowing for a good work/life balance. Some flexibility will be required during periods of exceptional workload.
There is scope for flexible working patterns – remote technology will enable role holder to work from home on certain days. But essentially the job holder must be available to work from the Santiago Embassy on regular basis as this job will also involve delivery of visits and events, face-to-face meetings with colleagues and project implementers, etc.
The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow."
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate
This opportunity is closed to applications.
