View Vacancy - Trade and Agriculture Administrative and Policy Officer, Washington D.C.

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 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.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Global Issues Team

Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic person to join the Trade and Agriculture Policy Team as Trade and Agriculture Administrative and Policy Officer. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, supporting work at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.  In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment to support UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

The Trade and Agriculture Policy Team deals with all bilateral and multilateral trade issues and works to promote the UK’s trade and agriculture policy interests and inform UK policy development.  This is an exciting time to work at the heart of a new UK-US trade relationship.

This is an important position, supporting the team’s work and presenting opportunities for standalone policy research and reporting. The job-holder will be enthusiastic about promoting UK trade policy interests in the United States and passionate about helping the UK to understand the US. The successful candidate will have an interest in trade and agriculture issues, and prior experience of working in these areas would be beneficial. 


Roles and responsibilities:

    Administrative support to Trade and Agriculture Policy Team [70%]

    • Manage contact and event databases; input into embassy events; schedule meetings; book and manage travel; administer expenses; prepare drafts of letters and reports; help with finance requests.
    • Coordinate programs and logistics for team members’ visits to other cities.
    • Lead Trade and Agriculture Policy Team information management
    • Monitor and profile expenditure by the team.

    Trade and agriculture policy support [30%]

    • Conduct research for the team including policy reports, analysis of trends and background for meetings.
    • Support the trade team’s external engagement: mapping stakeholders and tracking meetings.
    • Draft policy and bio briefings for meetings.
    • Track trade and agriculture policy news, events and developments on specific research topics; brief team members and London stakeholders on results.
    • Attend seminars and conferences (e.g. at think-tanks) in the DMV and report back on key points.

    Resources managed:

    None.

    Essential on arrival:

    • Organisational and interpersonal skills, together with an ability to work well with others on a wide range of issues.
    • Excellent research skills, including ability to think creatively, problem solve, and seek out answers proactively.
    • Clear and concise oral and written skills.
    • Flexibility in a team setting, with an enthusiastic approach to work.
    • Ability to work independently, and efficiently complete administrative tasks.
    • Interest in / knowledge of trade and agriculture policy issues.

    Language requirements:

    Language: English

    Level of language required: Fluent

    Other:

    Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. *A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas. 

    Desirable:

    • A minimum of 2 years relevant commercial, government or NGO experience is desirable and/or a Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field such as trade policy, political economy, business or finance
    • Data analysis experience
    • Knowledge or interest in UK policy strengths and priorities.
    Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
    17 August 2022
    Administrative Officer (AO)
    Full-time, Permanent
    40
    Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
    United States
    Washington
    British Embassy
    1
    USD
    $21.36 per hour
    10 October 2022

    Learning and development opportunities:

    The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

    Other:

    The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. 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. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed. The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.

    Working patterns:

    The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home at least one day a week.  We are an organisation that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. 

    Other:

    Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. • 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.

    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.