View Vacancy - AUS - Trade Policy Officer C4(L)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Political

Applications are invited for the position of Trade Policy Officer at the British High Commission Canberra for a fixed-term contract of 2 years.


The job holder will play a key role in shaping and delivering UK trade policy objectives in Australia as the UK prepares to leave the EU. Together with other colleagues in the High Commission’s Economic Diplomacy team, they will engage with a range of stakeholders in Australia and provide policy advice to a number of UK government departments, most notably the Department for International Trade (DIT). They will help to drive the newly established bilateral trade working group, which ministers have announced will explore the parameters of a possible future free trade agreement. This will include building a detailed understanding of the Australian market and working with trade and investment officers across the UK’s Australia Network to identify key challenges and opportunities for UK businesses. They will support visits by UK ministers and senior officials in both directions, have opportunities to develop and run innovative projects, and contribute to the wider work of the Australia Network.

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate trade policy experience, strong strategic awareness, excellent written and oral communication skills, the ability to develop productive relationships and think creatively about how to achieve policy objectives, and a strong track record in delivering results.

The jobholder will need to be adaptable to emerging organisation priorities and may be called upon to assist in other portfolios as required.


Responsibilities will include:

  • Supporting the new trade working group, which will explore the parameters of a possible future free trade agreement as well as exchanging views on broader international trade policy issues and ways to advance free trade globally (e.g., in the WTO and plurilateral negotiations) 
  • Contributing to development of UK trade policy by providing expert analysis on the Australian market and market access issues and identifying opportunities to enhance the bilateral trade and investment relationship. This will include developing a detailed understanding of relevant domestic policy developments and likely UK and Australian priorities across a number of sectors.
  • Working with trade and investment officers across the UK’s Australia Network systematically to develop a full picture of the priorities of UK businesses in the Australian market and to identify the specific opportunities and trade and investment barriers they face.
  • Building a strong network of contacts across all relevant parts of the Australian government as well as trade bodies, civil society and business. 
  • Designing and implementing campaign activity to support UK trade policy objectives, including an engagement plan aimed at building wide stakeholder support. 
  • Drawing on an understanding of Australia’s approach to trade policy and negotiations to inform the development of the UK’s new structures and processes. 
  • Providing policy and practical support to visits by trade ministers and senior officials in both directions. 
  • Working flexibly and contributing to the wider work of the political, trade and investment teams, turning your hand to new policy areas and other duties as required.
  • Demonstrated trade policy experience, possibly with a degree in trade policy, economics or a related subject, or equivalent expertise acquired through work experience
  • Good understanding of Australian trade policy and the ability to explain complex trade issues to non experts
  • Familiarity with recent developments in Australian domestic and international economic and trade policy
26 July 2017
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
Asia Pacific
Australia
Canberra
British High Commission
1
AUD
98,663
1 September 2017

Salary is at AU$ 98,663 per annum (paid out monthly), plus 11% superannuation.

Initial appointment is for two years. The formal job description may be subject to amendment in the future.

Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.

Open to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and partners/ dependents of UK-based diplomatic staff currently posted in Australia.

Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission and its Consulates is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Australian employment law.

The British Government supports flexible working practices. Interstate applicants will be required to meet their own travel and relocation expenses. 



All applications must be received before 11:55PM AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on 30 July 2017.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

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.