View Vacancy - Senior Policy Adviser to Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner, North America

Main purpose of job:

The British Consulate-General, New York is seeking a Senior Policy Adviser to Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC), North America, based in NY.

The officer will support the Consul General directly in his role as HMTC overseeing the UK Government’s trade and prosperity policy agenda and priorities across North America. The successful candidate will work closely with the Washington DC and Ottawa trade and prosperity policy teams and network of British Consulates across the US and Canada, co-ordinating the work which flows through HMTC and ensuring HMTCs views ae reflected in work across the network. The jobholder will oversee the Consulate executive office team, and support HMTC in their role on the Executive Committee of the UK’s Department for International Trade.

As well as working with the UK government network in the US and Canada, this job requires cooperation and engagement with London-based government departments, in particular the Department for International Trade, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Cabinet Office. The officer will also need to build excellent relationships with the Consuls General and senior policy leaders across the US and Canada networks.

It is a great opportunity to work at the heart of the UK Government’s prosperity agenda in two of our most important markets, as well as to demonstrate delivery through others, work across time zones, and engage with the work of a large network of staff.

Roles and responsibilities:

Background:

 Duties and Responsibilities:

Working alongside HMTC, develop and deliver a joined-up and strategic approach to the UK Government’s prosperity work in the US and Canada (including trade and investment promotion), including through:

-        Holding a strategic overview of the areas covered by HMTC (Trade & Investment promotion, Trade Policy, Economics, Energy policy, Science, Research & Innovation, Communications), identifying cross-cutting opportunities and risks and advising HMTC on how to address them including through engagement with Whitehall (and representing the HMTC in meetings/discussions as necessary);

-        Leading the co-ordination and delivery (through others) of the North America Regional Trade Plan;

-        Heading the secretariat for the US Network Prosperity Board (chaired by HMTC), working with trade & investment promotion team and policy teams to identify priorities, setting the agenda, commissioning and co-ordinating input;

-        Supporting HMTC in his role as representative of the overseas network on the Department for International Trade’s Executive Committee, in particular co-ordinating across the other HMTCs and preparing briefing papers for ExCo meetings; and

-        Leading the BCG New York executive office team who support the Consul General and Deputy Consul General.

The British Embassy Consulate-General 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.

Essential:

• 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 and investment policy; stakeholder engagement; project management
• Previous management experience is required; experience managing a large regional team and operation is desirable
• 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 Embassy 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.