Multilateral Green Trade Deputy Head

This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The newly created department oversees the domestic business environment, breaks down international barriers to trade and investment, and helps boost economic growth by ensuring the UK is a country where businesses can thrive.
We are recruiting for a Deputy Head in the Multilateral Trade and Environment team that sits in the Trade Policy, Implementation and Negotiations Group (TPIN). TPIN covers a range of activity, creating and advancing the UK’s trade policy ambitions through negotiations and international engagement.
The Trade and Environment Multilateral Policy (TEMP) team is responsible for developing UK policy on issues at the intersection between Government’s trade and environmental objectives, implementing them at home and abroad, and leading the UK’s international engagement in relevant multilateral fora, notably the World Trade Organization (WTO), G7, G20, etc.
This includes:
Ensuring that the UK’s trade policy supports the government’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, whilst maximising the economic opportunities from the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy.
Ensuring environmental policy objectives are complementary to trade ambitions and commitments.
The relationship between trade policy and environment plays an increasingly critical role in the global economy. This role will be responsible primarily for work on trade in ‘environmental goods and services’ and other aspects of ‘environmentally sustainable trade,’ alongside cross-cutting work to deliver the UK’s objectives in key multilateral fora.
This includes developing DBT’s policy position across a range on complex policy issues and representing these positions with confidence and credibility in international fora such as the WTO’s Committee for Trade and Environment. Your work will require close collaboration with a wide range of government and external stakeholders and have a significant international-facing component. This role will also require analytical skills and understanding, and the ability to confidently build relationships and lead policy projects from scoping phase to completion and delivery.
There will be some flexibility in role requirements to suit candidate experience and to meet the business needs at the time of appointment., Leading policy development and analysis on trade policy tools to support environmental outcomes and deliver UK insights and positions in multilateral fora. This will include working collaboratively across government to identify, prioritise and better understand the supply chains for key environmental goods, services and technologies, and presenting a vision for how trade policy interventions can be targeted to support objectives around green growth and the Governments core Missions. This also includes developing policy proposals for HMG strategies or for implementation in trade negotiations and/or domestic policy and driving these ideas towards fruition.
Representing the United Kingdom and influencing internationally. Developing and representing UK positions in international engagements – inc. multilateral fora – will be important. Likewise with industry, academics, think tanks, who other key stakeholders. The role-holder must be confident in understanding how to lobby for government proposals on an international stage, how to develop and deliver an engagement strategy, build coalitions of willing countries, and secure backing from political leaders.
Representing DBT in cross-government strategies and policies / influence HMG policy in line with DBT trade and business interests. Given the cross-cutting nature of green trade policy, building strong relationships with colleagues across government to support and influence HMG decision-making will be vital. The role-holder must be confident in managing and influencing senior-leaders, in coordinating amongst a large group of stakeholders to reach a consensus position and delivering at pace.
Building, maintaining and developing cohesive team across grades and across professions. Line management of 1-2 people is expected. This work is also inherently cross-disciplinary so working with analysts/lawyers – an ability to manage multiple diverse projects simultaneously will be crucial.
Being flexible, proactive and a role model on wider issues. The TEMP team covers a wide range of policy issues across both domestic and multilateral policy. A willingness to support other teams in intense periods will be welcome – as will an interest in role modelling (or even developing our team’s offer) on wider issues – e.g., wellbeing, inclusion, L&D, etc., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Leadership
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Working Together, Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.
Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.
To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:
+ A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the Essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
+ A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the Essential criteria.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date, though this is subject to change.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section on the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.
Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at DBTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Candidate Support
You may want to join a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.
Further Information:
+ A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
+ Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
+ The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
+ New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
+ Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
+ A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
+ Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
+ Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
+ This role may be considered as a secondment opportunity. Please reach out to the hiring manager listed at the bottom of this advert to discuss.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Vetting
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years. Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
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+ We are looking for someone who can provide leadership and strategic oversight, driving a compelling vision across a range of complex policy areas and driving forwards policy development in an ambiguous and fast-changing environment. Additionally, the individual should be able to demonstrate strong leadership abilities including the ability to contribute to team management, wellbeing and building inclusive teams and environments.
+ The individual should be comfortable with engaging in technical material including analytical data, economics, and legal materials.
+ You should be open to exploring new and innovative ideas and approaches and should take a collaborative approach to delivering outcomes, often choosing to empower others to deliver.
+ Our ideal candidate will be confident engaging with stakeholders, both externally with industry, academics, and international partners and internally within DBT, including at SCS level, and more widely across Government, generating commitment and shared purpose. This includes the ability to manage upwards and influencing stakeholders.
Essential criteria
+ Experience of policy development and/or economic analysis in government or another context.
+ Experience of engaging internationally
Desirable criteria
+ Experience of trade policy in government or another context.
+ Experience of decarbonisation, energy and / or climate change policy.
+ Experience overseeing and supporting a team.

Alongside your salary of £53,560, Department for Business and Trade contributes £15,516 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.