Negotiations Strategy and Policy - South Korea FTA Team

This is a critical role within the South Korea Country Team. We sit within the Trans-Pacific Negotiations and Policy Directorate, in the Trade Policy, Implementation and Negotiations Group. We are a fun, friendly and fast-paced team, working closely to deliver our collective objectives, and recognising the value of joined up working and collaboration.
The UK and Korea have launched negotiations to upgrade our current Free Trade Agreement (FTA). With Round Three due to take place in November, this is an exciting opportunity to work on a live trade negotiation, helping to deliver a key government priority, while working with a fascinating trading partner.
This is a key leadership role in the development of the overall strategy for these negotiations, and you will lead delivery of that strategy across a number of specific policy themes. You should be comfortable taking the lead across complex policy areas, working confidently with a range of teams across HMG to draw positions together, and be able to transfer quickly and flexibly between policy areas as priorities shift. This role reports to the Deputy Chief Negotiator and includes line management. Some overseas travel can be expected., + Take a lead role in shaping the future trading relationship with South Korea. This will involve building and deploying a negotiating strategy through formal negotiating rounds with South Korea, ensuring this strategy fits within wider DBT priorities.
+ Build a deep understanding of the policy areas across the FTA, including UK and South Korean interests and wider policy and tactical considerations. Support negotiations in a subset of these areas, confidently working with - and challenging - policy teams to craft a balanced approach that reflects our wider strategy.
+ Support substantial engagement with South Korea on the future of the UK’s trading relationship. The successful candidate will be able to confidently and independently engage Korean counterparts and support Ministers and senior officials in their engagement.
+ Build crucial relationships with other Government Departments, as well as FCDO colleagues at Post in Korea.
+ Work closely with policy, legal and analytical colleagues in the Department to ensure that policy development and negotiation text appropriately considers UK interests.
+ Carry out and intelligently consume analysis on UK business interests, including liaising closely with the Department of Business and Trade’s industry-facing teams; play a leading role in stakeholder consultation, external communications and engagement work.
+ Play an influential role in the leadership of the Korea and wider Trans-Pacific Negotiations team to contribute to a positive and inclusive working atmosphere for all. Being able to work in a flexible way to help us manage a changing and fast-paced policy environment.
+ Deliver concise and efficient drafting, including for internal and external Ministerial and Senior Official briefings., 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 (500 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.
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.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the Personal Statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your interview.
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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+ Experience working on trade policy or international negotiations.
+ Proven ability to line manage and deliver through others, overseeing multiple workstreams and tasks simultaneously.
+ Proven ability to think strategically in a fast paced and changing environment.
+ Ability to quickly pick up work as it emerges, delegate and drive it forward, and adapt to change.
+ Ability to engage, manage and collaboratively influence a wide range of stakeholders.
Desirable Criteria
+ Ability to lead written advice and briefings independently.
+ Ability to build relationships with a complex and wide range of colleagues, managing competing interests towards a common view.
+ Strong project management and planning skills.

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 employer contribution of 28.97%
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.