Senior Policy Officer (International Trade)

In DHSC, we are proud of our purpose – to enable everyone to live more independent, healthier lives for longer. To achieve this, and create a great place to work, we have four values: we are inclusive, we constantly improve, we challenge, and we are agile. If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you.
The EU, Trade and the Union Directorate plays a crucial role in our approach protecting the health of the UK and leads on negotiating and implementing international agreements, including trade and cooperation agreements and the Windsor Framework.
Our vision is to keep people’s health safe at home and overseas by building strong relationships with our national and international partners. We deliver post-Brexit health and care reforms on reciprocal healthcare, international trade, NHS cost recovery, medicines and medical devices, retained EU law and lead the Department’s relationship with the European Commission.
Our work is pacey and wide-ranging, and provides the opportunity to lead work across DHSC, with other government departments including HM Treasury, Cabinet Office and No 10, DHSC agencies, partner organisations and stakeholders. You will have regular exposure to Ministers and senior officials.
You will be part of a friendly, supportive and diverse team – turning ambiguity into clarity and communicating complex policy issues to senior management, Ministers, Devolved Governments and international partners.
The EU, Trade and the Union Directorate is regularly amongst the highest scorers on staff engagement in the Civil Service People Survey and you will have an opportunity to continue to make DHSC a great place to work in an inclusive, constantly improving, challenging and agile environment.
If this sounds like an environment you’d like to work in, we’d love to hear from you., The International Trade Team, within the EU, Trade and the Union Directorate, is looking to recruit two Senior Policy Officers.
The remit of the International Trade team is to protect and promote our health and care interests within the UK’s trade agenda. We do this by leading work to develop DHSC’s approach on trade policy, working across government to ensure that our interests are reflected in the UK’s wider approach to trade, and ensuring that we work effectively with the relevant internal and external stakeholders in this area to deliver the best outcomes.
Within the team, these SEO roles will focus on supporting trade policy work as part of the negotiation of Free Trade Agreements as well as the development of DHSC's wider trade strategy. These are high-profile aspects of trade policy that play a leading role in protecting the NHS in trade deals as well as maximising trade opportunities for the life sciences sector. The post-holders will play a key role in developing the trade policy that will underpin the UK’s negotiating approach, as well as ensuring that we are proactively working to secure the delivery of our objectives through the negotiations.

Person specification
Role responsibilities
Given the fast-paced nature of the work, there may be a need for the post-holders to work flexibly to support evolving priorities across the team, but the key responsibilities of the roles are likely to include:
+ Researching and developing our trade policy on regulatory issues relating to medicines and medical devices, working across government and with life sciences stakeholders as required;
+ Maximising opportunities for the life sciences sector while maintaining the UK’s world-leading standards by supporting work to agree trade provisions which promote regulatory harmonisation on medicines and medical devices;
+ Supporting development of a refined international trade strategy for DHSC, including leadership of workstreams to build relationships across the department and wider government to enhance understanding of trade policy issues related to health and social care;
+ Engaging and influencing across government to ensure that our priorities are reflected in the UK’s wider approach to its trade work;
+ Supporting preparation for upcoming negotiations, including the briefing needed by negotiators, and ensuring that we are following up on actions from each negotiating round;
+ Supporting the implementation of relevant aspects of trade deals where required, including working with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) on relevant legislation;
+ Working with Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and other government departments to assess specific trade barriers faced by UK companies in particular countries, and agreeing joint plans for resolving these;
+ Playing a cross-cutting role across the team in supporting our efforts to negotiate trade deals, including through supporting project management and governance., Opportunities for some working from home may be available; other flexible working options may be discussed with the hiring manager in line with individual circumstances and business need.
There are a limited number of DHSC colleagues who have existing agreed homeworking contracts resulting from Our Future Estate Programme 2023-2024. Colleagues covered by these arrangements are eligible to apply for this role whilst continuing their agreed existing home working arrangement. Occasional travel to DHSC offices or other locations may still be required according to business need. Travel and subsistence will be provided in line with the pre-agreed homeworker arrangements.

Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Making Effective Decisions
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Communicating and Influencing, Please use your statement of suitability to (in no more than 750 words) outline how you meet the key skills and experience required for the role as set out in the job advert
An initial sift based on Lead Behaviour (Seeing the Bigger Picture) may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
At interview candidates will be assessed on Behaviours and Strengths
To find out more about working in the department please visit our page on the Civil Service Careers Website here
Applicants who are appointable but were not successful in appointment to this vacancy, may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months, and contacted if similar vacancies become available.
Please be aware that some travel may be required across the DHSC estate.
Please note that applicants will require SC clearance. For SC clearance, candidates must have been a resident in the UK for the past 5 years
This role is being advertised on a permanent basis. If preferable, Loan or Secondment options will also be available for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited NDPBs or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
Terms and Conditions
Candidates should note that DHSC’s Terms and Conditions of employment changed from 1 October 2013. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.
New Entrants to the Civil Service
New entrants appointed in grades AA to G6 will receive DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions:
+ Annual Leave: 25 days on entry rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff
+ Privilege Leave: 1 day - for the King’s birthday
+ Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
+ Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): one month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months’ full pay and five months’ half pay
+ Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allow staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
+ Probation: 6 month probation period
Existing Civil Service staff transferring from another Government department, on either level transfer or promotion
All staff moving to DHSC will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Existing DHSC staff, appointed on promotion
If DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions are already held, the employee will retain those terms and conditions. If DHSC’s pre-modernised terms and conditions are held, the employee will transfer onto DHSC’s modernised terms and conditions (as outlined above).
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Any move to DHSC from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Contact Government Recruitment Service via cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be
carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring 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.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting
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 had their employment continued. Any applicant’s 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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

+ Have previous experience working on policy, such as developing or implementing a policy or strategy.
+ Have good communication skills, both written and oral, and the ability to explain complex issues and adapt your communications to meet the needs of different audiences.
+ Be able to confidently build and maintain strong relationships with a range of stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, to achieve desired outcomes
+ Be able to work independently and as part of a team, balancing a range of competing priorities whilst ensuring deadlines are me
Desirable:
+ Experience working on trade policy, particularly in relation to technical barriers to trade and/or health-specific trade issues.
+ Knowledge on international trade agreements, including how they are developed and implemented.
Your normal place of work will be your contractual primary workplace, usually either London or Leeds. Within DHSC we offer non-contractual hybrid working. The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time spent in the office, enabling in person interaction and collaboration and enhancing team working, learning, and support.

Alongside your salary of £40,025, Department of Health and Social Care contributes £11,595 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%