Policy Officer London, England
Job description
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About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
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Location
About the job
Job summary
This recruitment is continuing as usual, but candidates should be aware that following the Government’s announcement on the changes to some civil service departments, roles will be located in the new Department for Business and Trade. We will provide more information if you are selected for a role. This work remains of high importance to the civil service, and we thank you for your continued interest.
This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade. Our aim is to promote British trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. The Department brings together policy, promotion, and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed.
In the aftermath of the illegal attack on Ukraine by the Russian government, the Department established a permanent Trade Sanctions team, based in Trading Systems Group, to lead on coordinating legislative packages to sanction trade with Russia. The response to the crisis has placed significant additional pressure and novel requirements on our sanctions system, and we now have a larger, higher profile body of work with far greater operational requirements.
The Trade Sanctions team is increasing its capability in both implementation and enforcement. A large expansion is planned for these purposes, which will deliver on key areas including guidance, outreach, monitoring, and enforcement. As part of a newly forming team to meet these challenges, you will have the opportunity to help shape its remit and culture, ensuring that the team delivers on this high-profile area of trade policy. As this is a new team, the successful candidate will need to recognise that responsibilities will evolve over time.
Job description
Policy - Initial priorities for this role will focus on developing the policy that will underpin our new Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) regime which will ensure effective enforcement of trade sanctions. You will draw on examples of similar regimes in the UK and internationally to ensure our policy development is robust.
Legislation – Working with others in the policy team, you will take forward work to enshrine the CMP regime in legislation at the very first opportunity. This will require close working with our legal team and with Government Legal Department’s Sanctions Implementation Hub.
Collaboration and engagement - Develop effective relationships internally and externally, and with other strategically important stakeholders. Understand the risk and opportunities and leverage those relationships to deliver our policy objectives.
Communication and briefing - You will need to be able to create accurate briefings at pace, to ensure that senior officials, Ministers, and other relevant stakeholders have the necessary information and understanding to effectively support decision
Hybrid Working
The role will be based in either Darlington or London. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Informal hybrid working arrangements will be available as agreed with the vacancy manager and in line with the requirements of the role. Most DBT employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending 2-3 days a week (pro rata) in an office, on average. If your office location is London, you will be eligible to receive London weighting.
Appointments will be made to candidates in merit order based on location preferences.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to quickly distil complex subjects into clear written advice, briefings and products.
- Experience of working collaboratively with external stakeholders to deliver key administration priorities.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, and acting to reassess workloads and priorities when required.
- A willingness to be flexible and a team player.
- Must have or be willing to obtain SC to be eligible for the role.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of sanctions policy.
- Knowledge of and/or experience of the legislative process, having been involved in delivery of primary or secondary legislation.
Personal Attributes & Skills
- The role requires you to bring excellent organisational and communication skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks, the ability to work across boundaries and with good judgement.
- It will require you to be resilient, bring organisation and empathy as you work as part of a team working closely with others across DBT and across Whitehall at pace and under pressure.
- You will be able to work in an environment of uncertainty and continual change. Able to feel comfortable making decisions and setting direction without having the full picture and re-focus as details emerge.
- You will be flexible and willing to reorient your work as priorities change and new areas of policy emerge.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Benefits
- 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%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
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.
Sift will take place week commencing 29/05/2023
Interviews will take place week commencing 12/06/2023
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and a Personal Statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please align your CV with previous skills and experience. Equivalent to 2 A4 Pages.
In your Personal Statement, please explain your motivation for applying for this role and the extent to which you satisfy the essential and desirable requirements of the role. Maximum word count of 750.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
For this role, the Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. Please note we are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
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 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 [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
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.
Please note – the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
The Department for Business and Trade embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation.
Please note – harmonised terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
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. 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 [email protected] 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 an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
SC
All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK.
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.
If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.
Checks will be made against:
- Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
- UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
- Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Security Services records
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DIT by email: [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints
