Job description
Details
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Salary
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Type of role
Operational Delivery
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Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
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.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the UK’s international trade department Our Vision is to champion open and fair global trading that drives growth, creates better jobs and higher wages, and improves living standards in this country and around the world. The Department brings together policy and operational expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world.
The Tariff Operations team leads on several high-profile areas, including developing the UK’s domestic and multilateral tariff policy framework and implementation plans. The Tariff Operations team is vital to delivering the UK’s independent trade policy, working with policy and operational colleagues to ensure the UK’s trade policy is applied at the Border. The team also work closely with DBT’s Digital team to support the development of the Tariff Application Platform (TAP) which is the UK’s database for holding all tariff policy data.
We are advertising for a permanent HEO role in the team to support the operational delivery of HMG’s tariff and trade policies. This includes implementing tariff policy for all FTAs, trade remedies, disputes, tariffs and suspensions. The successful candidate will need to operationalise tariff and trade policies into the TAP system directly, taking responsibility for ensuring data is uploaded in a timely and accurate way.
The successful candidate will need to be able to work with teams across Government to agree the optimal way of delivering policy, including working closely with HMRC operational and technical experts. The role will build a strong grip on tariff issues and the ability to support policy owners with limited understanding or knowledge of operational delivery. The candidate will get import, export and trade policy knowledge.
You will need to be able to develop a strong working relationship with policy teams, as well as with the DBT and HMRC Digital teams, as you work with Digital colleagues to build and develop the TAP system to best meet policy colleagues’ needs. You should be able to articulate the Department’s position robustly and ensure DBT’s interests are credibly represented. A key part of the role will be to support the development of training, guidance and upskilling materials for the TAP system.
Comprehensive training would be given on how trade policy operates and how to use the digital systems for those with no previous experience of trade policy, though a background in an operational role would be advantageous.
Job description
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Update the Tariff Application Platform (TAP) system directly with tariff and trade policy data in order to ensure operational delivery at the UK Border.
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Develop expertise in how to operationalise tariff and trade policy, and develop a deep understanding of goods classification, commodity code structures, and a range of trade measures
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An ability to work closely with colleagues in policy, operational and digital teams across Whitehall and use your operational knowledge of tariff/trade delivery to guide delivery and determine the best method of implementation in customs and tariff systems.
- Work closely with Digital colleagues to support development of training/upskilling materials related to the TAP system. This will include drafting guidance, running training sessions and supporting the onboarding of colleagues across Government onto the TAP system itself.
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.
Support in applying for our vacancies is available by joining a virtual Candidate Support Session. These sessions include helpful tips and advice on the recruitment process, from application to interview.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Comfortable with delivering at pace and working in an environment which often has challenging deadlines.
- Ability to manage multiple work streams and switch between them as priorities change and evolve.
- Experience working with data including using large datasets in Excel.
DBT has a comprehensive trade policy training and development programme which is available to all staff.
Desirable Criteria
- Evidence of building effective working relationships with internal stakeholders across Government.
- Experience working with tariff and/or trade data.
- Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative.
- Attention to detail to produce high-quality and accurate work.
- An interest in international trade and the internal workings of government.
Person Specification
The Tariff Operations Officer role is an operational role that requires strong technical ability combined with working closely with policy, operational and digital colleagues across Government. This makes it an exciting area to work in. The successful candidate will reliable, approachable, and detail orientated in order to deliver on the UK’s trade policy ambitions.
The team often work at pace to challenging timelines, reflecting the ever-changing nature of policy development. The successful candidate should be adaptable, flexible and able to operate in uncertainty with resilience.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
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 05.06.2023
Interviews will take place week commencing 16.06.2023.
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and a personal statement.
Please align your CV with previous skills and experience. Maximum of 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 500.
In the event that there is a high volume of applications, a short sift will be conducted based on: CV
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.
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 International 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 International 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.
Vetting Requirements-
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 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 record If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.
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
Job contact :
Recruitment team
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