Job Description
Job description
Contents
• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information
Location
Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford
About The Job
Job summary
We are recruiting for a Policy Adviser (Higher Executive Officer HEO) for the United States (US) team, which forms part of the International Strategy and Trade Relations directorate.
The primary focus of the US team is the delivery of sub-federal trade objectives in the United States. This is an exciting time to join the team as we rapidly progress work on our sub-federal trade agenda during a period of wider political change in the US.
The role would suit driven and dynamic candidates interested in developing skills and experience in trade and international affairs, capable of producing high-quality work to tight deadlines, and motivated to deliver outcomes for UK businesses and consumers.
Job Description
The successful candidates responsibilities could include:
• Drafting briefings for ministers to support meetings with key stakeholders, including counterparts in the United States.
• Reviewing the UKs approach to trade policy in the US, ensuring that it aligns with the UKs emerging Trade and Industrial Strategies.
• Horizon scanning for emerging policies, trends and opportunities in the United States.
• Planning and delivering impactful activity to help grow bilateral trade through the frameworks established by signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with US states.
• Planning ministerial visits, in conjunction with colleagues at Post, in private offices, and in the central Visits team.
• Developing effective communications assets, including core public lines working with colleagues in Communications teams.
• Supporting work to manage relationships with the Devolved Governments, Crown Dependencies.
• Working with local levels of Government, including Metro Mayors, to support their trade aims in the US.
• Supporting governance of the state-level trade agenda and engagement with partner Government departments.
• Supporting the wider work of the US team as required.
Person specification
The Role Requires a Candidate Who Can
• Build constructive relationships with partners including businesses, colleagues at Post across the US, and government officials.
• Analyse complex policy and regulation to understand trade barriers.
• Plan impactful activity to realise commercial benefits for UK businesses.
• Draft concise and accurate briefings for ministers paying close attention to detail.
• Contribute to positive team morale especially when the unit is under pressure.
• Grasp the politics of trade in the US.
We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Essential Criteria
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality written briefings (or equivalent product).
• Demonstrated ability to research and understand complex policy, regulation, and legislation and develop informed and relevant policy options.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and harness them to realise ministerial objectives influencing stakeholders as necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate proficiently both orally and in writing.
Desirable Criteria
• Experience working internationally or on international policy.
• Experience working on trade or trade policy.
• Experience of trade negotiation.
• Familiarity with the North America region and its politics.
Personal Attributes And Skills
• Adaptable
• Analytical
• Explainer
• Improver
• Negotiator
• Problem solver
• Relationship builder
• Strategic
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £34,254, Department for Business and Trade contributes £+,+23 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.+7%
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.
Things you need to know
Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
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 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.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the CV.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.
As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your 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 [email protected] 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.
Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 60+ 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300XXXXXX and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]
Vetting
SC - 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.SecuritySuccessful 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 ServiceThe 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 InclusionThe 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
About
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.Contact point for applicantsJob contact :
• Name : Glyn Rice-Mundy
• Email : [email protected]
Recruitment team
• Email : [email protected]
Further informationOur recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles. 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 DBT by email at [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: Civil Service Commission Complaints
Attachments DBT candidate pack July 2026.pptx Opens in new window (pdf, 1737kB) DBT T&Cs 1+0+2026 Opens in new window (doc, 46kB)
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Contents
• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information
Location
Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford
About The Job
Job summary
We are recruiting for a Policy Adviser (Higher Executive Officer HEO) for the United States (US) team, which forms part of the International Strategy and Trade Relations directorate.
The primary focus of the US team is the delivery of sub-federal trade objectives in the United States. This is an exciting time to join the team as we rapidly progress work on our sub-federal trade agenda during a period of wider political change in the US.
The role would suit driven and dynamic candidates interested in developing skills and experience in trade and international affairs, capable of producing high-quality work to tight deadlines, and motivated to deliver outcomes for UK businesses and consumers.
Job Description
The successful candidates responsibilities could include:
• Drafting briefings for ministers to support meetings with key stakeholders, including counterparts in the United States.
• Reviewing the UKs approach to trade policy in the US, ensuring that it aligns with the UKs emerging Trade and Industrial Strategies.
• Horizon scanning for emerging policies, trends and opportunities in the United States.
• Planning and delivering impactful activity to help grow bilateral trade through the frameworks established by signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with US states.
• Planning ministerial visits, in conjunction with colleagues at Post, in private offices, and in the central Visits team.
• Developing effective communications assets, including core public lines working with colleagues in Communications teams.
• Supporting work to manage relationships with the Devolved Governments, Crown Dependencies.
• Working with local levels of Government, including Metro Mayors, to support their trade aims in the US.
• Supporting governance of the state-level trade agenda and engagement with partner Government departments.
• Supporting the wider work of the US team as required.
Person specification
The Role Requires a Candidate Who Can
• Build constructive relationships with partners including businesses, colleagues at Post across the US, and government officials.
• Analyse complex policy and regulation to understand trade barriers.
• Plan impactful activity to realise commercial benefits for UK businesses.
• Draft concise and accurate briefings for ministers paying close attention to detail.
• Contribute to positive team morale especially when the unit is under pressure.
• Grasp the politics of trade in the US.
We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Essential Criteria
• Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality written briefings (or equivalent product).
• Demonstrated ability to research and understand complex policy, regulation, and legislation and develop informed and relevant policy options.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and harness them to realise ministerial objectives influencing stakeholders as necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate proficiently both orally and in writing.
Desirable Criteria
• Experience working internationally or on international policy.
• Experience working on trade or trade policy.
• Experience of trade negotiation.
• Familiarity with the North America region and its politics.
Personal Attributes And Skills
• Adaptable
• Analytical
• Explainer
• Improver
• Negotiator
• Problem solver
• Relationship builder
• Strategic
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £34,254, Department for Business and Trade contributes £+,+23 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.+7%
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.
Things you need to know
Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
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 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.
In the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift will be conducted on the CV.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to interview.
As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation, details will be provided prior to your 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 [email protected] 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.
Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 60+ 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300XXXXXX and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]
Vetting
SC - 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.SecuritySuccessful 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 ServiceThe 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 InclusionThe 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
About
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.Contact point for applicantsJob contact :
• Name : Glyn Rice-Mundy
• Email : [email protected]
Recruitment team
• Email : [email protected]
Further informationOur recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles. 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 DBT by email at [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: Civil Service Commission Complaints
Attachments DBT candidate pack July 2026.pptx Opens in new window (pdf, 1737kB) DBT T&Cs 1+0+2026 Opens in new window (doc, 46kB)
Share this page
• GMail
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Policy Advisor | United States sub|federal trade position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in Salford offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.
