View Vacancy – Trade Policy Officer

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Washington, DC, is seeking a Trade Policy Officer to join its Trade, Economic Security and Agriculture Policy Team based within the Global Issues, Trade and Economic Group.  The team is responsible for all bilateral and multilateral global and trade issues and works to promote the UK’s trade policy interests in the US, and to inform UK policy development. This team works closely with trade promotion and investment colleagues and you will have a key role in working across teams and ensuring coherency with federal level trade policy.

The main aim of this role will be to support the British Embassy’s delivery of HMG’s growth mission and a UK-US trade strategy. This will include monitoring and reporting of trade and industrial policy and legislative developments, with particular insights into how that is relevant to the UK-US trading relationship and is shaping the wider policy environment. This is a chance to collaborate closely with the British Government, Congressional staffers and industry experts. 

Given the fast moving nature of trade policy, the ideal candidate will be a self-starter who enjoys getting to grips with new and emerging aspects of trade and industrial policy quickly. You will need to build credibility with subject matter experts and be able to support other members of the team. We are looking for someone with a can-do attitude who enjoys working with others. At times this will require being flexible and being able to support the key priorities of the day.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.  In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Drive the team’s Congressional engagement strategy and reporting on legislative bills and hearings where there may be trade and economic security implications for the UK (50%FTE).
• Track think tank activity, open source research and trade association materials to understand UK and US industrial policy priorities, including identifying potential growth opportunities or potential risks (25%FTE).
• Support senior trade policy advisors on delivering HMG’s growth mission and trade strategy, including by supporting the the US Network’s internal Growth Board (25% FTE).
  

Resources managed: 

•    Staff: Expected to manage one individual.
•    Budget to cover project expenditure, hospitality and travel.

• Some relevant congressional, trade, commercial, government or legal experience is preferred.  Less professional experience will be considered for candidates with advanced degrees or exceptional, relevant experience.
• Previous work experience in an international business or government relations environment. The successful candidate would ideally have detailed knowledge of some or all of the following: Congress and the Administration; trade policy; stakeholder engagement; and the US legislative/regulatory process.
• Proven ability to form professional relationships and build trust with a wide range of contacts.
• Must be a proven self-starter with the ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) and a proven track record of translating a wide range of data and political reporting into concise briefing is essential.
• Attention to detail, strong judgement, problem-solving abilities and service delivery.
  

US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.