View Vacancy – TW – Head of Trade Policy, HEO

Roles and responsibilities:

1). Identify, analyse and prioritise market access issues for UK firms in the Taiwan market.

Work with Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Economic Section colleagues in the British Office Taipei, British firms in Taiwan, and government teams based in the UK to identify, analyse and prioritise the main barriers to trade. This will include leading on the annual survey of British businesses to collect feedback, working closely with the British Chamber of Commerce in Taipei. Report key updates to UK and regional colleagues, including through the UK’s Digital Market Access Service (DMAS) system. In particular, this role will lead on emerging trade policy issues such as financial services, advanced manufacturing (tech), investment and digital trade.

2). Develop and coordinate implementation of plans to resolve priority barriers.

Work with DBT sector leads in the British Office and in the UK to design campaign strategies for resolving priority barriers, and coordinate progress on these plans, holding teams to account for delivery. This will include making use of senior officials, visits and events. It could also include designing small projects to make progress on more complex issues. 

3). Support progress of the UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership

Working closely with the Economic section, DBT colleagues in post and the UK, and Taiwanese authorities to take forward discussions on the partnership pillars, agreeing handling plans for any public announcements, and ensuring that sector teams have a clear plan for implementation.  

4). Lead on organising and tracking follow up to annual Trade Talks

Work with ECG and DBT leads to agree agenda and programme for UK-Taiwan Ministerial Trade Talks (tbc early 2025). This will involve coordination of teams across the UK and Taiwan, providing clear communication on the developing programme, and keeping a clear focus on outcomes. This will require regular contact with officials in Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and other related agencies.  

5). Support line manager on wider international trade priorities

Including supporting Taiwanese engagement at the WTO, supporting engagement on CPTPP and wider international/multilateral trade priorities as needed.

6). Maintain strong relationships with the Taiwanese authorities and other key stakeholders

Dealing directly with important partners including both those who work on trade issues and those who lead on areas of particular interest to British business, for example the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Financial Supervisory Commission. 

7). Work with trade policy colleagues in the Asia-Pacific region

Taking an active role in building a cohort of trade policy and market access experts across the region, sharing experience and strategies through regular calls and learning and development sessions.  Feed into regional market access reporting and strategy documents.   

8). Line-management

The job holder will line manage one executive officer who will provide support on trade policy and market access issues, including leading on other relevant sectors: agriculture, energy and net zero, infrastructure, life sciences, F&B.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Line management for 1x EO trade policy officer
• Use of programme funding to deliver projects in related topics

Additional requirements:

• Occasional travel within Taiwan, Asia Pacific and to the UK.
• Support wider corporate goals across the British Office Taipei, working closely with other teams and senior managers.

Language requirements:

Language:  English and Mandarin

Level of language required:  Full professional fluency in English and Mandarin, written and spoken.