Import Sanctions Policy Adviser

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 408703

**Salary**:

- £34,254 - £39,994
- National: £34, 254 - £36, 142
London: £38,138 - £39,994
- A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

**Job grade**:

- Higher Executive Officer

**Contract type**:

- Permanent

**Business area**:

- DBT - ESTR - Global Trade and Delivery

**Type of role**:

- Communications / Marketing
International Trade
Policy

**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

**Number of jobs available**:

- 1

**Contents**:

- Location
- About the job
- Benefits
- Things you need to know

**Location**:

- Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, London, Salford

**About the job**:
**Job summary**:
As a team, we work to develop effective, impactful sanctions, which achieve the UK’s international, national security, and statutory objectives, and protect business and public interests. We play a leading role in developing and implementing new and existing sanctions with ministers, industry, and global partners - import sanctions are a core lever in HMG’s trade and economic security policy. Alongside policy development, the team review and issue import licences for sanctioned goods on behalf of the Secretary of State.

While the team has an interest in the import-elements of all UK sanctions, Russia is our key focus at present, constituting a key pillar of the Russia/ Ukraine response. Sanctions introduced since the invasion have reduced imports from Russia to the UK by around 99%.

The role receives significant Ministerial and senior attention, due to high parliamentary, media, and business interest in import sanctions. The team ultimately play a key role in DBT’s work to defend the UK’s interests and security, through the effective development and deployment of import sanctions.

**Job description**:
**Import Sanctions Implementation**: Support policy and operational solutions to emerging and cross-cutting issues in import sanctions. Work closely with other policy teams within DBT, and legal, as well as the FCDO, HMT, HMRC and other government departments to develop, implement and review import sanctions measures. Strengthen compliance, awareness and understanding of import sanctions measures through external and internal engagement.

**Communications**: This is a public-facing role, including first port of call for business and stakeholder engagement, with the role-holder empowered to respond directly on complex matters, or escalate as appropriate - this is managed primarily through a dedicated public inbox. This includes providing bespoke advice to HMRC and OGDs, often at pace, on sanctions and controls relating to individual consignments at the UK border.

**Briefing and correspondence**: Handling parliamentary, public, and business communication on import sanctions work, including PQs and FOI requests, and preparing briefs, advice or presentations for Ministers, Seniors and OGDs. This also includes maintaining a standard lines communication document and various logs and record management of engagement.

**Wider work**: Supporting wider work within the Import Controls and Sanctions team as required.

**Person specification**:
This role would generally suit someone who;
**Essential Criteria**
- Proven ability to work with a range of detailed and complex information, data and evidence; excellent written and verbal analysis skills, advice, briefing, and drafting skills, and attention to detail
- Evidence of working collaboratively across a range of stakeholders and audiences, including senior stakeholders/ ministers, to deliver outcomes; strong communication skills
- A team player who is flexible, proactive, and adaptable

**Desirable Criteria**
- Knowledge and experience of trade policy, particularly sanctions, tariffs, customs and/or economic security policies
- Experience of operating in an international environment and/or with industry/SMEs
- Experience of operating a public mailbox and/or delivering a customer service

**Personal Attributes & Skills**

The role will suit someone with the following attributes and skills:

- Keen attention to detail, whilst able to see the big picture and strategic issues
- Able to operate in a technically complex policy area
- Lateral thinker, who is able to identify and act on connections between issues across the Imports, broader trade policy space and HMG priorities
- Self-starter and able to work autonomously
- Able to manage challenging stakeholders
- Good coordination and management skills
- Good relationship building and engagement skills

**Behaviours**:
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace

**Benefits**:

- Alongside your salary of £34,254, Department for Business and Trade contributes £9,923 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.