Senior Investment Negotiations and Policy Adviser

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is responsible for promoting British trade across the world and ensuring the UK takes advantage of the opportunities open to it following the UK’s departure from European Union (EU). This is an exciting time to join DIT where you will have the opportunity to shape the UK’s international trade agenda for years to come.

The Investment team develops UK policy on investment treaties. The team leads bilateral and multilateral negotiations on investment policy. Bilaterally, this includes investment content in free trade agreements (FTAs). This role will focus on multilateral negotiations and policy, including work across the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).

This is a fast-paced and exciting area of trade policy with significant levels of ministerial, cross-Whitehall, and international exposure. We have an ambitious programme of trade negotiations, so you will likely work on negotiations across multiple multilateral organisations.

As a Senior Policy Adviser, you should be able to collaborate across Whitehall, with external stakeholders, and with legal and analytical teams within the Department. You should also be able to support on the development of robust policy, drawing together and considering information from different sources to reach defensible conclusions. You will represent the UK internationally and build trusted and collaborative relationships while defending UK positions and ensuring positive outcomes.

The Investment team is vibrant, hardworking, and collaborative. We value diversity and recognise the importance of professional and personal growth. Whilst knowledge of trade policy or international negotiations would be useful, the team places a high value on a learning culture. With the Department’s broad learning and development offer, we will support you to build your trade expertise.

In normal circumstances, a willingness to travel overseas regularly is a requirement of the role.

**Job description**

This role will support negotiations and policy development in multilateral organisations. Whilst the exact scope of this role is still to be defined, the team’s priority areas are:

- WTO negotiations on Investment Facilitation for Development.
- UNCITRAL negotiations on reforms to investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS).
- Participation in the OECD Investment Committee.

**In this role, you will**:

- Develop evidence-based investment trade policy, considering UK experience from recent negotiations and trends in wider international practice.
- Support strategies for multilateral negotiations, working closely with the other teams throughout the Department.
- Support both formal and informal negotiation discussions with other countries, either bilaterally or multilaterally, representing the team, our range of interests, and the government.
- Create strong, collaborative relationships across Whitehall with key Departments to deliver through virtual teams, developing robust and joined-up policy and negotiating positions.
- Lead engagement with key stakeholders within and outside government, ensuring that insights feed into UK trade policy and negotiations.
- Produce briefing for ministers and senior officials, drawing input from across the investment team and the wider Department.

Senior Executive Officer roles may have some line management responsibilities.

**Hybrid working**

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 DIT 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.

**Person specification**

**Essential Criteria**
- The ability to compile, assimilate, distil, interpret and present evidence and options, drawing upon experts as appropriate.
- Ability to persuade and influence others, establishing collaborative relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across DIT, government and the private sector.
- Good strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
- Resilience and adaptability, particularly when working with ambiguity.
- An understanding and appreciation of the requirement to provide timely, honest, objective and impartial advice in the Civil Service.

**Desirable Criteria**
- Experience of trade policy and negotiations or leading in an international environment is desirable, but not essential.

**Personal Attributes & Skills**
- Good analytical skills that drive evidence-based decision making.
- Persuasive written and spoken communication skills.
- A strong record of effective collaborative working.
- An aptitude for, and eagerness to work on, technical policy areas
- Good un