Private Secretary to Directors General Trading

This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade (DIT). The work we do has a real impact on jobs and growth across the United Kingdom. Our mission is to help businesses export, drive inward and outward investment, negotiate market access and trade deals, and to advocate free trade. We are an international department based in 108 countries, and we work closely with our colleagues worldwide.

We are looking for a well organised and enthusiastic private secretary to join a small high performing Private Office supporting the Director General (DG) for the Trading Systems Group (TSG). Within TSG, you will support the delivery of championing the rules-based international trading system and operate the UK’s new trading system, including by protecting UK businesses from unfair trade practices.

The role will require you to build influence, responsibility, and autonomy across a variety of senior staff within DIT. You will be working closely with the SEO Private Secretary and line manage the EO Diary Manager to maintain a high-quality service for the DG.

The skills and experience you will develop in this role will put you on a strong footing for further progression in your career.

**Job description**

Reporting to the DG and SEO Private Secretary, you will:

- Manage, track, and deliver against a range of DG priorities, working closely with your line manager, diary manager, and the wider Strategy, Coordination and Resourcing Team.
- Provide management and have autonomy over your private office portfolio including bilateral and multilateral trade policy, trade disputes and corporate work strands.
- Confidently communicate DG policy priorities and translate this into steers for teams across TSG and wider department.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with a range of teams and senior officials across DIT including policy and operational colleagues, and key contacts across government.
- Be an active, positive and enthusiastic team member in the Private Office, supporting with ad-hoc requests with a can-do spirit.

**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**
- An ability to work in a pressurised, fast-paced environment, involving high levels of personal organisation.
- Strong communication skills (both orally and in writing), and be comfortable using these skills with a range of audiences.
- An ability to juggle multiple pieces of work at one time.

**Desirable Criteria**
- Experience working within international trade and / or Private Office is desirable but not essential
- Line management experience is desirable but not essential

**Personal Attributes & Skills**

We are looking for someone who has the personal effectiveness to deliver outcomes in a fast paced and sometimes pressured environment.
- Have effective organisational skills and can keep track of large amounts of information and different pieces of work, with a structured approach to information management.
- Possess strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, with an ability to communicate steers clearly and succinctly.
- Are able to deliver at pace, prioritise, and organise resource effectively to resolve issues as they emerge.
- Are a resilient person who can think clearly and project calm during unexpected events.
- A highly organised and self-motivated individual who can take on multiple pieces of work at the same time.
- Have a positive can-do spirit and are willing to take on new pieces of work and getting stuck into ad-hoc requests.

**Behaviours**

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

- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture

**Benefits**
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pensionwith an average employer contribution of 27%

**Things you need to know**

**Selection process details**

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

**Further Information**

**Reasonable Adjustment**

**Vetting Requirements**

UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records
Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
Security Services records
For this role, the Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. Please note we are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.

**Security**

See our