Overview

Reference number

171662

Salary

£28,070 – £35,557

London: £31,804-£35,557, National £28,070- £31,824

Grade

Higher Executive Officer

Contract type

Fixed Term

Length of employment

2 years with potential of permanency

Business area

Trade Development

Type of role

European Opportunities

International Trade

Policy

Project Delivery

Strategy

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time

Number of posts

16

Location

Darlington, London

About the job

Summary

The Department for International Trade (DIT) secures UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment and championing free trade. We have four priority outcomes:

  • Secure world-class free trade agreements and reduce market access barriers,
  • Deliver economic growth to all the nations and regions of the UK through attracting inward investment;
  • Support UK business to take full advantage of trade opportunities
  • Champion the rules-based international trading system and operate the UK’s new trading system, including protecting UK businesses from unfair trade practices.

We are united by a common set of values and expectations for our staff to be expert, engaged, enterprising and inclusive.

Here, your personality and passion for trade matters more to us than your employment history. That’s why, even if you haven’t worked in international business or government before, you could be the perfect fit for our exciting International Trade Development Programme.

Naturally, after two years with us, you’ll have plenty of impressive experience to add to your skillset. More importantly, you’ll be poised to embark on an exciting career pathway within DIT and on your way to becoming one of the very best international trade professionals.

Job description

Our two-year programme is made up of 3 separate work placements:

  • 2 x 9-month placements in Trade Negotiations, Trading Systems, Strategy & Investments or Exports and UK Trade.
  • 6 months working overseas.

The role will be based in either Darlington or London. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.

These roles will not start until September 2022.

Please be aware that the 9-month UK placements 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 the minimum of the London pay scale.

In return for your commitment and interest, we’ll teach you all sorts of vital skills, including:

  • Researching and developing new policy thinking. Policy helps an organisation to achieve its objectives by providing a set of principles, rules and guidelines that are used as the basis for making decisions. Follow this link to read more about Trade Policy here
  • Building relationships with contacts in partner markets.
  • Reporting orally and in writing on the policy and projects you’re involved in.
  • Handling Parliamentary and public correspondence.
  • Working with stakeholders across government and beyond.

You will also complete a Level 4 Diploma in International Trade with the Institute of Export and International Trade.

On successful completion of your end of scheme assessment, you will be appointed as a permanent Senior Executive Officer in DIT.

Your overseas placement

For your six-month overseas posting, you’ll work in one of DIT’s 127 offices based across the world to support UK trade policy, exports and investment.

Responsibilities

We’re looking for character and ambition over experience-packed CVs. This role is open to non-graduates, and it doesn’t matter if you haven’t worked in government or business before. We want people who are keen to make a significant contribution to the government’s work in the UK and overseas.

You’ll also show:

  • Good judgement and ask questions to develop your understanding
  • Resilience and the ability to adapt while working in a fast-paced and changing environment
  • An ability to use data to put together evidence-based suggestions to questions or problems
  • The ability to persuade and influence others, and work with others to find solutions that meet the department’s goals

If you can show evidence of the below, we’ll exchange it for all the training and experience you need.

  • A strong interest in a career in international trade
  • An ability to take a structured approach to developing policy
  • An ability to develop oral briefing, communication and forward-thinking skills
  • An interest in developing skills in programme and project management

If this sounds like you, and you’re ready to trade – apply for the programme now.

Qualifications

Minimum 5 x GCSEs including English Language and Maths (or level 2 equivalent) at grade C and above (or the new grade 4 and above).

Behaviours

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

Developing Self and Others

Working Together

Leadership

Communicating and Influencing

Delivering at Pace

Making Effective Decisions

Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

What are your reasons for applying for this trainee trade development programme?

What challenges do you expect to face in completing the two-year programme?

Sometimes you will be asked to complete work quickly and at short notice. How will you ensure that you are able to meet multiple deadlines?

Benefits

  • Learning and development tailored to your role
  • An environment with flexible working options
  • A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
  • A Civil Service pension

Other Sector

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Department for International Trade

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International Trade Trainee