Policy Adviser

We are recruiting for a Policy Adviser (Higher Executive Officer – HEO) in the North America team, which forms part of the Bilateral Trade Relations directorate. This role contributes to the Secretary of State’s top priority – to remove trade barriers.

The primary focus of the North America team is the delivery of state-level trade objectives in the United States and expanding market access in Canada – both high-profile ministerial priorities. This is an exciting time to join the team, which manages delivery of signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with seven US states, development of several further such arrangements, and live and rapidly progressing work on a wider state-level market access agenda. The Team also oversees implementation of our trade agreement and trading relationship with Canada. The successful candidate should expect to contribute to a range of projects across the team’s agenda.

The role would suit a driven and dynamic candidate interested in developing skills and experience in trade and international affairs, capable of producing high-quality work to tight deadlines, and motivated to deliver outcomes for UK businesses and consumers.

The role requires a candidate who can:

• Build constructive relationships with partners including businesses, colleagues at Post across North America, and government officials.
• Analyse complex policy and regulation to understand trade barriers.
• Develop effective strategies for negotiation.
• Plan impactful activity to realise commercial benefits for UK businesses.
• Draft concise and accurate briefings for ministers – paying close attention to detail.
• Contribute to positive team morale – especially when the unit is under pressure.
• Grasp the politics of trade in the US and Canada.

• Drafting briefings for ministers to support meetings with key stakeholders, including counterparts in North America.
• Supporting resolution of priority barriers on recognition of professional qualifications.
• Identifying, evaluating, and planning resolution of other market access barriers.
• Supporting work to open up state-level procurement opportunities for UK suppliers.
• Planning and delivering impactful activity to help grow bilateral trade through the frameworks established by signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with US states.
• Planning ministerial visits, in conjunction with colleagues at Post, in private offices, and in the central Visits team.
• Developing effective communications assets, including core public lines – working with colleagues in Communications teams.
• Supporting work to manage relationships with the Devolved Administrations and Crown Dependencies.
• Supporting governance of the state-level trade agenda and engagement with partner Government departments.
• Supporting the wider work of the North America team as required.
• Supporting implementation of the UK's Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) with Canada.