Tariff Legislation Policy Adviser

If you’re interested in making a difference to people’s lives, the Treasury can offer you an exciting opportunity to influence decision making that affects the whole of the UK. Working at the heart of government, we collaborate across government to promote responsible public spending and drive strong and sustainable economic growth.

About the Team

The Trade Policy team is responsible for developing and critically challenging the government’s work on trade. The UK now has responsibility for its trade policy for the first time since 1973, and the government has a very ambitious trade agenda.

Tariff policy is a key part of the UK’s trade policy and an exciting area of taxation for the UK. We work closely with the Department for Business and Trade and the rest of government and are responsible for the legislation that sets the tariff rates that apply to imported goods. In doing so, we must consider a range of interests, including those of UK consumers, UK producers, as well as competition, productivity, and the UK’s broader trade interests.

The Trade Policy team prides itself on maintaining and continuously improving a culture that is friendly, welcoming, and inclusive. We are encouraging of each other and our development; and are flexible in our approach and responsibilities. The successful applicant would be encouraged to positively contribute to the leadership and culture of the team.

About the Job

In this role, you will:

1. You will have responsibility for Tariff Legislation which is vital in ensuring the UK’s independent tariff regime is flexibly updated, lawful and reflects the government's trade policy.
2. You will lead on managing the pipeline of upcoming tariff policy decisions which require legislation, working closely with the wider Trade Policy team and colleagues across Whitehall, particularly the Department for Business and Trade and HMRC. Longer term work includes broader reform opportunities and identifying ways to improve the efficiency of the Tariff Legislation process.
3. You will provide support and input on aspects of tariff and trade policy, being mindful of the statutory objectives under the relevant primary legislation and using policies to deliver wider government objectives where possible.
4. Effective leadership and delivery through others, for example, chairing the civil service wide Tariff Legislation working group. Building and maintaining strong working relationships with key partners both external to HM Treasury e.g. the Department for Business and Trade, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and HMRC, and internal e.g. Treasury Legal Advisors (TLA) and HM Treasury Parliamentary Unit is essential to ensure virtual teams are working towards share goals and legislation is delivered in a timely manner.
5. Providing Senior Civil Servants and Treasury Ministers, in particular the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, with clear recommendations and timely advice. You will lead on the drafting of advice on Tariff Legislation, including statutory instruments and public notices, working closely with Treasury Legal Advisors.

This post offers an excellent opportunity to play a leading role in shaping and implementing the government’s approach to Tariff Legislation and policy. You will have overall responsibility for the legislative framework underpinning the UK’s tariff schedule. You will coordinate tangible outputs given the regularity of secondary legislation required to implement changes resulting from Free Trade Agreement negotiations to business applications for temporary tariff suspensions. You will have the opportunity to lead longer-term reforms to the UK’s Tariff Legislation.

About You

Alongside legislation responsibilities, you will also have the opportunity to lead on key aspects of the UK’s tariff and trade policy, advocating Treasury interests in the development of these policies and working proactively across the department and HMG to agree policy positions. Exact responsibilities will depend on our evolving priorities.

It would suit a motivated individual looking for an opportunity to work in a high-profile and fast-paced part of the department, and on a portfolio with a high degree of Ministerial interest, in particular the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and often the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

HM Treasury is proud of a diverse and inclusive work environment, committed to fairness and the promotion of equality of opportunity for all. We know that having a range of experiences, ways of working and thinking makes us a stronger organisation. We appreciate different views and experiences and value the fresh perspective that people from a variety of circumstances bring to the work we do. We encourage applications from candidates who have not previously worked for the Civil Service, mid- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.

Some of the Benefits our people love!

• 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays and the King’s birthday (unless you have a legacy arrangement as an existing Civil Servant). Additionally, we operate flexitime systems, allowing employees to take up to an additional 2 days off each month Flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours)
• Generous parental and adoption leave packages
• Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions of 27%
• Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme and season ticket advances
• A range of active staff networks, based around interests (e.g. analysts, music society, sports and social club) and diversity (e.g. women in the Treasury, ethnic minority network, LGBT* network, faith and belief network)

For more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the apply link.

If you need any reasonable adjustments to take part in the selection process, please tell us about this in your online application form.