Senior Analyst, Goods Trade Negotiations

at  Department for Business and Trade

JOB SUMMARY

The Department for Business and Trade is the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. Our responsibilities include:

• Redraw our rules to ensure businesses thrive, markets are competitive, and consumers are protected
• Secure investment from UK and international businesses
• Advise, support, and promote British businesses to grow and export
• Open up new markets for businesses by removing barriers and striking trade deals
• Promote free trade, economic security and resilient supply chains

The role is in Goods Trade Analysis (GTA) team which sits in the Trade and Investment Negotiations (Goods) Directorate (TING). GTA provides embedded analytical support to both TING and to the Goods, India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GIG) Directorate. The focus of this role will be on supporting primarily GIG policy directorate.
We work extremely closely with policy colleagues and other analysts in DBT and cross-Whitehall, including Defra and HMT. We lead on analysis of trade in goods feeding into negotiations on free trade agreements (FTAs) and implementation of FTAs and the Windsor Framework.
We are a multi-profession analytical team, bringing together economists, statisticians, social researchers and operational researchers. We work closely with policy and analyst teams across DBT and the Whitehall. We undertake a range of analytical projects: analysis of complex data sets, modelling and coding, field work to collect new data, external engagement, case study work and policy options appraisal. We work flexibly and collaboratively across the team and offer opportunities to work in different areas of the team depending on business needs and team members’ development needs.
We are an inclusive and diverse team that aspires to be a great and fun place to work. We take work life balance seriously and seek to ensure that everyone can grow and develop. For us, analysis is about making an impact and influencing real life outcomes.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This role is to lead the analysis of tariffs, rules of origin and regulatory barriers to trade in the Goods Trade Negotiations branch of the team. The team is at the heart of DBT’s priorities, with considerable opportunities to provide impactful analysis to senior leaders/Ministers.

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting primarily GIG policy directorate in a high pressured and fast paced environment of goods trade negotiations with the rest of the world as well as the analysis supporting the EU reset. The team work as part of negotiating teams, often ‘in the room’, therefore the post holder will ensure very close collaboration with the policy colleagues and thought leadership across Whitehall in the policy areas of responsibility. The post holder is expected to:

• Support live negotiations on goods, ensuring that the UK positions are evidence-based, and DBT is at the forefront of FTA analysis and delivering the greatest benefit to the UK economy.
• Act as a cross-Whitehall thought leader in goods trade analysis through relevant forums and provide direction for a wider analytical team.
• Shape policy from the early mandate setting stage right through to monitoring how trade agreements are being utilised across the full spectrum of agricultural and industrial goods.
• Continuously develop and provide direction to the team, harnessing the talents of individuals and creating an engaged, professional and innovative environment.
• Continuously develop the evidence base, including through innovative analyses and external research.

We will look to tailor the job contents to the analytical skills of the preferred candidate to ensure the job provides them with sufficient stretch and development opportunities.
The role will be based in either Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Salford, Darlington, or London. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.
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.
If your office location is London, you will be eligible to receive London weighting.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

This role would generally suit someone who;

will be an enthusiastic team leader who enjoys leading analysis that shapes policy formation. The post holder will be able to demonstrate experience and potential in the following areas:

• Leading analysis of several analytical work-streams in a changing and dynamic environment while maintaining high team performance and a supportive culture. This includes excellent analytical skills with experience of applying analysis to real world policy problems and proactive leadership, including thought leadership, to ensure the best possible evidence is used to influence decisions.
• Working as an analyst in a policy environment that understands the interface between analysis and policy and uses analysis persuasively to influence decisions.
• An ability to assimilate, synthesise and communicate complex information to a variety of audiences in order to achieve maximum impact.
• Collaborating on a range of analytical topics with others in DBT and across Government, including from HMT, HMRC and DEFRA, and establishing effective relationships with a wide range of senior and influential stakeholders to build the evidence base.
• Anticipating future needs and priorities, adjusting resources and making the best use of innovative analytical techniques.

The team has strong engagement across a variety of corporate topics from Learning & Development to Diversity & Inclusion, which form the foundations of its overall inclusive, diverse, and collaborative culture.
As such, we are looking for someone with an ability to listen to and consider the perspective of others across a broad range of topics, as well as being willing to offer their own constructive insights and perspectives.

The applicants external to Civil Service will be assessed against the requirements of the Government’s analytical professions. Success will mean becoming a member of the relevant profession:

• Government Economic Service (GES)
• Government Operational Research Service (GORS)
• Government Statistical Service (GSS)
• Government Social Research (GSR)

QUALIFICATIONS

Government Economic Service (GES): Please note, to be eligible to apply as an Economist you must:
have a first or upper second-class honours degree in economics (or international equivalent), or a postgraduate degree in economics. If it is a joint degree, at least 50% of the course modules must be in economics.
have studied both macroeconomics and microeconomics.
We require the demonstration of skills, knowledge and experience to succeed as a Government Economist at the grade applied for or be an existing member of the Government Economic Service. Technical skills will be assessed against the grade requirement of the GES. Details can be found in the GES Framework. These will be assessed during the selection process, including at both sift of your written application and interview. Applicants who are civil servants but not members of the GES and anyone applying from outside government must be able to demonstrate you meet the requirements of the GES, as successful appointment will include membership of the GES.
For applicants applying after more than a couple of years after university, who are not an existing member of the Government Economic Service relevant experience consists of experience working on economic analysis or research including for example in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team. To enter the GES through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your economic experience and skills covering the three components of the GES technical framework – a copy which can be obtained from the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ges-technical-framework-2022
Government Operational Research Service (GORS): All candidates must meet the external recruitment requirements for GORS in terms of academic qualifications (outlined on the GORS website):
High numeracy: You must possess a 2:1 or higher numerate degree, or a 2:2 with relevant work experience or postgraduate qualification.
Highly numerate degrees include Astrophysics, Data Science, Decision Science, Econometrics, Engineering, Mathematics, Operational Research, Physics and Statistics.
Other numerate degrees, such as Accounting, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Economics, Finance, Geography, IT, Management, Management Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Sciences and Systems Science, may be accepted if 50% or more of the modules are considered highly numerate.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gors-professional-behaviours
Government Social Research (GSR): To be eligible to apply you will need to hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2. The degree must contain substantial social research methods training (comprising around one third of modules taken on the course) including quantitative research methods and at least three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research. OR hold an undergraduate degree at a minimum of 2:2, in any subject, or a degree equivalent (e.g. an advanced Certificate or Diploma from MRS), plus have at least 4 years’ social research practice experience. Social research practice experience consists of experience working in a research agency, market research agency or specialist research team. To enter the GSR through this route you must make explicit the breadth and depth of your research experience and skills, which must include quantitative research methods and three of the following: systematic/literature reviews; qualitative methods; interpretation of data and presentation of results; study design, hypothesis testing and application of ethics to research.
In advance of the interview, if you are not an existing member of the Government Social Research (GSR) profession, you will be required to undertake a 45 minute online written “knowledge test”. This test will be supervised and conducted online over MSTeams and involve you responding to a range of exam questions to test your technical knowledge of social research and statistical methods.
In the interview, we will also assess your technical social research skills by asking you to present on a pre-prepared research topic which will be given to you in advance, for up to 10 minutes. An additional technical question will also be asked as part of the interview.
All technical questions will be based on the grade specific skills and knowledge required for the GSR profession set out in the GSR framework – a copy which can be obtained from the link below:
Government Social Research (GSR) Technical Expertise Framework: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-government-social-research-competency-framework
Government Statistical Service (GSS): The accepted qualifications for GSG posts are:
a first- or second-class honours degree in a numerate subject (2:1 minimum for Assistant Statistician; 2:2 minimum for Statistical Officer) containing at least 25% taught statistical content (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)
a higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in a subject containing formal statistical training (e.g. Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, Sciences, Business Studies, Psychology, Geography or similar)
have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development (via a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) logbook) in statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) Level 5
have achieved or on track to achieve a level 4 apprenticeship including at least two years in a statistical or data analysis field in government and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development in statistics or data analysis (via a CPD logbook signed off by a manager or mentor who are members of the statistical profession)
For statistical data scientist posts, the accepted qualifications are:
a first- or second-class honours degree in a numerate discipline, computer science or Information Technology (IT) equivalent which demonstrates core statistical skills
a higher degree, e.g. an MSc or PhD, in Data Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics (this is not a definitive list)
have worked in a statistical or data science field and are able to demonstrate continuous professional development (via a CPD logbook) in statistics or data science at the same level as a foundation degree or HND Level 5
Please note candidates may apply in their final year of study while they are still awaiting their qualification result. But formal contracts can only be offered upon confirmation of the achievement of the relevant qualification. In the case of an apprenticeship, this includes completing two years’ work experience in a statistical or data analysis field in government as part of attaining the qualification.
Applicants who are not already members of the Government Statistician Group (GSG) will be required to do an online statistical test as part of the application process to join the GSG.
Once you have submitted your application and the application has closed, you will be emailed during standard working hours inviting you to complete the GSS online multiple-choice test. This is a timed test and must be completed within 48 hours for you to be considered for the next stage of the process. You are encouraged to try the test attached to the advert before attempting the real test. Please ensure you inform us ahead of the test if you require any reasonable adjustments to be considered.
Please note: If you are already a member of the GSG, you are exempt from sitting the online test. To prevent your application being rejected please email dbtrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as you apply to notify us. Once confirmed you will be moved onto the next stage by our recruitment team.
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

From the Government Statistician Group competency framework:

• Presenting and Disseminating Data Effectively
• Acquiring Data/Understanding Customer Needs
• Data Analysis

https://gss.civilservice.gov.uk/policy-store/competency-framework-for-the-government-statistician-group-gsg/

TECHNICAL SKILLS

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

• In the interview, we will assess your technical economic skills by asking you to present on a pre-prepared topic which will be given to you in advance, for up to 5 minutes. Additional technical questions will also be asked as part of the interview.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £67,170, Department for Business and Trade contributes £19,459 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Please refer to the attached candidate pack for further information on our benefits.
Things you need to know

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

The Department for Business and Trade is the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. Our responsibilities include:

• Redraw our rules to ensure businesses thrive, markets are competitive, and consumers are protected
• Secure investment from UK and international businesses
• Advise, support, and promote British businesses to grow and export
• Open up new markets for businesses by removing barriers and striking trade deals
• Promote free trade, economic security and resilient supply chain

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting primarily GIG policy directorate in a high pressured and fast paced environment of goods trade negotiations with the rest of the world as well as the analysis supporting the EU reset. The team work as part of negotiating teams, often ‘in the room’, therefore the post holder will ensure very close collaboration with the policy colleagues and thought leadership across Whitehall in the policy areas of responsibility. The post holder is expected to:

• Support live negotiations on goods, ensuring that the UK positions are evidence-based, and DBT is at the forefront of FTA analysis and delivering the greatest benefit to the UK economy.
• Act as a cross-Whitehall thought leader in goods trade analysis through relevant forums and provide direction for a wider analytical team.
• Shape policy from the early mandate setting stage right through to monitoring how trade agreements are being utilised across the full spectrum of agricultural and industrial goods.
• Continuously develop and provide direction to the team, harnessing the talents of individuals and creating an engaged, professional and innovative environment.
• Continuously develop the evidence base, including through innovative analyses and external research