Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy in Mexico City is looking for a talented, motivated and high performing Trade and Economic Policy Officer to support the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) mandate to deliver UK Growth through deepening the UK-Mexico bilateral trade and investment relationship. Through analysis, reporting and policy advice to shape strategy and policy. 

This is a fantastic opportunity, during a fascinating moment for global trade policy, for a talented individual to work at the heart of everything the British Embassy Mexico does, directly influencing UK trade policy in Mexico, and supporting our Commercial, Programme, and Policy Teams in building a strong UK/Mexico partnership.

Trade and Investment is at the centre of the British government’s foreign policy, where the Foreign Secretary has established ‘UK Growth’ as the main objective for the organisation. Reducing market access barriers, implementing our Trade agreements (including bilateral FTA – the UK-Mexico Trade Continuity Agreement and CPTPP) with Mexico, delivering trade and economic growth dialogues, are all priorities for the Embassy given their potential to open and expand markets for British products and services, while providing new opportunities for Mexico with the UK.  Mexico is an important and growing partner for the UK and there is real potential to increase and diversify our trade and investment relationship over the coming years.  

You will be the Embassy’s expert on trade policy and economic issues, providing in-depth technical reporting, analysis and research on bilateral, multilateral and global developments. You will lead on addressing market access barriers for UK businesses in Mexico and will ensure the UK’s trade and economic policy and related engagement with Mexico is informed and effective. You will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders across the Embassy, in London and the region, proactively feeding in policy advice to inform a range of policy areas, including: financial services, energy, climate, infrastructure, education, health and anti-corruption.

The role involves applying strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills (including with Mexican government, regulatory bodies, other Embassies, business, industry bodies, international organisations and academia as appropriate). You will be proactive in developing a strong network of contacts which strengthen our understanding of Mexican policies and objectives. 

The Embassy is committed to ensuring an honest, inclusive and professional working environment. In support of this, you will also be expected to contribute towards the corporate activity of the Embassy, participating in events and Committees to make sure that they are effectively contributing to the safety and wellbeing of staff and to the delivery of the Embassy’s wider needs.  

Roles and responsibilities:

Trade policy: Trade agreements and bilateral cooperation (30%)

• Working as a part of the Trade & Economic Policy team you will deliver insightful analysis and reporting for the British Embassy and HMG on relevant bilateral, multilateral and global trade policy developments. 
• You will use this to help shape the UK’s strategic trade policy engagement, supporting the Trade Policy Director on strategy building, planning, logistics and engagement linked to the implementation and utilisation of the UK-Mexico TCA and CPTPP agreements. This will include leading the delivery of bilateral govt-govt trade dialogues, business-to-business activity and supporting Ministerial and Senior Officials’ visits. 
  

Trade policy: Market Access (30%)

• Lead the identification and resolution of several market access issues affecting UK–Mexico trade, coordinating across a wide range of internal stakeholders including FCDO, DBT, HMRC and DEFRA Agriculture Attaché. 
• Support, in collaboration with DBT Mexico team, the prioritisation (considering importance to UK trade, likelihood of resolution and opportunities to address).
• Lead the development and delivery of activity to address barriers, including through UK technical engagement and capacity-building with host authorities, SME visits and market analysis (including business engagement where relevant). Lead on identifying where trade and economic policy levers can support these objectives and coordinate delivery. 
• Lead work with wider embassy team in upskilling on MAB and trade policy issues, alongside effectively tracking market access barriers and resolution on the DBT Digital Market Access Service (DMAS), working closely with the DBT Regional and London teams on progress.

Economic analysis & reporting (20%)

• Support the embassy’s work on the Mexican economy, delivering economic and political reporting that informs UK policies towards Mexico and supports the UK’s growth strategy in Mexico, deepening trade and investment.
• Support economic analysis, understanding Mexico’s policies in multilateral fora, such as the G20, OECD, and WTO. Using this to shape policy, support a possible future High Level Economic Dialogue and provide tailored briefings on economic policy issues for high-level visitors (including Ministers), the Ambassador and senior officials.
• Support the integration of economic analysis into the broader policy work of the Embassy, including by providing occasional presentations, workshops and advice to a range of internal and external stakeholders around the full spectrum of economic issues in Mexico, and econometric and evaluation techniques.

Project & programme management (10%)

• Lead management of internal programmes including delivery of priority areas of BE business plans, securing programme funding from FCDO funds and overseeing the programme delivery of related growth activities. Reporting into various British Embassy corporate structures. 
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to organise, govt-govt engagement programmes and events, high-profile visits of senior UK government figures, ensuring high quality outcomes including Value For Money (VFM).

Corporate (10%):  

• Support corporate activity at the Embassy in support of its mission statement, Country Business Plans and the Embassy’s agreed values of honesty, respect, inclusion, and professionalism.

Language requirements: 

• Language: English and Spanish 
• Level of language required: Expert

Resources Managed (Staff and Expenditure):

1x Trade & Econ Policy team intern

Internal budgets related to specific Trade & Econ objectives in Embassy business planning, alongside bidding for and managing FCDO programme budgets (of possibly >£200k).

Essential on arrival: 

• Be qualified to at least to degree (bachelor’s) level in related field (Economics, International Trade, International Relations). 
• At least 1-2 years experience working in a role on a related field.
• Have a good understanding and interest in key national & international policy and trade issues. 
• Excellent data management and analytical skills. 
• Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English and Spanish are essential.
• Have excellent communication skills which would be used in relationship building with both internal and external contacts to the British Embassy. 
• Must be able to work with budgets and provide information in an understandable format to stakeholders. 
• Should be a proactive and creative self-starter with strong interpersonal skills who has the ability to learn quickly.
• Must be willing to work in constantly changing multicultural environments.
• Be able to adapt quickly to a dynamic working environment where requests can greatly vary.