View Vacancy – Deputy Director, Trade Policy, Mexico and CPTPP

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy is looking for an experienced Deputy Director for Trade Policy to drive our work in building and deepening the UK-Mexico bilateral trade relationship.

The successful candidate will work alongside the Director for Trade Policy to lead and oversee activity in pursuit of an ambitious and modern future trade relationship between the UK and Mexico.   This will include leading strategic engagement with business, industry and the Government as a means of developing bilateral relationships (both Government-to-Government and business-to-business), overseeing market access work (creating new export opportunities, reducing non-tariff barriers, and supporting UK companies operating in Mexico), and working in support of the UK’s upcoming new bilateral FTA and CPTPP trade negotiations with Mexico. In the run-up to the UK’s co-chairmanship of COP26 in November, the candidate will also provide senior support to the Embassy’s COP26 business engagement strategy.

The role will also have regional responsibilities, including leading data driven analysis in support of developing future UK trade policy. In addition, the post holder will be expected to support regional trade policy L&D.

Roles and responsibilities:

Mexico Trade Policy and Market Access (70%):

• Lead strategic engagement with Mexico’s key business bodies (CCE, CONCAMIN, COMCE, etc…) to strengthen Embassy and UK linkages and activity, including through cultivating business-to-business engagement, market access discussions and positioning the UK as a business partner of choice.

• Lead engagement with the Mexican Government to develop the institutional mechanisms needed to oversee implementation of the UK-Mexico Trade Continuity Agreement (signed in December 2020) and to deepen and develop our bilateral engagement ahead of our future trade talks: including organising bilateral trade dialogues and leading or supporting DIT Ministerial and Senior Officials’ visits.

• Develop a trade facilitation relationship with the Customs Authority (and other relevant authorities) to improve customs issues that affect UK exporters.

• Oversee work on market access issues affecting UK – Mexico trade, drawing on the work of trade and economic teams across the British Embassy. Analyse and understand these barriers to establish their importance to trade and the likelihood and means of resolution. Coordinate the development and implementation of Market Access Action Plans.

• Oversee Embassy trade policy analysis, including of existing bilateral and multilateral trade agreements to which the UK and Mexico are party, and their impact on the UK-Mexico trade relationship – using the outcomes inter alia to support the development of the UK’s trade negotiating mandates.

• Provide senior support to the Embassy’s COP26 business engagement strategy.

• Support work in London and Mexico to increase utilisation of the UK-Mexico Trade Continuity Agreement, ensuring that UK businesses are aware of the agreement.

• Support policy development and delivery of future bilateral and CPTPP trade negotiations with Mexico, working closely with the Director for Trade Policy Mexico and DIT, FCDO and other Whitehall leads
  

Regional Opening Markets (20%):

• Regional responsibilities, leading data driven analysis in support of developing future UK trade policy and priorities.

• Support delivery of the Opening Markets pillar of the Regional Trade Plan by leading and contributing to adhoc pieces of work and analysis where requested.

• Support the delivery of the LATAC programme of L&D to upskill trade and prosperity colleagues at posts on trade policy and market access issues.

Corporate (10%):

• Support corporate activity at the Embassy in support of its mission statement of “Building a UK/Mexico partnership, which makes the world and us more prosperous and secure” and the Embassy’s agreed values of honesty, respect, inclusion and professionalism.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): N/A

• The successful candidate will manage the 1 x C4 (Head of Overseas Direct Investment and Strategic Accounts) and 1 x B3 Trade Policy and Market Access Officer, plus countersign 1 x A2 (Economic and Trade Assistant).

Essential on arrival:

• Qualified to at least degree (bachelor’s) level in a related field (Economics, International Trade, International Business or related subject).
• Have a strong understanding of Advanced Trade Policy principles with significant relevant experience working on trade policy issues (or in a related field).
• Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship management skills.
• A proven record of delivery: including at pace, and through collaborating in complex environments.
• Experience in managing and developing teams.
• Excellent data management and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and spoken communication (English and Spanish).