Main purpose of job

The UK Mission in Canada is recruiting a Trade Policy Officer to support the growth and resilience of the UK-Canada economic and trade relationship and lead on the UK’s trade policy initiatives and relationships across Canada’s provinces. The postholder will contribute to the delivery of the UK’s industrial, trade and economic security priorities, supporting increased two way trade and investment, resilient supply chains, and closer policy cooperation between the UK and Canada.

This is a dynamic role at a significant moment for global trade and economic security. Canada is actively seeking to diversify its trade relationships, strengthen domestic resilience and address internal barriers to trade. The UK and Canada are close partners on growth, economic security, trusted supply chains and future facing industries, and work closely together in multilateral and plurilateral fora.
This role will have a strong provincial focus.  Your task will be to investigate and analyse provincial trade barriers and their implications for UK market access in Canada.   

The portfolio may vary in focus according to the role’s location.  We expect the role-holder to:

1. Lead across Canada on building the UK’s understanding of certain key economic issues. These are likely to include internal trade barriers, Indigenous relations and provincial-level trade policy measures.
2. Coordinate delivery of the UK-Canada joint workplan on economic security. Scope, initiate and progress local initiatives and partnerships that materially contribute to the UK’s trade and economic policy goals across provinces, working closely with UK Consul Generals. Support the rest of the Economics and Trade team in coordinating programme funding for initiatives and partnerships across Canada.
3. Drive and advance the team’s provincial engagement strategy, and advance trade policy relationships with the provincial Governments, economic think tanks and relevant industry groups, including regular travel.
4. Build and maintain a network of business contacts across relevant provinces, particularly among UK businesses operating here, to gain insight into how Government actors can best support market access. 

The role will evolve in response to ministerial and departmental priorities. The postholder will manage their own policy portfolio while working closely with colleagues across the UK Mission in Canada, and with teams in London, including the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and partner departments.

Roles and responsibilities

The Trade Policy Officer will:

• Proactively work with UK businesses and DBT colleagues to identify barriers to trade and investment across Canada, including those with economic security implications, and support efforts to address them through policy engagement and advocacy.
• Support the implementation and effective use of UK trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), with particular focus on provincial implementation issues that affect market access, regulatory alignment and supply chains.
• Support UK-Canada cooperation on economic security priorities, including supply chain resilience and strategically important sectors, through research, analysis and stakeholder engagement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with provincial governments, trade associations, sector stakeholders and partner organisations, including those involved in priority and future facing industries.
• Work closely with Trade Promotion, Science & Technology and other Mission teams, ensuring policy and commercial activity is joined up and aligned with UK objectives.
• Monitor and analyse Canadian trade, economic and economic security developments, including federal-provincial differences and regional dynamics across Canada.
• Produce clear, timely briefings, written reports and analysis for internal audiences, including senior colleagues and UK Government partners.
• Support external engagement activity, including meetings, visits and events, contributing to UK Government representation in Canada.
• Remain flexible and adaptable, contributing to other areas of work within the Economics and Trade Team and the UK Canada network as priorities evolve.
• Manage bids and coordination of programme funds that support projects to advance UK-Canda Growth objectives.
• Contribute to crisis preparedness and the wider corporate life of the UK network in Canada.  
• Lead and support events at the Consulate where you are based/High Commission in Ottawa.  
• Any other duties as assigned.

The role is being advertised across UK posts in Canada, (Ottawa, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver), with regular domestic travel within Canada expected as part of a regional remit.

What success looks like

Success in this role will mean providing high quality policy insight/analysis, supporting effective engagement with Canadian partners, and helping the team deliver UK trade and economic security objectives through well judged, reliable policy support.

• Proven ability to work independently with appropriate guidance, demonstrating initiative, sound judgement and the excellent organisational skills.
• A degree in trade policy, economics, international relations, public policy or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Strong understanding of Canadian trade, economic and political dynamics, including federal-provincial competencies.
• Awareness of economic security issues, such as supply chain resilience, critical sectors, and the interaction between trade, national security and growth.
• Experience in policy analysis, reporting and programme or project management.
• Excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate evidence and translate insights into clear policy recommendations and strategic decision-making.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing, adapting style and depth for a range of audiences, including senior stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, networking, and influencing skills, with a proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and build effective relationships across government, industry, and other stakeholders to support trade policy objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and operate effectively in a fast-paced policy environment.
• Must be legally authorised to work in Canada.