Main purpose of job:

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is responsible for promoting UK trade and investment with the rest of the world. We are the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the UK. 

The overseas network is a vital asset in delivering the UK’s trade and investment ambitions. Embedded within British embassies and high commissions, our trade teams—led by HM Trade Commissioners—work in close coordination with diplomatic staff to promote UK exports, attract investment, and improve market access. Through commercial diplomacy, they build strategic relationships, provide expert market insight, and support UK businesses to navigate local conditions and seize opportunities. This integrated approach ensures our efforts align with broader UK priorities, including sectoral growth, supply chain resilience, and clean energy transition.

The DBT team across Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAC) is led by Jonathan Knott CMG, The HM Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, and his team is responsible for:

• growing the overall trade and investment relationship between the UK and LATAC markets
• improving market access for British companies, including small and medium sized businesses (SMEs)
• developing trade policy. 

Information about the role: 

Market Access & Trade Policy Manager will be responsible for leading and coordinating market access work across the Latin America and Caribbean (LATAC) region. Operating under the direction of senior management, the Market Access & Trade Policy Manager will manage a discrete area of work, applying strategic thinking, discretion, and analytical skills to deliver impactful outcomes. This role involves identifying and addressing market access barriers, supporting the implementation of DBT LATAC’s trade policy and export strategies, managing stakeholder relationships, and helping UK businesses navigate regulatory and policy challenges in LATAC markets.

Roles and responsibilities: 

MARKET ACCESS

• Support the delivery of the UK’s Trade Policy and Market Access agenda in LATAC, by managing a portfolio of market access issues and supporting regional exports strategies under the direction of DBT senior leadership. This will involve defining the strategy for resolving already identified barriers and working on identifying other that could be limiting UK’s growth agenda.
• Lead on the structuring and implementation of specific market access projects or initiatives, coordinating with relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitor and analyse developments in Mexico and regulatory environment that could hinder the access of UK key businesses and sectors, providing timely and accurate reporting to inform UK business and policy stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including local government officials, regulatory authorities, trade associations, and UK businesses, to gather intelligence to serve the market access agenda and implementation of projects.  
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of market access funding activities, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and value for money.

TRADE POLICY

• Act as a primary point of contact for engagement with DBT LATAC senior management (in the region and in HQ) on trade related matters for Mexico. In coordination with other Embassy teams working on Trade Policy, support senior DBT management in shaping and delivering the UK’s trade policy agenda and priorities for Mexico.
• Support the strategic implementation of existing trade agreements and trade related instruments between Mexico and the UK (including CPTPP), working in close collaboration with other Trade Policy teams at the Embassy. This includes linking DBT’s Market Access work to the wider implementation of trade agreements ensuring both agendas are aligned.
• With the support and guidance of senior DBT management, lead the promotion of the benefits of trade agreements and trade related instruments between Mexico and the UK (including CPTPP), mainly for the awareness of UK business. Work closely with DBT export leads to ensure promotion activity aligns with increasing utilisation of these instruments.
• Work closely with other Trade Policy teams at the Embassy in monitoring and reporting on trade policy developments relevant to the implementation of Free Trade Agreements, WTO engagement, and regional integration efforts.

TEAMWORK AND COLLABORATION

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the British Embassy and the wider DBT LATAC network, contributing to cross-cutting initiatives and regional coordination efforts.
• Support the team’s performance and knowledge-sharing culture, including mentoring junior staff or interns where appropriate.
• Contribute to internal planning, reporting, and evaluation processes, including business planning and performance reviews.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Exercise sound judgment in managing competing priorities and making operational decisions within defined parameters.
• Provide expert advice and analysis to senior colleagues, drawing on research and stakeholder input.
• The role may be responsible for managing a small team or budget, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with FCDO colleagues, both in the UK and across UK Missions in the LATAC region, to inform upstream “market-making” interventions that support partner country objectives and create commercial opportunities for UK industry.

Language requirements: 

• Language:  English, Spanish 
• Fluent written and spoken (CEFR C1 essential; C2 in at least one language preferable) 

Essential on arrival:

• Relevant work experience leading on trade policy, market access or in another relevant field.
• The ability to communicate effectively to diverse internal and external stakeholders on technical trade and market access issues.
• Experience of working across diverse teams to create, monitor and implement organisational strategies
• Ability to build and use a strong network of contacts across public and/or private sector organisations.
• Proven experience of leading projects and/or strategic workplans, including setting clear objectives, managing delivery from inception to completion, tracking progress against agreed outcomes, ensuring robust financial due diligence, and communicating objectives and progress effectively to stakeholders.
• Knowledge of LATAC/ UK policy and business landscape.
• Fluent Spanish and English (both written and