View Vacancy – UK-Georgia Trade Agreement Implementation Adviser (GEO20.480)

Note: Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.

The British Embassy in Tbilisi is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and we are now looking for a UK-Georgia Trade Agreement Implementation Adviser (12 months, fixed-term).

In January 2021 a new UK-Georgia Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement will come into force. This agreement sets out the trading relationship between the two countries following the UK’s departure from the European Union. The British Embassy is Tbilisi is looking for an additional member of staff to lead the implementation of the new agreement in its first year.

The purpose of the role in the first year is two-fold: (1) to ensure all necessary governance and committee structures are in place for the agreement to work effectively for both the UK and Georgia; and (2) to identify the additional opportunities for bilateral trade and investment that the agreement facilities, and develop a plan for pursuing those opportunities. The Embassy is therefore looking for an individual with experience of international trade policy, and the motivation to apply that experience in the practical delivery of trade agreement.

This vacancy is offered as a 12-month contract initially. Any extension will be dependent on any continued need for the role after the first year of implementation.

This position is responsible to the Department for International Trade (DIT), the UK Government department which leads on the promotion of British trade and investment opportunities overseas. The job-holder will be guided by Trade Policy staff at DIT headquarters in London, and in the regional hub in Istanbul. However this position will be a core part of the Embassy team, working daily with staff in the political and economic teams, and reporting to the Deputy Head of Mission. 

Main purpose of the job: 

• To develop a comprehensive understanding of the trade provisions of the UK-Georgia agreement;
• Provide expert advice to the Embassy and to DIT headquarters on the opportunities for implementation from an in-market perspective, including surveying upcoming legislation and checking it for compliance with the agreement;
• Identify any residual market access barriers and opportunities for engaging with the Georgian government to solve them;
• Lead engagement on the immediate and longer-term plans for implementation with all relevant Georgian.

 Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understand, and represent to others, the UK’s trade policy priorities, and the extent to which the UK-Georgia trade agreement underpins the UK’s existing (and possible future) bilateral trade and investment interests in Georgia;
• Develop strong working relationships with all Government of Georgia bodies responsible for implementation of trade agreements, and liaise between them and UK Government colleagues to agree the number, structure and frequency of mechanisms needed for effective implementation of the agreement;
• Provide a Secretariat function for those mechanisms, on behalf of UK Government;
• Keep up to date with, and provide written analysis to the Embassy/DIT on, relevant developments in international trade policy, notably new agreements signed by the UK with third countries, and developments in the EU-Georgia DCFTA;
• Work closely with Embassy and DIT commercial staff to identify any barriers to trade lifted by (or unintentionally introduced by) the provisions of the agreement, and on the strategy and resource needed to take forward those opportunities; 
• Coordinate with Embassy colleagues leading on the implementation of the political elements of the UK-Georgia agreement, so that the objectives and activity of both aspects of the agreement are mutually reinforcing;
• Provide written updates on implementation on a regular basis, and in response to ad hoc requests from Ministers and other UK Government stakeholders.

• Proficient written and spoken English and Georgian. The job holder will need to operate in both languages interchangeably to a high standard, on the subjects of trade policy and international law;
• At least 3 years’ experience of international trade law, or the development of international trade policy;
• University / Bachelor’s degree, ideally in international relations or similar;
• Excellent contact building and stakeholder management skills;
• Strong analytical and presentation skills.