Who are we?

The British Embassy in Madrid, Spain, is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. We are looking to recruit a Senior Trade Policy Officer to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) department. DBT Spain is part of the Europe HMTC region and is responsible for promoting UK exports, attracting inward investment to the UK, negotiating Free Trade Agreements, identifying and removing market access barriers and promoting the rules-based trading system.

This is an important time to work on the UK-Spain relationship. Historic trade partners and likeminded allies through the centuries, British and Spanish interests are now more closely aligned than ever. Whether it’s as partners in the multilateral space or through close cooperation on security, the role holder will have an opportunity to shape this partnership for the future. 

Main purpose of job: 

The trade policy network provides insight through sharing monitoring and analysis, proactively offering input into UK trade policy making and influencing in host country through close relationships with government, civil society and thought leaders. The jobholder will be responsible for communicating and influencing Spanish position on trade policy priorities and providing analysis of Spanish and global events back to HQ. They will work with colleagues across the DBT Spain team as well as the wider Embassy. 

Roles and responsibilities: 

• Closely following emerging trade policy issues in relation to Spain, such as protecting UK economic security and preserving fair and open international trade;
• Providing trade policy expert advice to HMA, Ministers and senior UK officials;
• Building a robust network of contacts in industry and Government that will help deliver insight and influence on key trade policy developments;
• Closely working with DBT policy experts on policy development, influencing and managing interests across HM Government and UK business stakeholders; and exercising strategic influence in-market;
• Working with other trade policy officers across Europe to provide insights and reporting to London;
• Engaging in close collaboration with the UK Mission to the EU in identifying priority trade policy issues and future market access barriers.

Our ideal candidate shows:

• Full professional proficiency in English and Spanish (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
• Deep trade policy expertise and a minimum of 5 years of experience effectively working on trade policy development and delivery, preferably in a government context;
• Experience working with business stakeholders and developing load-bearing relationships;
• Ability to quickly synthesise complex information to support decision making and communicate this to diverse audiences;
• The ability to work across different teams in a collaborative way in order to deliver outcomes;
• A proactive approach and the ability to navigate in ambiguity autonomously;
• Flexible and a team player, working at pace as needed.