The British Embassy in Tel Aviv is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is looking for a Trade Policy and Market Access Advisor. This is a temporary position from beginning of October, for six months, to provide cover for maternity leave.

The Trade Policy and Market Access Advisor will lead on trade policy work at the UK’s Embassy in Israel, covering DBT’s trade relations objectives to advocate for FTA negotiations and ensure FTA implementation and utilisation once in force are both optimised, alongside removing market access barriers for UK exporters.

The Trade Policy and Market Access Advisor will work within DBT in order to strategically advise on both ongoing market access and policy issues as well as the forthcoming FTA negotiations, in order to advance the UK Government’s objectives. This includes identifying the trade policy aspects of wider economic and political issues; having a strategic overview on barriers to UK businesses; developing appropriate policy responses in conjunction with Whitehall colleagues and other partners as required; driving forward bilateral resolutions where agreed with DBT’s International Directorate, advising on FTA policy scoping work.

The successful candidate will report to the Country Director, DBT Israel.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Provide expert and informed advice on policy aspects of the UK-Israel economic and trading relationship; including advising the Ambassador, the chief negotiator, the FTA team and wider Whitehall contacts. As well as advising HMG departments across Whitehall on the scoping and prioritisation of trade policy priorities for the forthcoming FTA negotiations.
• Advise and prioritise where HMG should focus its resource and attention to address trade policy priorities and trade barriers. Engage businesses and other stakeholders whilst working closely with colleagues across the DBT network to prioritise these barriers based on their economic value, resolvability, and strategic importance to the UK.
• Maintain and develop relationships with a wide range of stakeholders in both Israel and the UK, including government, industry and business, to build and maintain a network for information and influence.
• Work with Israeli government ministries and competent authorities in order to solve ongoing market access issues and difficulties UK companies’ face when trading with Israel. Work with the Israeli government departments and other public sector bodies and their UK counterparts on all aspects of market access. As required, help facilitate formal government-to-government (G2G) agreements and arrangements to address challenges and realise opportunities. Identify, monitor, and report on key developments in Israel economic and trade policy with potential impacts on UKIL trade. Monitor legislation that may adversely affect UK companies, as well as advise on how to action this information and influence Israeli policy-makers and stakeholders.
• Map existing and potential country-specific trade barriers/market access issues and provide ongoing advice to HMG and UK companies on import requirements that they will need to comply with in order to operate in Israel.
• Work closely with DBT and FCDO colleagues in order to ensure a unified approach where governmental and stakeholder engagement is concerned for the upcoming FTA negotiations.
• Lead on key Ministerial, Negotiation Team, and other senior visits from the UK on topics related to the FTA negotiations and Market Access.
• Contribute to regional strategies to address wider regulatory and trade policy issues
• Work closely with other teams in the Embassy (UK-Israel Tech Hub, Science and Innovation Network, Defence) to ensure a joined-up approach to UK prosperity objectives in Israel. There will also be tasks focussing on addressing market barriers within key sectors and engaging on specific trade policy issues.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis affecting UK Citizens.

Key behaviours required:

• Seeing the Big Picture – Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Changing and Improving – Seek out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for improvement. Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback.

• Excellent level of Hebrew and English with experience of working in both languages in a business environment;
• Proven relevant policy experience in Trade and Government policy;
• Good knowledge of economic and/or trade policy from working in a related role;
• Demonstrable analytical skills, and the ability to make sense of complex topics and information;
• Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely and ability to write to a high standard for a wide range of audiences;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with confidence to work on their own initiative and a proven ability to engage and influence at a senior level internally and with external contacts, and collaborate effective across Embassy teams;
• Proven record of organisational ability. Ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines, without compromising the quality of the work. Resilience, and the ability to work under pressure on a challenging portfolio independently.