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Background
The Legal Services Trade Policy Division (LSTPD) and its domestic sister Division (UK and Innovation Legal Services) are responsible for delivering the second objective of the Ministry of Justice single departmental plan (2019 – 2022), namely - “Supporting a flourishing legal services sector”.
To achieve this, LSTPD main objectives are to: a) maintain market access, b) improve market access (including supporting FTA negotiations, leading or supporting the sector deliver multi recognition agreements or support wider liberalisation in particular markets) and c) grow market share in a number of legal services markets across the world. Priority countries have been identified and categorised by these three objectives.
There are four vacancies available in the Legal Services Trade Division within the Asia, Europe, Americas and Programme Management teams. The posts focus on the delivery of MoJ objectives in the context of HMG’s trade strategy and negotiations with key trade partners. It offers an excellent opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders within the Department, across Whitehall, and in the legal sector to deliver challenging policy objectives in an area which has quickly risen up national and international policy agendas.
These roles offer an excellent opportunity for high performing policy professionals to lead an exciting and challenging programme of work, as the UK starts its new independent relationship with the EU and other trade partners.
Job description
As a Senior Policy Advisor in the Legal Services Trade Policy Division, you will play a central role in the Government’s work to ensure UK legal services, courts and English law remain world-leading, and will be responsible for leading the development, delivery and implementation of the Department’s legal services policy objectives in the context of HMG’s trade strategy and negotiations with key trade partners.
You will be specifically responsible for leading the development and implementation of a legal services trade programme in one or more countries and emerging markets across Asia, Europe and the Americas. You will be charged with deploying project and programme management skills to deliver on our trade objectives within a fluid environment where priorities may need to change quickly
You will also have responsibilities for particular cross-cutting trade policies and will be responsible for delivery of advice to Ministers, as well as contributions to cross-Whitehall advice and briefings for stakeholders. You will also be responsible for delivery of briefings for trade negotiations and may be more directly involved in negotiations as they develop. You may be required to travel internationally to support this work.
You will need to work confidentially with colleagues across the Department and Whitehall (in particular with BEIS, DIT and FCO colleagues) and with external stakeholders to develop and advance the Department’s legal services objectives.
You will also need to be flexible and support the Division’s wider programme of activity as priorities develop over the next 12 months.
Depending on developing priorities and overall team structure, the postholder may have line management responsibilities, or will have the opportunity to work closely with, and help to develop, HEOs and EOs.
Skills and experience
You are required to have:
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build relationships quickly across Government and externally.
- Demonstrable capability for strategic thinking and policy development, and ability to make sound judgements.
- The ability to provide clear, evidenced briefing in both written and oral formats on complex policy areas to senior stakeholders and Ministers.
- Strong prioritisation skills and the ability to make effective decisions on how to make best use of your resources to handle time-sensitive work to achieve both short and long-term results.
- The ability to use project and programme management skills in a fluid environment where priorities may need to change quickly.
- The ability to get your message across to diverse groups and deploy effective influencing and negotiating skills to further Departmental and Government objectives.
It would be desirable, but not essential, to have:
- An understanding of government and parliamentary processes.
- An understanding of the justice system and legal services sector.
- An understanding of trade policy-making in an international context (which may include working in an EU-focused role)
- Previous experience of working with the legal services sector and/or similar professional business and services sector.
- A genuine interest in trade policy in particular.
Selection process
This vacancy is being advertised using the Success Profiles Framework, and during the selection process we will assess your Behaviours, Experience, and Strengths.
Behaviours
- Seeing the big picture (lead behaviour)
- Communicating and influencing
- Making effective decisions
- Working together
- Delivering at pace
Experience
We will assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.
Strengths
We will assess your Strengths that are relevant to the role, particularly those that map into the key Behaviours applicable to the role.
Selection process details
An initial sift based on the lead Behaviour may be held if a large number of applications are received.
If your application progresses to a full sift, all Behaviours and your Experience will be considered. Candidates who pass the sift will be invited for interview, during which your Behaviours, Experience and Strengths will be assessed. You may also be asked to give a short presentation during the interview. The nature and content of any presentation will be notified when you are given the time and date for interview.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment, and then upon request.
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