View Vacancy – QAT – Market Access and Trade Policy Officer (HEO)

The British Embassy in Doha is part of a worldwide network that represents political, economic, security and consular interests overseas. We are looking for a Market Access and Trade Policy Officer, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO).

The jobholder will lead trade policy and market access work in support of the UK’s prosperity agenda. This is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic, energetic, and highly motivated individual to play a key and impactful role in the Embassy’s Department for Business & Trade (DBT) team. 

Duties and responsibilities:

This position is embedded within the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT)’s Qatar country team, working across the Post and region, working in the following areas:

• To use research and analysis skills, including building an effective network of local contacts, to understand where UK companies may face market access or other challenges in the Qatar market, and the tools, including cooperation on regulatory best practice and UK standards, which may be used to address these.
• The jobholder will need to engage businesses and other stakeholders, while working closely with colleagues across the DBT network (such as analytical and policy colleagues in London) to prioritise these barriers based on their economic value, resolvability, and strategic importance to the UK.
• To work with Qatar government departments and other public sector bodies and their UK counterparts, on all aspects of market access and trade policy. As required, help facilitate formal government-to-government (G2G) agreements and arrangements to address challenges and realise opportunities. This means leading on delivering annual UK-Qatar Joint Trade Economic Committee (JETCO) meetings.
• Work closely with trade promotion colleagues to ensure businesses are aware of increased market access and are able to take advantage of any changes.
• To produce succinct reports and briefing, including for senior staff at the Embassy, visiting ministers and officials, and UK government departments relating to these issues.
• To help arrange UK-Qatar visits in both directions in support of the above activities. To maintain oversight of the Post’s project and programme expenditure in support of these activities, including acting as project manager as required for specific projects.
• To work with colleagues in other Posts in the GCC and with teams in DBT’s UK headquarters to progress the UK’s trade policy agenda in the region, sharing knowledge and best practice, and cooperating where required on specific projects. This includes acting as lead at Post in contributing to the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement.
• The jobholder will also be required to take on corporate activity across the Post, including undertaking training for an assigned crisis response role and contributing with all other members of staff to making the Embassy a great place to work.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Expectation of some budget management experience to prepare bids for expenditure and manage the budget requirements for events, conferences, and personal travel – within strict financial and accounting policies.

The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future and this would be at the discretion of the line manager or head of section. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any other response to a crisis.

Candidates will need to demonstrate the following Key Behaviours and Diversity & Inclusion during the interview:

Key Behaviours

• Communicating and Influencing – Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
• Working Together – Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• 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.
• Delivering at Pace – Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.

Diversity and Inclusion:

The British Embassy Doha has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination and is fully committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive work environment for all.

We are committed to valuing diversity and to equality of opportunity. Our aim is to create and promote an environment in which all staff are treated fairly and with respect and feel able to contribute to the best of their abilities.

• The ideal candidate is likely to have held a position with significant responsibility in either the public or private sector in the UK or Qatar.
• 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 effectively across Embassy teams.
• Excellent organisational skills to respond effectively to tight – and changing – deadlines and priorities. Exceptional analysis skills, able to bring together complex pieces of information and present in a simple format.
• Strong IT computer skills using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams) and internet/ web applications.