Senior Trade Policy

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability.We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.Job Category Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT) Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) Main purpose of job: The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is responsible for promoting UK trade and investment with the rest of the world.We are the department for economic growth.We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the UK.The overseas network is a vital asset in delivering the UK's trade and investment ambitions.Embedded within British embassies and high commissions, our trade teams—led by HM Trade Commissioners—work in close coordination with diplomatic staff to promote UK exports, attract investment, and improve market access.Through commercial diplomacy, they build strategic relationships, provide expert market insight, and support UK businesses to navigate local conditions and seize opportunities.This integrated approach ensures our efforts align with broader UK priorities, including sectoral growth, supply chain resilience, and clean energy transition.The DBT team across Latin America and the Caribbean (LATAC) is led by the HM Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, and his team is responsible for: growing the overall trade and investment relationship between the UK and LATAC markets improving market access for British companies, including small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) developing trade policy.Information about the role: The Senior Trade Policy & Market Access Manager (SEO) will be responsible for leading and shaping market access work across the Latin America and Caribbean (LATAC) region.Operating with a high degree of autonomy and under the strategic direction of senior leadership, the SEO will manage complex and interrelated areas of work, applying advanced analytical skills, sound judgment, and creativity to deliver impactful outcomes.This role involves designing and implementing market access strategies, identifying and resolving trade barriers, influencing policy development, managing high-level stakeholder relationships, and supporting UK businesses in navigating regulatory and commercial challenges across LATAC markets.Roles and responsibilities: MARKET ACCESS Lead the delivery of complex market access initiatives in LATAC, managing a portfolio of export campaigns with significant commercial or strategic relevance.Exercise judgment in identifying and prioritising barriers and develop tailored strategies to address them.Design and implement market access projects, applying creativity and strategic thinking to overcome regulatory and operational challenges.Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment with UK trade objectives.Provide senior-level analysis and advice on market conditions, regulatory developments, and campaign-specific opportunities.Ensure that insights are effectively communicated to UK businesses and policy teams, contributing to the development of UK trade strategy.Maintain and deepen relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, trade associations, and industry leaders, to facilitate market access and promote UK commercial interests.Oversee the deployment of market access funding, ensuring strategic alignment, effective monitoring, and value for money.Provide guidance to junior staff on project design and delivery.TRADE POLICY Act as a senior point of contact for trade-related engagement with LATAC authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Economy & Finance.Lead on strategic dialogues and represent UK interests in high-level discussions.Lead promotional campaigns to raise awareness of UK- LATAC trade agreements and institutional mechanisms.Develop innovative approaches to increase business utilisation and stakeholder engagement.Monitor and interpret developments in LATAC's trade policy landscape, including Free Trade Agreements, WTO reforms, and regional integration efforts.Provide expert analysis to inform UK policy positions and regional reporting.TEAM LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION Provide senior leadership within the DBT LATAC team, contributing to strategic planning and cross-cutting initiatives across export promotion, investment, and trade policy.Mentor and support junior staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.May manage a small team or coordinate work across multiple functions.Collaborate with DBT LATAC and other British Embassy teams to ensure coherent regional engagement and maximise impact across markets.ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS Exercise a high degree of discretion and judgment in managing complex or sensitive issues.Develop policy recommendations and precedents within established frameworks.Provide expert advice to senior leadership and contribute to the development of UK trade policy, drawing on deep sectoral or thematic expertise.May be responsible for managing devolved budgets and ensuring compliance with financial and operational guidelines.Collaborate with FCDO colleagues, both in the UK and across UK Missions in the LATAC region, to inform upstream 'market-making' interventions that support partner country objectives and create commercial opportunities for UK industry.Language requirements: Language: English, Portuguese Level of language required: Fluent written and spoken (CEFR C1 essential; C2 in at least one language preferable) Essential qualifications, skills and experience Essential on arrival: Relevant experience working on market access issues or in a related field- e.g. in trade policy, economic analysis, regulation.Excellent presentation and communication skills.Previous experience of managing staff, including to implement and monitor strategic workplans.7 years of relevant work experience, such as but not limited to: forming professional relationships and build trust with a wide range of contacts from different backgrounds including at senior levels.Knowledge of LATAC/UK policy and business landscape.Experience of account and/or project management Fluent Portugueseand English (both written and spoken) Desirable qualifications, skills and experience Desirable qualifications, skills and experience: A relevant degree Experience of working effectively with the public sector, especially Brazil or UK Existing network of stakeholder contacts within the regulatory institutions.Experience working regionally and coordinating projects in LATAC.Required behaviours Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together Application deadline 27 October 2025 Grade Senior Executive Officer (SEO) Type of Position Full-time Region Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean Country/Territory Brazil Location (City) Sao Paulo Type of Post British Consulate General Number of vacancies 1 Start Date 1 April 2026 Other benefits and conditions of employment External applicants and non-DBT internal applicants must have the legal status to live and work in Brazil.Internal DBT candidates are encouraged to apply for any vacancy for which they are qualified regardless of its listed location.If an internal DBT candidate's application is successful, consideration will be given to determine if the role can be performed from the successful candidate's current location or if it should remain at the advertised location.There is no guarantee a role will move and each decision will be made on a case by case basis.Please note that if a role is approved to move to a different location, the new location's terms & conditions of service will apply, including salary, benefit offerings, internal policies, etc.Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a 'reserve list'.If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package.This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.Please note that internal candidates applying for positions in other Posts, if they are successful should resign their contract in the respective Post to be admitted in the Post where the position has been advertised.Learning and development opportunities:DBT's strong L&D offer includes access to a range of in-house and e-learning opportunities; a regional L&D fund; shadowing and mentoring opportunities; masterclasses from experts and opportunities to get involved in the corporate work across our global network.