Job title: Global Trade Specialist                 
Division: Supervision, Policy & Competition
Department: International

• Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £74,900 to £88,900 and London from £82,300 to £97,800 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
• This role is graded as: Technical Specialist - Regulatory
• Your Internal recruitment contact is Katie Ayling via katie.ayling@fca.org.uk.
• Your external recruitment contact is Tahir Khan via tahir.khan1@fca.org.uk. Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via social media or email will not be accepted.

About the FCA and team 
We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you’ll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth, and shaping the future of UK financial services.  

SPC oversees firms and individuals (supervision), creates and reviews the rules by which they operate (policy) and identifies and remedies ineffective competition in markets (competition). The International Division leads our strategy for international engagement, working collaboratively across the FCA to ensure the organisation delivers on its international priorities.

You will help to lead on an important part of the FCA’s international agenda. You will work with a wide range of colleagues across the FCA, as well as external domestic stakeholders.

The Market Access Team retains responsibility for supporting the Government in the negotiation of free trade agreements, equivalence and overseas access arrangements.

Role responsibilities:

• You will be the policy lead on global trade and point of expertise on wider international market access issues
• The role provides technical advice and strategic direction of all elements of FCA work relating to trade, market access and international agreements
• Lead the FCA’s advice to HMT on ongoing international negotiations in free trade agreements, digital economy agreements, and other issues related to global trade (e.g. World Trade Organisation), ensuring the FCA’s objectives and functions are reflected in government led international trade negotiations
• Advise internal policy teams on how rule proposals may impact the UK’s compliance with its international trade obligations
• Support the Manager and wider team in the development of the FCA’s market access strategy
• Provide advice and expertise across the Division and FCA on matters related to trade and equivalence policy

Skills required:

Minimum:

• Demonstrable technical expertise in financial services free trade agreements and financial services deference arrangements
• Demonstrable experience of senior stakeholder engagement, including influencing and negotiating with others

Essential:

• Experience of international trade negotiations in financial services (either direct or indirect)
• Assured strategic approach - able to analyse complex issues, making effective judgements and proposals to build a long-term plan across our trade agenda
• Effective written and spoken communication abilities, including the skill to present complex topics in a concise and engaging way tailored to the audience
• Identifies and manages key stakeholders, building rapport and constructive long- term relationships
• Clear understanding and articulation of the FCA’s functions and objectives within the UK financial regulatory framework and our approach to regulation and supervision

Benefits:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Colleagues spend a minimum of 50% of their working time in the office each month (60% for Directors and Executive Directors) across our London, Leeds and Edinburgh offices

• Non-contributory pension (8–12% depending on age) and life assurance at eight times your salary
• Private healthcare with Bupa, income protection, and 24/7 Employee Assistance
• 35 hours of paid volunteering annually
• A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle

For a full list of our benefits, and our recruitment process as a whole visit our benefits page.

Our Values & Culture

Our colleagues are the key to our success as a regulator. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture: one that’s free from discrimination and bias, celebrates difference, and supports colleagues to deliver at their best. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better regulation.

If you require any adjustments due to a disability or condition, your recruiter is here to help - reach out for tailored support.

We welcome diverse working styles and aim to find flexible solutions that suit both the role and individual needs, including options like part-time and job sharing where applicable.
 

Disability Confident: Our Hiring Approach
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, and therefore, people or individuals with disabilities and long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. In cases of high application volumes we may progress applicants whose experience most closely matches the role’s key requirements.
 

Useful Information and Timeline 

• Job advert close: Monday 23rd November at 23:59pm
• CV Review/Shortlist: Wednesday 25th November
• First Round Interviews: w/c 30th November
• Second Round Interviews: w/c 7th December
• Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time.