Job summary
Do you have a background in a STEM subject or cyber-security, and have an interest in the responsible promotion of British exports? Are you someone who can learn at pace and is interested in challenging work? A career as a Technical Adviser in the Export Controls Joint Unit (ECJU) maybe the ideal place for you!
You will be part of a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers, called the Technical Assessment Unit (TAU), within the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
You will provide timely delivery of accurate expert technical advice relating to military and commercial items, across a wide range of industry sectors and areas of technology.
This expertise is reached in the first year of employment, where you will undergo an extensive training/induction programme which will enable you to tackle even the most complex casework.
ECJU is multi-disciplined team comprising of members from DBT, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
ECJU provides operational delivery and policy expertise on strategic export controls.
Our mission is to promote global security and facilitate responsible exports by regulating the export of military and other sensitive goods and technology.
In support of this, the Unit considers around 18,000 licence applications each year which account for at least 10 billion of export trade.
ECJU also work closely with other parts of Government, including the HM Revenues and Customs (HMRC), Border force, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), to deliver one of the most rigorous and transparent export control systems in the world.
We also support the activities of the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementations (OTSI) in their role as enforcers of sanctions legislation.
The decisions made by ECJU are carefully scrutinised by Parliament, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and business.
Your contribution will be significant in helping ensure that the UK Government delivers on its commitment to provide an efficient, rigorous and customer-friendly export licensing and compliance system.
Although the position is desk-based, you may be expected to travel both nationally and internationally as part of ECJU commitments.
Further, whilst we offer a hybrid working environment, you will be expected to spend some time each week at either the Darlington or London office, in addition to working from home.
We value your STEM/ cyber-security expertise and as such, this is a designated post which attracts a specialist pay enhancement.
Job description
As a Technical Adviser you will assess goods and items presented within export licence applications, general enquiries and HMRC enquires against relevant export control legislation.
Further roles include:
• Provide timely delivery of accurate advice to a number of government departments;.
• Collaborate, acquire and share knowledge both within TAU and wider;.
• Support development of ECJUs new digital export licensing platform, LITE.
• Undertake technical assessments across diverse disciplines including but not limited to military, nuclear, semiconductor, electronics, engineering, information/ cyber- security, telecommunication, material science, biological materials, aerospace, marine and space;.
• Deliver in a customer-focussed environment;.
• Engage with colleagues across the national and international export-control community on technical and licensing issues, including MOD, FCDO, Home Office and various international export-control regimes;.
• Provide support to Stakeholder Engagement Team in the dissemination of training to exporters in export controls.
Person specification
Essential criteria
The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage.
• A degree level or equivalent qualification in a STEM discipline or cybersecurity and able to demonstrate professional experience in applying their knowledge and expertise in a business, regulatory, research or advisory role.
• Individuals will need to have, or be prepared to undergo, SC National Security Vetting clearance.
Desirable criteria
The below criteria are desirable only.
These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.
• Experience in a regulatory environment would be a strong advantage, as will the ability to quickly acquire knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, and its application to potential exports.