Deputy Head of Licensing Unit

Job summary

The Export Control and Sanctions Directorate (EC&S) supports businesses and other organisations across the UK to export securely and further the Government’s growth mission, while maintaining and advancing our national security objectives.

We support responsible exports, including the industrial strategy’s high priority sectors such as defence, advanced manufacturing and key emerging technologies, promoting strategic manufacturing, export and research capabilities in the UK.

The role is working within the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) – a part of EC&S, whose core function is considering applications for export licences. ECJU’s work includes a range of issues around National Security, International Humanitarian Law and Counter-Proliferation. It works to deliver one of the most rigorous and transparent export control systems in the world. The decisions made by ECJU are carefully scrutinised by Parliament, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and business.

You will work closely with the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI), which is also an integral part of the export control system, launched on October 2024, within EC&S to enforce trade sanctions. It investigates breaches, enforces civil penalties, and helps businesses comply with sanctions legislation.

A good understanding of export control legislation is required, and the job holder will have regular contact with colleagues in the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and Ministry of Defence (MOD). There will also be frequent contact with exporters and various other internal and external stakeholders, either by telephone, in writing or in meetings.

You will work as one of three Deputies to the Head of Licensing Unit. Each Deputy will line manage a small team of Licensing Managers who in turn line manage their own small team of Licensing Officers.

You will lead, coach, and develop your teams, whilst also undertaking a variety of personal performance aspects of your job role. You will also support in the delivery of new initiatives and helping to embed a culture of continuous improvement.

Job description

• Line management responsibilities involving leading, coaching and developing a team of Licensing Managers
• Ensuring your team delivers against the unit’s objectives, driving continuous improvement in quality and efficiency, whilst making sure particular care is taken with difficult and sensitive cases
• Foster a positive, inclusive team culture that supports learning, continuous improvement and constructive engagement with change
• Lead on the introduction of Quality Assurance (QA), liaising with relevant stakeholders to implement a robust process to ensure the quality of work and processes within the unit
• Key role in ensuring the end-to-end licencing process operates smoothly and efficiently
• Engage with exporters to help resolve any barriers to processing licence applications
• Working with OGDs to remove barriers and meet our published performance targets, escalating where appropriate and contributing to Continuous Improvement initiatives
• Lead on the Units Continuous Improvement initiatives, setting out a programme of works and reporting to the G7 Head of Licensing Unit and CI
• Draft submissions and provide analytical assessments, updates and reports as and when required
• Build knowledge and upskill in specialist case work areas

Person specification

Essential criteria

The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage.

• Knowledge of and experience working in export controls
• Previous line management experience in an operational delivery team
• Proven experience in identifying and leading change initiatives in an operational environment
• Confidently build strong networks and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrate resilience and ownership when managing challenging situations in a high-pressure environment
• Strong prioritisation skills to lead on simultaneous tasks and projects
• Team player who is willing to help and support other colleagues when necessary
• Flexible and adaptable to change

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.

• We particularly wish to encourage applications from candidates with a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) background and from those who have a background in pragmatic problem solving and client relationship management.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £42,391, Department for Business and Trade contributes £12,280 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.

• A Personal Statement of up to 750 w