Import Sanctions Policy Adviser

Posting date:	03 June 2025
Salary:	£34,254 to £39,994 per year
Additional salary information:	National: £34, 254 - £36, 142 London: £38,138 - £39,994
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	22 June 2025
Location:	Birmingham
Company:	Government Recruitment Service
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	408703/3

Summary

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Import Controls and Sanctions Team is responsible for developing and operating the UK’s regime of import controls and sanctions, responding to national security and policy developments. The team sits within the wider Import Control and Strategy Team, which also oversees forced labour policy and import licencing. The latter represents UK import licencing interests at the WTO and in UK Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), and houses the Import Licensing Branch (ILB), which issues import licences for all controlled goods (except those subject to import sanctions, which this team oversees).

As a team, we work to develop effective, impactful sanctions, which achieve the UK’s international, national security, and statutory objectives, and protect business and public interests. We play a leading role in developing and implementing new and existing sanctions with ministers, industry, and global partners – import sanctions are a core lever in HMG’s trade and economic security policy. Alongside policy development, the team review and issue import licences for sanctioned goods on behalf of the Secretary of State.

This is a stretching HEO role, with excellent opportunities for exposure to high-profile policy issues and senior stakeholders. The successful candidate can expect to develop both policy and operational capabilities in a supportive, high-performing team environment. You would also play a direct role in contributing to wider priorities across the sanctions, trade/ foreign policy, and national security agenda.

While the team has an interest in the import-elements of all UK sanctions, Russia is our key focus at present, constituting a key pillar of the Russia/ Ukraine response. Sanctions introduced since the invasion have reduced imports from Russia to the UK by around 99%.

The postholder would be primarily responsible for supporting work to design, implement and facilitate import sanctions policy, including internal and cross-Departmental coordination with sanctions colleagues, providing advice to ministers and senior stakeholders, overseeing external communications vis-à-vis parliamentary, public and business enquiries, and publishing online guidance on gov.uk. We would also expect the postholder to support other areas of the team as required, including managing import licence applications for sanctioned goods.

The role receives significant Ministerial and senior attention, due to high parliamentary, media, and business interest in import sanctions. The team ultimately play a key role in DBT’s work to defend the UK’s interests and security, through the effective development and deployment of import sanctions.

Import Sanctions Implementation: Support policy and operational solutions to emerging and cross-cutting issues in import sanctions. Work closely with other policy teams within DBT, and legal, as well as the FCDO, HMT, HMRC and other government departments to develop, implement and review import sanctions measures. Strengthen compliance, awareness and understanding of import sanctions measures through external and internal engagement. 

Communications: This is a public-facing role, including first port of call for business and stakeholder engagement, with the role-holder empowered to respond directly on complex matters, or escalate as appropriate - this is managed primarily through a dedicated public inbox. This includes providing bespoke advice to HMRC and OGDs, often at pace, on sanctions and controls relating to individual consignments at the UK border.

Briefing and correspondence: Handling parliamentary, public, and business communication on import sanctions work, including PQs and FOI requests, and preparing briefs, advice or presentations for Ministers, Seniors and OGDs. This also includes maintaining a standard lines communication document and various logs and record management of engagement.

Licensing: Supporting assessment of individual sanctions licence applications, coordinating input and evidence from DBT and HMG policy and legal experts and businesses to do so. Producing bespoke advice on individual applications for senior official and Ministerial decision. Liaising with applicants throughout the application process. Leading policy and operational solutions to emerging and cross-cutting licensing issues. Management of the sanctions licence application process in its entirety, including identifying and progressing opportunities for continuous improvement. Handling wider parliamentary, public, and business communication on import sanctions licensing. Issuing approved licences and use of a dedicated online licencing platform.

Wider work: Supporting wider work within the Import Controls and Sanctions team as required .

Candidates who meet the criteria but aren’t offered the role may be offered another role within the directorate.

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