Main Purpose of Job:

The British Embassy Tokyo is seeking a Trade Policy and Economic Security Officer to work in our busy and dynamic Economic Diplomacy Directorate across both our Trade Policy and Economic Affairs Teams. The Trade Policy and Economic Affairs teams work with a wide range of stakeholders in the UK and Japanese governments, industrial groups, academics and businesses to deliver UK trade policy objectives in Japan and the Asia Pacific region, in particular the bilateral economic partnership between the UK and Japan.

The role of the Trade Policy and Economic Security Officer is to support both the Head of Bilateral Trade Policy and First Secretary Economic Security on bilateral and regional trade policy and economic security issues. The jobholder will work closely with internal and external stakeholders to gather intelligence on trade policy and economic security issues, prepare reports for readers in London and Tokyo, organise calls and meetings, and help prepare ministerial and senior official visits.

Working within the Trade Policy and Economic Affairs Teams presents an opportunity to learn the dynamics of trade and economy discussions as we implement the commitments made in the Hiroshima Accord, play an active role as the newest member of CPTPP, implement our bilateral Free Trade Agreement with Japan, and work on high profile issues relating to economic security. Working with teams across the Japan Network and UK ministries will give the jobholder experience across a wide range of sectors and issues affecting UK companies in Japan.

What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve:

• Support the Trade Policy and Economic Affairs teams in delivering objectives around our bilateral economic security and trade relationship with Japan, particularly the implementation and utilisation of our bilateral Free Trade Agreement and relationship with Japan on economic security. Support the Trade Policy and Economic Affairs teams on our broader multilateral and regional trade interests with Japan.
• Relationship management (30%): Develop and maintain relationships with Japanese and UK government departments and other stakeholders, to assist lobbying and information gathering on trade and economic security policy issues.
• Meeting, visit and events support (40%): Assist in planning and delivering visit programmes for ministers and senior government officials, working closely with the Head of Bilateral Trade Policy, First Secretary Economic Security and the Embassy Visits Officer. Provide support to intergovernmental meetings and dialogues. Provide administrative support to the Trade Policy and Economic Affairs Teams, and wider Embassy activities.
• Research and reporting (30%): Research and report on trade and economic security policy issues in Japan such as developments in Japan’s on-going trade negotiations and existing trade deals, economic security priorities and other regional trade and economy discussions. Monitoring the trade and business environment in Japan with a view to impact on UK interests and engaging with companies on our trade priorities will also be a core part of the role.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience:

• Interest in developing trade and economic policy knowledge
• Strong analytical, research and stakeholder management skills
• Strong organisational and planning skills

Language Requirements:

This role requires written and spoken proficiency in both English and Japanese. Fluency (minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework*) in one language and business level (minimum of high B2) in the other.

*Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages sets the following mastery or proficiency levels:

• C2: Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express themself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
• B2: Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:

• An active interest in government policy, trade, economic security policy and industrial policy issues
• Experience of working with Japanese and British businesses and/ or governments
• Experience of planning and coordinating projects with multiple stakeholders

Full job details are accessible via our official website (click apply). Kindly submit your application before 23:55 on 30 April 2025 (Japan time).