Description
The International Fisheries and Seafood Trade Directorate leads the UK's international fisheries policy, seafood trade, and fisheries controls agenda. This is a high-profile leadership role operating in a politically sensitive and fast-moving environment, requiring balancing of economic, environmental, diplomatic, and operational priorities.
The team is responsible for:
- International fisheries policy and negotiations
- Management of shared fish stocks
- EU Reset and EU Delivery Programme
- Seafood trade and market access
- Major programmes and digital services
- Fisheries controls and enforcement policy
- Combatting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing
- Stakeholder engagement and influence
- Leadership and delivery
Responsibilities for the role include:
- Overall leadership of a multidisciplinary team of around 50 colleagues
- Providing visible leadership across international fisheries, seafood trade, fisheries controls, and regulatory policy
- Participating in and co-leading the wider corporate activities of the Marine and Fisheries Directorate
- Leading the UK's international fisheries policy and negotiating strategy
- Overseeing engagement with coastal states and international partners on shared fish stocks, fisheries access arrangements, and sustainable fisheries management
- Securing outcomes that balance environmental, economic, and diplomatic interests
- Leading delivery of the fisheries elements of the Government's EU Reset agenda and the Directorate's contribution to the EU Delivery Programme
- Overseeing seafood trade policy
- Leading major programmes, services, and systems that support seafood exports, traceability, and market access
- Ensuring fisheries and seafood interests are effectively represented across Government trade priorities and Free Trade Agreements
- Leading fisheries control and enforcement policy
- Leading domestic and international action to combat IUU fishing
- Managing significant operational, reputational, and policy risks
- Providing strategic advice to Ministers and senior officials
- Acting as senior sponsor for the seafood sector
- Leading delivery of complex and politically sensitive programmes
The successful candidate will have:
- A track record of driving delivery and providing visible and inclusive leadership
- Significant experience of leading complex international negotiations and influencing successful outcomes
- Strong strategic, analytical, and evidence-based decision-making skills
- Proven ability to translate international agreements and commitments into effective policy, programmes, and delivery
Alongside a salary of £86,000, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £24,914 towards being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Benefits include learning and development tailored to the role, flexible working options, a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity, and a Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.