Head of Technical Delivery

Government Recruitment Service; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking a leader for the Technical Assessment Unit to manage a team of specialists in export controls. You will oversee the classification of goods and provide technical advice across various sectors. Ideal candidates will have a strong STEM or cyber security background, experience in making significant technical judgements, and strong communication skills. Some travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Considerable experience applying STEM or cyber security qualifications in a professional environment.
• Ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly to experts and non-practitioners.
• Willingness to undergo Developed Vetting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Technical Assessment Unit with around 20 staff.
• Act as ECJU’s ultimate technical authority for goods classification.
• Ensure the efficient running of the Unit during transition to the new online licensing system.
• Provide expert technical advice on military and commercial goods.
• Represent ECJU in interactions with other government bodies.
• Engage with exporters and international partners to explain requirements.

Skills

STEM qualifications

Cyber security expertise

Strong communication skills

Technical judgement

Job description

Overview

The Export Control Joint Unit’s (ECJU) mission is to promote global security through strategic export controls for military and dual use goods, and to facilitate responsible exports. It is part of the Economic Security and Trade Relations Directorate in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The Unit brings together operational and policy expertise from DBT with embedded advisory teams from the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

ECJU is an integral part of the export control system, with its core function of considering applications for export licences. This work includes a range of issues including National Security, International Humanitarian Law and Counter-Proliferation.

ECJU also works closely with other parts of Government, including the HM Revenue 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. ECJU supports 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.

The Technical Assessment Unit (TAU) supports the work of ECJU through the delivery of accurate and timely expert technical advice relating to the export and transfer of military and commercial goods, technology & software, across a wide range of industry sectors and a broad scope of established and emerging of technologies.

Role and Team

Reporting to the G6 Head of Operations you will lead and manage a large Unit of 20 staff, comprising of mainly technical specialists from a broad spectrum of scientific, technological, engineering and mathematical (STEM) or cyber security backgrounds, supported by three SEO team leaders. You will also be responsible for the work of two SEO export control regime specialists who act as technical leads engaged in the development and maintenance of export controls as part of the UK’s obligations to the Multi-lateral Export Control Regimes (MECRs).

The Unit’s primary responsibility is the classification of goods, software and technology intended for export against the Strategic Export Control Lists (SECL), which specify those military and dual-use items which are subject to the UK’s Strategic Export Control Regulations. The TAU provides expert technical advice for around 17,000 export licence applications each year, which can account for at least £10 billion of export trade from the UK. The team also supports the work of HMRC and Border Force in the enforcement of export controls. The Unit responds to up to 2,000 enquiries per annum for consignments detained at the border and, when necessary, provides witness statements and attend court where HMRC bring a prosecution for alleged breaches of export controls. The team also provides advice to exporters to assist them in the interpretation and application of export controls to their products.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the TAU, a unit of around 20 staff including technical specialists and SEO team leads, with two SEO export control regime specialists.
• Act as ECJU’s ultimate technical authority for decisions on goods classification and ensure SECLs remain relevant and effective in the context of accelerating technological development and emerging technologies.
• Ensure efficient running of the Unit during transition to the new online licensing system, LITE, and identify Continuous Improvement (CI) opportunities with the G7 management team.
• Provide accurate, timely expert technical advice relating to the export and transfer of military and commercial goods, technology and software across diverse sectors and technologies.
• Represent ECJU in interactions with HMRC, Border Force, and other government bodies; support enforcement efforts and prepare witness statements or attend court when required.
• Prepare written submissions to Ministers and provide briefings to senior department officials as needed.
• Engage with exporters and international partners, including occasional travel, to explain requirements and interpretations of export controls.
• Maintain visibility across ECJU sites (London and Darlington) and ensure effective collaboration with the broader team.

Requirements and Qualities

You will need considerable experience applying your STEM or cyber security qualifications in a professional environment requiring significant technical judgements. You should be able to quickly establish a deep understanding of the UK’s Strategic Export Control Regulations and to communicate complex technical issues clearly to both experts and non-practitioners. The role may require travel and a willingness to undergo Developed Vetting, as this is a designated post that attracts a specialist pay enhancement.