Senior Trade Adviser (Financial Services, Professional and Business Services, Digital & Tech)

Who We Are: The British Embassy in The Hague is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. It is also part of the UK’s Netherlands Network. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) at the British Embassy in The Netherlands is currently looking for a Senior Trade Adviser Financial Services, Professional and Business Services, Digital & Technologies . DBT is a UK Government department which helps build an appetite for British goods and services globally, promotes and finances international trade and investment, and champions global free trade. The DBT Netherlands team comprises 16 staff. It is one of the largest teams in the DBT Europe Region (300 staff across 34 countries) and works closely with colleagues in London and across the UK to improve market access for business, shape trade policy and boost exports and investment. The team’s work is crucial to supporting the UK economy. The Netherlands is the UK’s third largest trading partner, with bilateral trade accounting for more than £108bn in 2024 – 6% of total UK trade. The UK and the Netherlands are long-standing partners with a like-minded approach. Main purpose of job: As Senior Trade Adviser, you will lead the UK Government’s efforts to significantly enhance the export of Financial Services, Professional & Business Services, Digital & Tech from the UK to the Netherlands. These are three of the eight key sectors under the UK Government’s recently launched Modern Industrial Strategy. You will help UK companies to grow their exports in the Netherlands and work with colleagues in the UK and across Europe to develop and deliver strategic export campaigns. Your daily work is a combination of proactive and reactive export promotion work in combination with market intelligence reporting. This role will drive commercially-focused initiatives, leveraging deep networks and industry-specific expertise to proactively identify, develop, and maximize commercial opportunities within the market. The role is critical to advancing the UK's strategic economic and trade objectives, requiring an individual who is commercially astute, strategically proactive, and adept at navigating complex environments. You will also focus on market access issues that affect UK exporters. Roles and responsibilities: Develop and implement targeted, strategic plans to increase UK Financial Services, Professional & Business Services, Digital & Tech exports to the Netherlands. Conduct detailed market analysis to identify growth sectors, emerging market trends, and competitor positioning. Provide expert strategic advice to UK businesses, guiding and facilitating their entry and sustainable expansion within the market. Foster and maintain robust industry networks across the Netherlands and the EU, securing partnerships and strategic alliances to boost trade. Proactively identify export opportunities (demand scoping, tenders) and share them with your UK network. Organise meetings and trade events to connect suppliers with potential buyers. Inform colleagues in the UK through market briefings. Identify market access barriers, advocate proactively for policy changes, and develop strategies to navigate and mitigate these barriers. Support other sector teams to identify higher value services opportunities. Act as the primary representative of DBT and the UK Government at high-profile industry events, sector-specific conferences, and official bilateral engagements. The role is a great opportunity for a talented and highly motivated individual to make a real impact in bilateral trade and is based at our office at the British Embassy in The Hague, which is part of a worldwide network of 230 Diplomatic Posts, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. Essential qualifications, skills and experience Our Ideal Candidate shows: Full professional proficiency in English, written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*; Professional proficiency in Dutch, minimum of B2 level for CEFR framework; Minimum 3 years of commercial experience in at least one of the following sectors: Financial Services, Professional & Business Services, Digital & Tech, demonstrating a clear track record of driving successful commercial outcomes; Well-established network of influential industry contacts within the market; Strong understanding of Dutch market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, business culture, and bilateral and EU trade environment; Exceptional interpersonal skills, with strong capabilities in communication, relationship-building, and strategic influence. Desirable qualifications, skills and experience Nice to have: Prior experience working in international environments, with UK business or trade promotion organizations. Required behaviours Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture Application deadline 21 July 2025 Grade Executive Officer (EO) Type of Position Full-time, Fixed Term Start Date 15 September 2025 Other benefits and conditions of employment The base salary for this position is €4,481.55 gross per month, based on a working week of 36 hours. In addition, an 8% holiday allowance is payable each year. The successful candidate will initially be offered a 12 months employment contract with the possibility of renewal at Executive Officer (EO) grade. Working hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 with a flexible working hours arrangement. We currently work three days a week in the office in The Hague and two days from home. We offer a benefits package including: Travel (commuter) allowance Defined contribution Pension Scheme Performance related bonus A minimum of 25 days annual leave per year UK and Dutch public and privilege holidays Access to the FCDO learning & development (L&D) platform Annual L&D leave entitlement The opportunity to work in an international environment; Europe DBT network and the Embassy in the Netherlands are a rewarding and exciting place to work, offering: Scope for personal and professional development: Excellent networks and opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching, job shadowing and secondments; Strong offer for learning and development, including dedicated L&D days; An equal, diverse and engaged workplace; Work-life balance. Job conditions: The job description is subject to changes and may evolve over time and in response to changing circumstances. The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times. The Embassy promotes and demonstrates the core values of Professionalism, Inclusivity, Honesty and Respect in all that we do. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all members of the team are expected to treat each other with respect. We value great teamwork, and we ask that everyone contributes to create a positive atmosphere at work. Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in the Netherlands and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in the Netherlands. The successful candidate will be required to provide a BSN (citizen service number) on their start date and will need to arrange and pay for their own travel and accommodation, as well as any other living costs. The successful candidate will undergo a professional background check. Any job offer is also subject to a successful security clearance check. Equal employment We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. DBT Europe Network want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background. Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Learning & Development: Formal and informal learning sit at the core of DBT’s strategic vision and people plan. You are entitled to 5 days of learning per year and have access to training organised at the Embassy and online e-learning platforms of the FCDO and DBT. Due to the nature of the role and how the Embassy is organised you will have excellent exposure to other areas of diplomatic work, with the opportunity to job shadow other departments. Additional information The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and 1 month probationary period. Start date is an indicative target start date. Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”. We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered. Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen. Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position. *Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR . Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

Location: The Hague, South Holland, NL

Posted Date: 7/11/2025