About the Group
The International Group advises ministers on promoting and protecting the UK’s international economic interests, to ensure the UK thrives in an ever-changing global economy. We do this through our policy and operational work on a range of areas ranging from free trade agreements, climate change, countering illicit finance, financial sanctions to supporting developing countries and managing our relationship with Europe, US, and emerging markets.
We support the Chancellor and senior officials in building relationships with a wide range of external and international partners and represent the UK in a range of international organisations, such as the G7, the G20 and the International Monetary Fund as well as Multilateral Development Banks. We also analyse what is happening in the world economy, and control spending on international development. Although international travel is an important part of some roles, it is not required for every role in the group and will be specified if required.
The International Group advises ministers on promoting and protecting the UK’s international economic interests, to ensure the UK thrives in an ever-changing global economy. We do this through our policy and operational work on a range of areas ranging from free trade agreements, climate change, countering illicit finance, financial sanctions to supporting developing countries and managing our relationship with Europe, US, and emerging markets.
We support the Chancellor and senior officials in building relationships with a wide range of external and international partners and represent the UK in a range of international organisations, such as the G7, the G20 and the International Monetary Fund as well as Multilateral Development Banks. We also analyse what is happening in the world economy, and control spending on international development. Although international travel is an important part of some roles, it is not required for every role in the group and will be specified if required.
About the Team
The Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) within HM Treasury has been operational since March 2016 and in its first six years quickly established itself as a world-leader in financial sanctions, a key area of financial, foreign and national security policy. It remains front and centre of an unprecedented financial sanctions response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
HM Treasury implements financial sanctions in the UK, and OFSI fulfils this role on its behalf. It leads on the implementation of UN and UK financial sanctions and domestic terrorist asset freezing, providing a high-quality service to the private and charitable sectors, and guidance to help them follow the law. It works closely with law enforcement, intelligence agencies and strategic policy colleagues across Whitehall and beyond to help ensure that financial sanctions are accurately understood, implemented and enforced. OFSI has important partner relationships in the regulated financial services sector, the primary implementers of financial sanctions, and is an integral part of the sanctions community worldwide. Recently OFSI has also taken on responsibility for the implementation of the Oil Price Cap of Russian oil.
Robust enforcement of financial sanctions helps to maintain the integrity of and confidence in the UK financial sector, a priority for the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. OFSI has strong powers, including to impose civil monetary penalties, and is in the front line in the fight against this serious crime.
There are currently 33 financial sanctions regimes, including sanctions relating to Russia, North Korea, Iran, Syria and Libya. Approximately 3,700 individuals and entities are targets of sanctions. OFSI also implements domestic terrorist-asset freezes under the counter-terror legislation.
OFSI is a diverse and dynamic team of 100 people, from a variety of backgrounds and professions. The team is continuing to expand, with multiple roles available across several of our specialist units. We offer an outstanding environment to broaden your experience and develop new skills, whilst working on some of the highest profile international issues the UK faces. We strongly support a good work-life balance and flexible working is actively encouraged.
We are recruiting for roles involving the licensing of activities that would otherwise breach sanctions, and in the enforcement of our sanctions regimes. These roles are across our work in financial sanctions and an OFSI-led trade sanction, which sanctions provision of maritime services supporting Russian oil shipments above a certain oil price.
You can read more about OFSI on our gov.uk page here:
https://www.gov.uk/ofsi
You can read our most recent annual review, published in November 2022, here:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1116689/OFSI_Annual_Review_2021-22_10.11.22.pdf
The Role
The Economic Deterrent Initiative (EDI) was announced by the Prime Minister as part of the Integrated Review Refresh. This is up to £50 million of funding for the UK to strengthen our diplomatic and economic tools to respond to and deter hostile acts by current and future aggressors. The funding will improve the UK’s sanctions implementation and enforcement. It will do so my maximising the impact of trade, transport and financial sanctions, including tackling sanctions evasion. It will also be used to prepare HMG for future scenarios where the UK may need to deter or respond to hostile acts and bolster the type of work the UK has done with the G7 in response to the invasion of Ukraine. The HMT Programme will sit under the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund – latest annual report can be found here.
You will be responsible for programme and project management of the HMT portfolio of projects in the EDI. HMT has responsibility for a range of projects related to financial sanction implementation. This includes responsibility for millions of pounds of spend.
You will be expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy and be able to support, challenge and influence to ensure the project is on track for successful delivery.
Your key responsibilities will be:
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Project Management – Support Day to day management of the project.
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Support in building and maintaining project plans and apply appropriate project principles to deliver stated objectives.
- Support the tracking and reporting of delivery against milestones,
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Support the creation of project reports for dissemination to Programme Boards.
- Support the management of the HMT Financial Sanctions Programme, including the design of the governance process and management of reporting requirements.
To ensure, in this role, you will need to ensure the portfolio is compliant with the International Development Gender Equality Act (2014) by demonstrating consideration for gender equality throughout CSSF programmes, and supporting CSSF ambitions in line with the UK Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan 2023-2027.”
We are looking for someone who:
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Has been involved in the delivery of projects and understands project methodologies. For example, around planning, stakeholder engagement, governance, managing risks, issues, and benefits.
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Has knowledge and previous experience of successfully supporting colleagues to deliver projects.
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Enjoys building and improving relationships with others, keeping those who need to know aware of emerging issues and trends within the project.
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Can plan and co-ordinate complex workloads, prioritising and delivering outputs in a fast-paced and changeable working environment.
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Has effective interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication skills, presentation, and collaborative team-working skills
Desirable Experience
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Experience in working within a PMO is desirable but not essential.