View Vacancy – Senior Trade Adviser (FRA26-009556)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category

Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)

Job Subcategory

Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Who We Are:

The British Embassy in Paris is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. It is also part of the UK’s France Network. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) at the British Embassy in Paris as a Senior Trade Adviser. You will play a key role in supporting UK businesses—particularly SMEs—to export successfully to France, the UK’s fifth largest trading partner.

This is a high-impact, outward-facing role combining commercial insight, stakeholder engagement, and practical export support.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) works to grow the UK economy by promoting international trade and investment and championing free trade globally.

Based in the British Embassy in Paris—with a wider presence in Lyon—our team of around 25 colleagues works to:

• Strengthen UK–France commercial relationships
• Increase UK exports to France
• Support French investment into the UK
• Improve market access and promote UK trade policy

You will also work closely with the International Markets Europe Hub in Prague, the first point of contact for UK exporters seeking support across Europe.

As Senior Trade Adviser – International Markets, you will support high-potential UK exporters to access opportunities in France by providing tailored, practical advice and market insight.

You will act as a key link between UK businesses, DBT teams in France, and the wider European export support network.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain networks with commercial partners, government bodies, and service providers
• Collaborate with DBT sector teams and wider Embassy colleagues

International Coordination

• Work closely with the Prague-based IM Hub to ensure effective triage of export enquiries
• Act as Embassy lead on the DBT Export Support Service

Sector Development (c.30% of role)

• Lead on developing support in a priority sector not currently covered
• Provide tailored assistance to both SMEs and more experienced exporters

Performance & Reporting

• Monitor and report on performance, impact, and budget forecasts
• Provide updates to the IM Europe Leadership Team and local Senior Leadership Team

Team Leadership

• Line manage one junior Trade Adviser
• Share best practice and contribute to capability building across IM Europe

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Our ideal candidate shows:

• English and French C1 level according to CEFR Framework*
• At least 2-3 years of Business to Business and/or business to government experience
• At least 2-3 years Experience in the field of international trade, business and/or exports
• Knowledge of either the French speaking and/or UK business environment
• Strong analytical and research skills including the ability to identify trends
• Strong organisational skills and experience leading projects including events and trade fair participation
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work well with English and French stakeholders, commercial clients, external contacts, and a wide and diverse Embassy team

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Nice to have:

• Track record in supporting businesses exporting in overseas markets
• Experience with line management
• Experience of working in an international environment, representing their organisation in an international context
• Experience of working in a government environment
• Experience of working on market access issues, industrial policy or trade policy
• Knowledge of Creative industries, Consumer goods and Retail or other sector specific knowledge relevant to SME market
• A university degree in relevant field and/or proven commercial/economic experience

Required behaviours

Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Application deadline

6 July 2026

Grade

Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week

35

Region

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory

France

Location (City)

Paris

Type of Post

British Embassy

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

EUR

Salary

4,745 Gross

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

14 September 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full time, permanent contract. The position is based on a 35/h week. The monthly salary is 4745€ (gross). In addition, staff receive meal contribution.

Europe DBT network and the British Embassy in Paris are a rewarding and exciting place to work, offering:

• Scope for personal and professional development: Excellent networks and opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching, and job shadowing.
• Strong offer for learning and development, including dedicated L&D days;
• An equal, diverse and engaged workplace.
• Work-life balance.

All appointments are subject to professional background check satisfactory security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to provide a copy of his/her passport or national identity card for all nationalities held, an up-to-date criminal record (casier judiciaire) for recent countries of residence (which can be obtained online at https://casier-judiciaire.justice.gouv.fr), two written proofs of address (utility invoices and/or bank statements) and two references.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Paris

are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local French employment law and FCO guidance for Local Staff. The posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service.

Your application will only be considered if you follow the guidance below:

• Your application must be sent in English only.
• Your application must clearly indicate all nationalities you hold.

The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.

The start date mentioned in the advert is just an expected start date. The appointment can start earlier or later depending on several factors.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in France 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 this country.

Learning and Development opportunities: The France Network puts a very strong emphasis on L&D and the jobholder will be able to benefit from opportunities offered by the International Academy and civil service learning, as well as informal opportunities within the Embassy on topics.

The DBT France network has a strong ethos of Learning & Development, including internal L&D courses and a budget that can be used for external opportunities. In addition, there will be many opportunities to attend seminars and events on relevant issues. This is in addition to the induction programme offered to all staff.
The successful applicant will be encouraged to be actively involved in the corporate life of the British Embassy, contributing to the wider objectives of the British Government’s through the France network and supporting the British Embassy’s positive working environment.

Working Pattern: The position is based on a 35- hour working week.

This is a full-time position. Our team works flexibly, including some time working remotely. However, in line with current policy, the job holder will be expected to be in the office at least 60% of the week – and more often when required.

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 and the FCDO France Network want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.

Further information
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.

Additional information

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 Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

*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.

The British Embassy Paris wants to create a diverse, inclusive and friendly environment in which people can perform at their best because they feel supported; are able to be themselves in the workplace; and have opportunities to develop and grow. We want all our colleagues, regardless of grade, background or experience, to share our strong sense of purpose and ambition to deliver the best possible outcomes.

We know that diversity of background, experience and thought will help us achieve our goals. We actively encourage applications from colleagues from Minority Ethnic and underrepresented backgrounds and from groups with protected characteristics.

Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.