International Fisheries and Seafood Trade Deputy Director

The International Fisheries and Seafood Trade Directorate leads the UK's international fisheries policy, seafood trade and fisheries controls agenda, delivering on behalf of the whole of the UK through a complex devolution settlement. The team works closely with Devolved Governments, government departments, regulators, delivery partners, industry representatives and international organisations.

This is a high-profile leadership role operating in a politically sensitive and fast-moving environment. The role requires balancing economic, environmental, diplomatic and operational priorities while leading a portfolio that is critical to the long-term sustainability and success of the UK fishing and seafood sectors.

The team is responsible for a number of key activities, including:

• International fisheries policy and negotiations - Leading the UK's engagement in international fisheries forums and negotiations, representing UK interests with coastal states, international organisations and bilateral partners.
• Management of shared fish stocks - Securing sustainable outcomes for commercially important shared fish stocks, balancing industry needs with long-term environmental sustainability.
• EU Reset and EU Delivery Programme - Leading delivery of fisheries priorities within the Government's EU Reset agenda and the Directorate's contribution to the EU Delivery Programme.
• Seafood trade and market access - Overseeing policies, systems and services that support seafood imports and exports, ensuring businesses can trade efficiently, legally and with minimal friction.
• Major programmes and digital services - Leading significant programmes and services that support seafood exports, traceability, certification and market access.
• Fisheries controls and enforcement policy - Developing and maintaining a robust and proportionate policy framework that supports sustainable fisheries management and effective compliance.
• Combatting Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing - Leading domestic and international action to strengthen controls, improve compliance and tackle illegal fishing activity.
• Stakeholder engagement and influence - Building relationships with Ministers, Devolved Governments, regulators, industry representatives and international partners, while responding to parliamentary and media interest.
• Leadership and delivery - Leading a multidisciplinary team of around 50 colleagues and delivering a complex portfolio of high-profile policies, programmes and services.

We are looking for a high-performing and motivated individual to lead the International Fisheries and Seafood Trade Directorate. Responsibilities for the role include:

Leadership and Capability

• Overall leadership of a multidisciplinary team of around 50 colleagues, fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture and building capability across the Directorate.
• Provide visible leadership across international fisheries, seafood trade, fisheries controls and regulatory policy.
• Participate in and co-lead the wider corporate activities of the Marine and Fisheries Directorate.

International Leadership and Negotiations

• Lead the UK's international fisheries policy and negotiating strategy, representing UK interests in international forums and bilateral relationships.
• Oversee engagement with coastal states and international partners on shared fish stocks, fisheries access arrangements and sustainable fisheries management.
• Secure outcomes that balance environmental, economic and diplomatic interests and support the long-term sustainability and prosperity of the UK fishing industry.

Trade, EU Reset and Programme Delivery

• Lead delivery of the fisheries elements of the Government's EU Reset agenda and the Directorate's contribution to the EU Delivery Programme.
• Oversee seafood trade policy, ensuring imports and exports can move smoothly, efficiently and legally while responding to changing international requirements.
• Lead major programmes, services and systems that support seafood exports, traceability and market access, including responsibility for significant programme investment and delivery.
• Ensure fisheries and seafood interests are effectively represented across Government trade priorities and Free Trade Agreements.

Fisheries Controls, Compliance and Risk

• Lead fisheries control and enforcement policy, ensuring a robust and proportionate regulatory framework for sustainable fisheries management.
• Lead domestic and international action to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• Manage significant operational, reputational and policy risks across a high-profile portfolio subject to ministerial, stakeholder and media scrutiny.

Ministerial Advice, Stakeholder Engagement and Delivery

• Provide strategic advice to Ministers and senior officials on international fisheries, seafood trade and regulatory issues.
• Act as senior sponsor for the seafood sector, building effective relationships with industry, regulators, delivery partners, devolved governments and international stakeholders.
• Lead delivery of complex and politically sensitive programmes, ensuring Government priorities are translated into effective policy and operational outcomes.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

As part of the application process, candidates are asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement (no more than 1250 words) on how your relevant skills and experience meet the essential criteria. Completed applications must be submitted no later than the closing date of 23:55pm, Sunday 15th November 2026.

Sift

A sift will be conducted against the key criteria above and will assess your experience. Applications will be assessed by the selection panel and shortlisted.

Staff Engagement Exercise

These assessments will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panel’s decision-making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview. Full details of the assessment process will be provided to shortlisted

candidates at the earliest opportunity. For further information regarding the assessments please visit -

https://scs-assessments.co.uk/

Interview

You will be asked to attend a panel interview, to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the essential criteria for the role. As part of the interview, we will ask you to prepare a short presentation. This will be confirmed in the interview invitation.

• Interviews are expected to be held face to face in London, however this is subject to panel availability and may alternatively take place via MS Teams. You will be notified in due course after shortlisting.

The Security Clearance Required for this role is Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) but willingness to obtain SC will be required

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.