Trade and Customs Specialist – Technical Writer

The Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT) is seeking to hire a trade and customs practitioner with a passion for writing and learning content creation to fill a new and exciting position in its expanding team.

As the leading UK membership body for those working in exporting and importing, the IOE&IT is experiencing fast growth in demand for its services. We are now recruiting a Trade & Customs Specialist who can work as a Technical Writer for our Special Projects.

The new role involves learning materials creation and delivery of training and consultancy for the IOE&IT’s renowned Academy division.

This long-established team has an impressive reputation in the market as a provider of Ofqual-approved qualifications and training courses, as well as bespoke consultancy and learning projects, in the fields of trade and customs.

With a broad client base that includes public sector organisations, major retailers and manufacturers in the UK and overseas, this is a dynamic team at the forefront of training and educating individuals to trade effectively, sustainably and competitively.

The role is primarily home based but will require occasional face-to-face meetings in either our office in Peterborough / London, or selected clients.

THE ROLE

This new role combines content creation for IOE&IT training and education projects and products with delivering some of this content as well as consulting for clients. The successful candidate will work with and be supported by experienced colleagues skilled in trade and customs content creation and editing.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

You’re an experienced trade and customs specialist with strong practical knowledge of customs systems and a real passion for learning and accuracy. Having experience of working in industry, perhaps in an internationally trading company, customs intermediary or wider border infrastructure, you may be looking for your next career challenge in a forward-thinking organisation.

This is an unmissable opportunity for someone looking to make that career move, bringing your existing trade and customs skills and knowledge to bear in a content creation and consulting role.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and revise the Academy’s multi-format learning material content on client projects, training and education products
• Maintain strong, accurate knowledge of customs regulatory environments, both in the UK and overseas for application to IOE&IT training and educational products and projects
• Maintain strong knowledge of customs systems, processes, procedures and legislation for application to IOE&IT training and educational products and projects
• Liaising with account managers and other internal stakeholders to ensure projects remain on track, or take remedial action if not
• Undertake regular meetings (virtual or in person) with project stakeholders, including external clients
• Support the IOE&IT bids team in applying for new projects, as required
• Act as an ambassador for the IOE&IT through public speaking engagements (including industry events), both face to face and through online webinars and podcasts
• Support development of content for the IOE&IT website, external publications and for the members-only platform
• Communicate in an articulate, professional, and informed manner across all levels of the business, both internally and externally
• To maintain the integrity of the business through the accurate and timely recording of all relevant data
• Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with a changing environment and a proactive business function, fulfilling any other duties as may reasonably be required by the business.

ABOUT YOU

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Minimum five years’ practical experience in trade and customs, gained at an internationally trading company and/or intermediary service provider such as a customs broker or freight forwarder or wider border infrastructure industry
• Strong knowledge of the customs and international trade regulatory environment, in particular UK and EU legislation
• Working knowledge of customs systems such as CDS
• Proven ability in writing about trade and customs

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Creating and editing learning materials
• Tutoring and/or teaching students
• Trade and customs consulting for clients
• Knowledge or experience in goods movements in any or some of the following vertical sectors:

1. Sanitary and phytosanitary products
2. Retail
3. Manufacturing
4. Pharma
5. Energy

Knowledge or experience in any or some of the following areas:

• Customs special procedures
• Trade in services
• E-commerce trade
• VAT
• Professional qualification in customs and trade
• Strong presentation skills, proven record of delivering training

BENEFITS

• 25 days paid Annual Leave
• Birthday off each Year
• Annual performance-related bonus
• Company pension
• Private healthcare
• Personalised training
• A range of discounts for shopping, holidays and cinema attendance

ABOUT THE IOE&IT

The Institute is the leading association of exporters and importers, providing education and training to professionalise the UK’s international traders.

Based in Peterborough and London, the IOE&IT is fast-growing as demand for our digital training and education products grows after the UK’s transition from the EU.

As a partner with UK government, we deliver national and international programmes, acting as evangelists for the UK and establishing UK processes and standards globally.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

IOE&IT is a company with a charitable status that believes in diversity and inclusion, as shown in the hiring and progression of our team members. The IOE&IT’s workforce is truly diverse – in age, nationality, gender and location.

With a passion for nurturing, supporting and including all team members – no matter who you are – we celebrate identity. We are proud of who we are and where we come from.

As an Investors in People accredited organisation, we care about and prioritise all of our team members daily. We ensure to engage with and listen to everyone.

Our Disability Confident and Mindful Employer accreditations express our commitment to the specialist needs and mental health of IOE&IT team members.

Having family-friendly policies allows our employees to partake in a flexible work environment so they can take care of children and loved ones.

HOW TO APPLY

Click on the Apply link and you will be re-directed to the company website where you can upload your CV.

The application process will involve technical knowledge tests to assess customs expertise followed by writing tests to assess suitability for role. So you will need to proficient in both areas.