Regulatory Affairs Advisor

Regulatory Affairs Advisor vacancy

We are seeking an expert in international seafood trade and regulation to join our busy and dynamic Seafish Regulation team.  Apply by 27th June.

Quick overview of the Regulatory Affairs Advisor role

• Job status: This is a maternity cover role with a fixed term contract for 12 months.
• Location: Homebased (in the UK) or office-based in one of our offices in Edinburgh or Grimsby.
• Salary: The starting salary on the pay band for this role is £36,918.

This role is ideally suited to a person currently working in a seafood import and export role with extensive knowledge and experience of sourcing seafood from and exporting to a variety of international markets. You will understand the opportunities for the sector in emerging international markets and be passionate about streamlining trading procedures to maximise this opportunity for UK seafood.

About Seafish

Seafish is here to give the UK seafood sector the support it needs to thrive. Our work makes a huge difference. We collaborate with a wide range of partners – from seafood businesses and trade bodies to government, regulators and environmental organisations – and we engage in everything from research to campaigns, insight and training.

About the Regulatory Affairs team

In the Regulatory Affairs team, we work on all regulations covering the safe and legal production and trade of seafood from catch to retail or food service. Our work covers import, export and domestic regulation. From helping small and larger business understand the current and new regulations applicable to their business. We give advice to all from small businesses looking to trade internationally for the first time, to larger international businesses wanting to explore new markets.

How we work

At Seafish we have a trust and performance culture. Performance driven results mean having autonomy and accountability in equal parts, so you can work in the way that’s most effective for you, as long as you deliver your work to the expected standards. You’ll have a personal development plan that outlines the objectives and competencies for your role and learning and development goals. You’ll have regular catch-ups with your line manager, along with mid-year and end of year reviews to discuss your work and performance.

Main responsibilities:

• Working as part of a busy and dynamic team of regulatory professionals tasked with monitoring changes to regulation and official guidance along the entire seafood chain.
• You will be required to analyse and understand legislative text and to develop guidance material to help:
• Industry comply with trade related legislation; and
• Enforcement agencies to understand the unique characteristics of the seafood industry such as small consignments, high perishability, and any seafood specific regulation.
• Establishing effective and constructive relationships with the seafood sector, enforcement agencies and regulators to facilitate a smooth trading environment and swift resolution of any trade issues as they arise.
• Developing and maintaining contacts with UK/International trade organisations, to share information on wider trading issues or proposals such as changes to logistics and customs
• Providing insight and guidance to the Seafish importers and exporters forums to enhance the customs and trade advice.
• Enhancing the regulation team input into Seafish’s international trade promotion work.
• Acting as the point of contact for resolving international trade and customs issues.
• To establish a reputation as a provider of expert and independent advice on rules and procedures relating to international trade and customs
• Producing guidance material for the seafood sector on changes to the trading environment that may affect their business.
• Working collaboratively with other Seafish teams to ensure work programme objectives are met and to contribute to the wider objectives of the organisation.
• Responding to ad-hoc enquiries as required.

Key Attributes:

• Have sufficient international seafood trade experience to be able to work with minimal training and supervision and work under own initiative.
• Be able to identify relevant information and be able to communicate and adapt the information to a wide variety of audience.
• Be able to identify new issues arising within the scope of work stream and manage the response, to include identifying and working with the appropriate people in industry and government. Using their judgement and referring upwards where there is significant political or financial risk.
• Have experience of convening workshops and facilitating discussions between stakeholders and policy makers.
• Have experience of working with communication professionals to ensure the work of the regulatory team is targeted, clearly communicated to the targeted audience.
• Manage work priorities, workload and diary commitments, meetings, conferences etc.

Knowledge, skills and experience required

• Educated to degree level in a related discipline or significant relevant and worked experience in a similarly role.
• Strong and demonstrable experience in an international seafood trade role with ability to work independently.
• Excellent knowledge of international trade processes such as contracts of supply, incoterms, customs declarations and border procedures.
• Ability to identify new issues, manage responses, and provide expert advice on international trade and customs.
• Organised with ability to manage work priorities, workload, and diary commitments independently while contributing to team and organisational goals.
• Expert report writing skills and a high standard of literacy to understand legislation and write expert interventions and produce formal guidance documents accessible to a variety of audiences.
• Competent IT systems usage.
• Excellent problem solving and communication skills with ability to convey complex regulatory information to diverse audiences.
• Experienced in establishing relationships with industry, enforcement agencies, and regulators, and facilitating discussions between stakeholders and policymakers.
• Knowledge of Free Trade Agreement negotiation and implementation would be an advantage.

Every role is Seafish is linked to our bespoke competency framework. The competency levels for this role are:

• Growing Expertise – Creates a learning and development environment
• Embracing Change – Shows the ability to adapt to change
• Building Relationships – Builds effective teams to deliver corporate strategy
• Achieving Results – Overcomes challenging circumstances to achieve high-quality results
• Influencing with Impact – Communicates Complex Message

Salary and benefits

All roles within Seafish are graded and have defined salary bands. This role is a grade 5 post, and the starting salary is at £36,918. A new member’s appointment on the pay spine is dependent on the experience they bring to the role when they start. New candidates normally start at the lower end of the range unless they can demonstrate considerable experience in the requirements of the role.

Additional benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays and wellbeing break when the organisation closes between Christmas and New Year (3 additional days).
• Optional five days per year paid volunteering leave for an activity of your choice.
• Trust and Performance culture – you work in a way that suits you to get your work done to the expected standard.
• A generous employer pension scheme – we will double your contribution up to a maximum employer contribution of 10%.
• A range of health and wellbeing benefits including the Cycle to Work scheme, private medical insurance, gym discounts and eye care.
• Our unlimited employee assistance scheme is a support service available 24/7 – it offers confidential, impartial advice on anything you need such as work, family, finance support or anything else personal to you.
• A professional development culture with plenty of learning opportunities.
• Rewards for high performance each year.

How to apply

If you are interested in this role, we can't wait to hear from you!

Your application should include:

• A covering letter or a short video explaining why you are a suitable candidate.
• A recent copy of your CV so we can find out more about your skills and experience.
• A completed copy of our  .

Candidates invited to interview will be given at least one weeks’ notice of proposed interview date to allow you to prepare. At this stage you  may be asked to complete a short task in advance of interview. The interview will include competency-based questions.

If at any point during our recruitment and selection process you require any accommodations or special arrangements, please reach out to us.

For any queries please email .