Customs & Duty Framework Specialist - Central Government

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CUSTOMS & DUTY FRAMEWORK SPECIALIST

Customs Risk Oversight

• Provide independent oversight of customs compliance activities across the business.
• Assess and challenge the effectiveness of first-line customs controls and processes.
• Identify, assess, and report customs-related risks and control weaknesses.
• Support the development and maintenance of the customs risk framework.

Monitoring and Assurance

• Conduct thematic reviews, control testing, and compliance monitoring activities.
• Review customs declarations, classifications, origin determinations, valuation methodologies, and duty management processes.
• Monitor compliance with Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) requirements and other customs authorisations where applicable.
• Evaluate compliance with import/export regulations and trade restrictions.

Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain awareness of relevant customs legislation, regulatory developments, and best practices.
• Interpret regulatory changes and assess potential business impacts.
• Provide guidance and challenge to operational teams regarding customs compliance obligations.
• Support regulatory inspections, audits, and external reviews.

Governance and Reporting

• Produce management information, compliance reports, and risk dashboards.
• Escalate material customs risks, compliance breaches, and control deficiencies.
• Support governance forums and risk committees through reporting and analysis.
• Track remediation actions and monitor progress against agreed plans.

Policy and Framework Development

• Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of customs policies, standards, and procedures.
• Ensure policies remain aligned to regulatory requirements and organisational risk appetite.
• Contribute to control framework enhancements and continuous improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build effective relationships with business units and key stakeholders.
• Provide subject matter expertise on customs compliance matters.
• Deliver training and awareness activities to strengthen customs compliance culture.
• Collaborate with internal audit, legal, finance, procurement, supply chain, and external advisers.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE OF THE CUSTOMS & DUTY FRAMEWORK SPECIALIST

• Strong knowledge of customs regulations, import/export requirements, and international trade compliance.
• Experience working within a compliance, risk, assurance, customs, or trade compliance function.
• Understanding of the Three Lines of Defence model and risk management principles.
• Experience conducting compliance monitoring, control testing, or assurance reviews.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and provide effective challenge.
• Experience preparing management reporting and presenting findings.

Role: Customs & Duty Framework Specialist REF 105833

Contract Length: 12 months

Location: Reading

IR35: Inside

Pay Rate to Intermediary: Market Rate

Security Clearance: SC requested

Spinwell is recruiting for a Customs & Duty Framework Specialist for an excellent opportunity within the public sector.

We welcome all applications regardless of background, in line with our commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.

Applying to this or any other vacancy advertised by Spinwell Ltd constitutes an agreement for Spinwell Ltd to hold your details for 24 months for the purpose of assessing suitability for the advertised position and to make you aware of any other positions deemed suitable of which You will make you aware by means of either email, text or phone. In line with GDPR regulations you are able to request your details be removed from the company data at any time by emailing us

Disability Confident

As a member of the disability confident scheme, the client guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

Armed Forces Covenant

The client is proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant and as such, we guarantee to interview all veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

We will be in touch to discuss your suitability and arrange your Guaranteed Interview.

Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a more accessible way for us to communicate, please do let us know.