Desk Assistant - Sovereign, Supranational & Agency

Role Overview

This is an entry‑level opportunity to join a TP ICAP SSA (Sovereign, Supranational & Agency) desk, providing exposure to a core segment of the global fixed income markets comprising government and quasi‑government issuers. As a Desk Assistant, you will play a critical role in supporting brokers with the smooth and efficient running of the desk in a fast‑paced, high‑volume trading environment. You will gain hands‑on experience across trade support, market monitoring, and operational processes while developing a strong foundation in SSA products, including supranational bonds, agency issuance, and government‑related credit. The role is designed as a pipeline into a Trainee Broker position, with progression dependent on performance, market knowledge development, and demonstration of core broking competencies. This opportunity is best suited to early‑career individuals with a genuine interest in financial markets, particularly fixed income, and a clear motivation to build a long‑term career within TP ICAP.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide day‑to‑day operational and administrative support to brokers on the SSA desk, ensuring the efficient running of trading activity.
• Accurately capture and maintain trade details within internal systems, ensuring timely and precise data entry across SSA products.
• Monitor, validate, and reconcile trades, proactively investigating and resolving discrepancies with brokers, counterparties, and support teams.
• Maintain robust data integrity and audit‑ready records at all times in line with regulatory and internal standards.
• Update live trading screens and electronic platforms with real‑time SSA market prices, flows, and activity.
• Support brokers with the preparation and distribution of trade runs, axes, and market colour specific to SSA issuance and secondary market flows.
• Actively monitor SSA markets, including: Supranational and agency bond issuance / Government‑related credit spreads / Sovereign yield curves and macro influences.
• Stay informed on macroeconomic developments, central bank policy, and funding activity impacting SSA issuers.
• Assist brokers with price discovery, liquidity identification, and market context across SSA instruments.
• Contribute to desk reporting, process improvements, and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Build strong working relationships across front office, middle office, and external counterparties, including banks, asset managers, and official institutions.
• Uphold high standards of professionalism, accuracy, confidentiality, and conduct, aligned to TP ICAP’s regulatory environment.
• Represent TP ICAP with integrity, demonstrating alignment to the firm’s values and reputation in the market.

Experience & Competencies

Essential

• Educated to GCSE and/or A‑Level standard (or equivalent).
• Demonstrable interest in financial markets, particularly fixed income, rates, or government‑related debt markets (SSA).
• Strong attention to detail, with the ability to manage and process high volumes of data accurately.
• High level of numeracy and systems proficiency, including Excel.
• Strong work ethic with a proactive, can‑do attitude.
• Ability to perform effectively in a high‑pressure, fast‑paced trading environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• Professional, reliable, and aligned to high ethical and conduct standards.

Desired

• Basic understanding of SSA instruments, (e.g. Supranational bonds, Agency issuers or Sovereign yield curves and spread dynamics).
• Awareness of fixed income market structure, including primary issuance and secondary market trading.
• Previous experience in a financial services or professional environment (internship, placement, or entry‑level role).
• Strong commercial awareness and curiosity about global macroeconomic and credit markets.
• Ability to use initiative to solve problems and improve processes.
• Confident communication style with the ability to engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ambition to progress into a broking career within fixed income markets.
• Resilience, energy, and a results‑driven mindset.

Band & Level: Support / 3

Location: UK – 135 Bishopsgate – London