View Vacancy - CPK - Financial Policy Advisor, EO

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Political, Policy

Main purpose of job:

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

This is a fascinating job in an energetic, fun, cross-China team comprising of roughly half British and half Chinese staff.
 
Reporting to the Head of Banking and Financial Policy, the job holder will be required to support engagement with Chinese and UK regulatory authorities, financial sector firms, international representative bodies, and leading analysts in the field. In doing so you will have to build a strong network of contacts and good relationships with working level contacts in the Chinese government. You will use those networks to arrange meetings with the regulators, lead on developing visit programmes for senior government visitors, and support preparations for bilateral engagement and dialogue.
 
The jobholder will use these meetings, alongside their analytical and research skills to develop a strong understanding of a wide range of financial policy issues in China and communicate to a British audience what is happening, and why, and what this means for the UK’s economic, political and business interests.  As such, you will also be expected to lead on ministerial briefing, drafting regular financial policy updates, and special reports on specific topics of interest.
 
The jobholder does not just observe China’s economy and financial system but is also expected help the UK government make a positive influence, including in support of UK commercial interests. You will need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the opportunities and challenges for financial services firms in China, and how the UK can best share expertise to influence policy and support the Chinese government to develop an open, efficient, and sustainable financial system.

You will work closely with the Bank of England Representative, alongside working with the Economic Section, the UK PACT Green Finance Programme team, and also the Department for International Trade in China who manage relationships with key private sector companies.

Roles and responsibilities:

You will work closely with Capital Markets and Banking leads, the Bank of England Representative, alongside working with the Economic Section, the Green Finance branch, and also the Department for Business and Trade in China who manage relationships with key private sector companies.

1. Economic and financial analysis

  • Accurate, timely and well-written reporting (in English) on financial policy developments in China, as well as delivering verbal briefings (in English) to visiting UK officials and businesses.
  • Stakeholders for this analysis include HM Treasury; Bank of England; Financial Conduct Authority; and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

2. Policy development:

  • Support China to develop its financial services policy and regulatory framework consistent with UK interests by initiating policy research, seminars, and capacity-building events.
  • Support initiatives and develop proposals to promote liberalisation of China’s financial services market to help increase UK financial services exports to China including through bilateral engagement and dialogue.
  • Work closely with the DBT Financial & Professional Services team and Economics team on technical financial services issues and reporting.

3. Inward visits:

  • Lead on and deliver successful visits to Beijing by UK government ministers and senior officials. To do this you must be able to develop a strong network of contacts within the Chinese government and other organisations such as think tanks, universities, and international organisations in Beijing.
  • You will be expected to operate with significant autonomy.
  • For the highest-level visits (including senior UK government ministers and senior UK regulators) you will support more senior colleagues. This requires a willingness to make a significant contribution and support the wider team, especially during busy periods.

4. Network building:

  • Develop a deep network of contacts throughout the Chinese regulatory system as well as those in key institutions of influence, such as academic institutions, think tanks and industry associations.
  • Attend and report on outcomes from relevant seminars and conferences and report the outcomes to internal stakeholders. Use these networks to arrange meetings for senior embassy and visiting officials.
  • Strong written and oral English and Chinese skills are essential
  • Previous experience of communicating clearly and concisely in English is essential, including the ability to explain technical terms and processes to a non-technical audience
  • Applicants should have a very strong understanding of the economy of China and/or China’s financial sector and markets
  • Degree or equivalent qualification in economics or finance
  • Previous experience working in or with government on economic and financial issues
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture
29 September 2024
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Fixed Term
35
24 months
Asia Pacific
China
Beijing
British Embassy
1
CNY
RMB 19,955 for CB Chinese l RMB 27,633 for CB Expat
monthly
18 November 2024

Note:

For this position, we are only able to consider British Nationals, spouses/partners of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and internal Chinese staff to be located at the Embassy in Beijing. 

Benefits:

We offer a competitive package which includes –

  • A gross monthly salary of CNY 19,955 for Chinese Nationals and an abated salary of CNY 27,633 for British Nationals and spouses/partners of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.
  • Commercial insurance package including accidental, life, medical and business travel insurance
  • 22 days annual leave entitlement in pro-rata which increases by 0.5 per full calendar year worked up to maximum of 25 days. We offer different types of compulsory leave in accordance to Chinese law, e.g. Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Marriage Leave, Parental leave, etc.
  • In addition to the above compulsory leave, we also offer other types of leaves with pay e.g. Study Leave, Volunteering Leave to support staff who undertakes volunteering activities, Special Paid Leave to deal with emergencies involving a close family member, and more.
  • Employee Assistance Programme which is a confidential service providing help, support and information to staff to resolve and manage situations causing concern whether at work or personal nature is available to staff 24/7.
  • There is also plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job and establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their professional skills. The Mission encourages a blended learning culture based on the 70/20/10 model which includes e-learning, mentoring, coaching, other development activities and role-specific required trainings. This offer also includes supporting staff members to take part in a 5 days of learning activities each year.

Learning and Development Opportunities:

No matter what stage of your career you’re at, you’ll have a positive impact and play a key role. We strongly believe in investing in our people - from day one, you’ll be assigned a dedicated buddy, have guidance from your line manager and support within the wider organisation. You’ll have the opportunity to develop on and off the job, and to establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop themselves. 

In addition, opportunities and activities include:

  • Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc.
  • Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management, interpretation, presentation skills, effective remote working and trade policy. 
  • Opportunities for job shadowing across the network.
  • An individual bid fund providing funding to support more tailored learning and development needs.  

Working Patterns:

    35 hours of work per week from Monday to Friday, 08:30-17:30. There may be occasions that may require you to work outside normal hours.

    Other Information:

    Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy/Consulate General are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

    No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.

    The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.

    Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field "Application deadline."

    Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

    We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.  Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core behaviours listed above.

    All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
     
    Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

    For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.

    The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

    Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

    This opportunity is closed to applications.