View Vacancy - Senior Trade Advisor – International Markets France (FRA24.341)

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.
Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Why you should apply:

Are you interested in a career in international trade? Would you like to make an impact in a fast-moving, high-profile international environment?

We are looking for an enterprising team lead with commercial experience to join the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team at the British Embassy in Paris.

 

Who we are:

The British Embassy in Paris is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Senior Trade Advisor to join its Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team. Our team focuses on driving UK economic growth by securing French investment, tackling market access barriers, growing UK exports, and making the UK a brand of choice in France. The DBT team in France works from the British Embassy in Paris and from offices in Bordeaux and Lyon. For more information about DBT’s objectives, see here.

 

The Role:

  • As Senior Trade Advisor for the DBT International Markets (ESS-IM team) you will support high potential British exporters access and win business in France. In this role you will lead a team of two Trade Advisors covering commercial and market entry enquiries, as well as supporting UK exporters overcome market access barriers. A core element of the role will be to deliver practical support to UK companies. This will include researching market and sector information, identifying partners who can provide in-market representation and identifying new clients.

  • You will manage enquiries from UK exporters on market potential and market representation, supporting them to overcome challenges in accessing the French. You will communicate high value opportunities to UK exporters and support the identification of potential market access barriers emerging from changes in legislation, ensuring UK companies are prepared to deal with these.

  • You will also seek to expand networks of commercial and governmental partners (e.g. customs authorities and legislators) in France as well as private sector providers of commercial services. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across DBT France, including sectoral leads, as well as wider Embassy colleagues specialising in key areas of interest such as customs and trade policy.

  •  As part of the DBT team, you will have the opportunity to work with colleagues across 30 markets in Europe, as well as with teams in London and across the UK.

  •  In this role you will manage two staff members and provide guidance and advice by seeing the bigger picture in which the team’s work fits. This role offers an excellent opportunity to build upon your leadership and management skills and expand your own network of industry contacts.

 

 

 Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

  • Working with DBT France teams to support UK companies export to the French market by providing them guidance, insight and contacts relevant to their exporting journey. Companies will typically include innovative small companies, entrepreneurs and Medium Sized Businesses.

  •  With the support of your team, identifying and monitoring key developments in the French market, including producing collaterals that can be used to inform and upskill UK exporters.

  •  Lead on the development of key relationships with commercial partners and French authorities in order to best serve UK exporters.

  •  Work closely with the International Markets Europe Hub in Prague, to ensure open communication channels and broader awareness of the French market and its opportunities to enterprising businesses exploring their potential reach across Europe.

  •  Work collaboratively with DBT France and British Embassy Paris teams to understand legislative and political developments that could impact UK exporters’ interests and support work to proactively manage those.

  •  Help to create and maintain strong and mutually beneficial relationships with DBTs export support network in the UK to identify, target and engage a pipeline of high potential clients. Contribute to efforts to communicate opportunities in the French market through leadership for an imaginative promotional programme.

  •  Line management of two Trade Advisors, including by setting objectives and strategic direction. Coach and develop the team to provide high quality and impactful support to UK exporters entering the French market.

 

 

 

 

 

Our ideal candidate will have:

  • Fluency in English and French at C1 level, both written and spoken, according to the CEFR framework, or equivalent

  • 3-5 years of Business to Business and/or business to government experience

  • Experience in the field of international trade, business and/or exports

  • Experience as a line manager. A minimum of one to two years’ Line Management or Project Management experience is required

  • A university degree in relevant field and/or proven commercial/economic experience

  • Knowledge of either the French speaking and/or UK business environment

  • Strong analytical and research skills including the ability to identify trends

  • Strong organisational skills and experience leading projects including events and trade fair participation

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work well with English and French stakeholders, commercial clients, external contacts, and a wide and diverse Embassy team

  • Drive and enthusiasm combined with the ability to deliver, working as part of a team

  • Experience working with Microsoft Office or other equivalent professional IT/work suites;

Good to have:

  • Experience within a specific business sector (i.e. consumer goods (FMCG); chain management; manufacturing etc)
Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
29 September 2024
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
35
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
France
Paris
British Embassy
1
EUR
4510 (gross)
monthly
2 December 2024

This is a full-time and permanent position of 35 hours gross per week. The position is based in the office in Paris.

All appointments are subject to professional background check satisfactory security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to provide a copy of his/her passport or national identity card for all nationalities held, an up-to-date criminal record (casier judiciaire) for recent countries of residence (which can be obtained online at https://www.cjn.justice.gouv.fr/cjn/b3/eje20 ), two written proof of address (utility invoices and/or bank statements) and two references.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in France are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local French employment law and FCDO guidance for Country Based Staff. The posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service.

Your application will only be considered if you follow the guidance below:

  • Your application must be sent in English only.
  • Your application must clearly indicate all nationalities you hold.

The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.

The successful applicant will have access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities through the DBT and FCDO platforms.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in France and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Learning and Development opportunities: The DBT France network has a strong ethos of Learning & Development, including internal L&D courses and a budget that can be used for external opportunities. In addition, there will be many opportunities to attend seminars and events on relevant issues. This is in addition to the induction programme offered to all staff.
The successful applicant will be encouraged to be actively involved in the corporate life of the British Embassy, contributing to the wider objectives of the British Government’s through the France network and supporting the British Embassy’s positive working environment.

Working Pattern: The British Embassy in Paris offers flexible working, with the possibility to work from home 2-3 days per week. The position is based in our office in Paris. 

Other information:

The France Network and DBT are a rewarding and exciting place to work, offering:


•    Much scope for personal and professional development: Excellent networks and opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching, job shadowing and secondments;
•    Strong offer for learning and development, including dedicated L&D days;
•    An equal, diverse and engaged workplace;
•    Opportunities to actively engage in corporate activities and initiatives in the France Network;
•    Work-life balance;
•    Performance related bonus.

Equal employment
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. DBT Europe and the FCDO France Network want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.


Further information
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.




Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

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.

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

Please be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  levels  please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

The British Embassy Paris, wants to create a diverse, inclusive and friendly environment in which people can perform at their best because they feel supported; are able to be themselves in the workplace; and have opportunities to develop and grow. We want all our colleagues, regardless of grade, background or experience, to share our strong sense of purpose and ambition to deliver the best possible outcomes.  

We know that diversity of background, experience and thought will help us achieve our goals. We actively encourage applications from colleagues from Minority Ethnic and underrepresented backgrounds and from groups with protected characteristics. 

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.