View Vacancy - SH - Senior Trade & Investment Officer, Healthcare, Life Sciences & Healthcare Team (LSHC), B3(L)

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 International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT

The Department for International Trade (DIT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DIT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender. 

Context

This is an exciting time to join Department for International Trade (DIT) as a Senior Trade & Investment Officer, Healthcare for the Life Sciences & Healthcare Team. Our aim is to promote UK trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DIT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to the success of the UK's trade goals.

DIT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes UK trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs. DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China. Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c.200 staff across six posts - Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.

Main purpose of job:

As part of DIT China’s Life Sciences and Healthcare team, you will be responsible for delivering strategic UK – China trade and investment opportunities in the healthcare sector. This is an exciting role for a proactive, dynamic and enthusiastic individual in a market that is already worth more than £1bn to the UK. 

China’s Healthcare and Life Sciences sector is rapidly evolving. Ideally, you will have work experience in China’s commercial healthcare market. In 2021-22 your role will focus on clinical services and education and training. You will be forward looking and flexible and ready to adopt your focus alongside market opportunities.    

You will develop and promote commercial healthcare collaborations between the UK and China, track industry trends and capture real-time opportunities in a trade and investment pipeline. In addition, you will identify and monitor market access and trade policy issues that impact on the healthcare sector in China. Excellent communication skills in Mandarin and English are essential for engaging with important Chinese stakeholders and providing guidance and support to DIT colleagues and British companies. 

You will be a confident and networker with a proven ability to build relationships across government and industry in both the UK and China. You will be a highly effective team player, collaborating seamlessly with members of the wider team in promoting UK healthcare systems, pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

You will support a vibrant programme of virtual and in-person visits from businesses and UK Government Ministers. Using your commercial expertise, you will develop engagement plans to leverage meetings and events to ensure they deliver meaningful commercial and trade policy outcomes.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Delivering strategic trade and investment opportunities: 45%

  • Work with team leader to develop and implement a strategy that identifies and deliver high value opportunities for UK healthcare exports to China. Contribute to team’s annual export targets.
  • Identify and deliver high value healthcare Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects from China into the UK as well as encouraging growth of Chinese firms with an existing presence in the UK.
  • Develop sector knowledge and analysis to keep the wider team updated on key policy changes in healthcare and their commercial implications.
  • Develop a programme of focused Business Plan activity and engagement for the financial year, which include meetings, webinars, events and trade missions, to support DIT export and investment objectives. Ensure that activity is project managed to the highest standards.
  • In support of commercial outcomes, build close partnership and support programme of collaborative activity with DIT’s education team and the China Network’s Science & Technology Team.

Relationship management and business development: 35%

  • Build an effective network of relationships with senior leaders in key companies and organisations in China and the UK, including intermediaries, trade associations, and government departments, understanding their strategic intentions and business needs.
  • Account management of individual UK firms to support their business in China.
  • Foster long-term, working level government-to-government contacts, and facilitate high level engagement with more complex/senior relationships as appropriate.
  • Maintain a close and flexible working relationship with wider teams, including other LSHC sector teams, trade policy teams and wider China Network teams (health policy, science and technology, political).
  • Support SRO for Healthcare education and training, as well as sector lead for clinical services.
  • Support excellent information management across LSHC sector.

High level visits and events: 15%

  • Contribute to the design and delivery of high-level visits (online/offline), missions and webinars, between the UK and China by businesses, officials and Ministers. This includes involvement in visits planning, delivery, and follow-up work, working closely with team members to ensure a “One Team” approach.

Learning and development: 5%

  • Undertake continuous learning and development, including on-the-job opportunities to strengthen expertise in the healthcare sector, the UK capability landscape, and the regional business environment. This will be through a blend of on the job learning, learning from colleagues and formal training courses.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

None, but you will have a high level of autonomy for managing your work schedule. The role will require frequent travel within the Shanghai consular district, as well as some travel across wider China and occasionally to UK/Europe.  You will manage your own travel and subsistence expenditure in accordance with guidelines and under the advice of your line manager.

  • Commercial experience, in government or private sector;
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including written and verbal presentation and communication skills;
  • Ability to work across teams and stakeholders based in multiple locations.

Language requirements:                                                         

English                                                          

Spoken: Excellent/Highly Proficient                                                                      

Written:  Excellent/Highly Proficient

Other Languages: Mandarin

Spoken: Excellent/Highly Proficient  

Written:   Excellent/Highly Proficient

  • 4-5 years relevant working experience in the healthcare sector, in either private or public sector roles, preferred;
  • Previous experience in the health sector will be advantageous.
28 July 2021
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
24 months
Asia Pacific
China
Shanghai
British Consulate General
1
CNY
Chinese: CNY 19,096 ; British: CNY 26,443
11 October 2021
10 October 2023

External Non-Chinese National Candidates

Due to local Government measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including strict entry restrictions, applicants who are non-Chinese nationals are likely to face significant obstacles when seeking residence permits, or travel into China. Please familiarise yourself with the latest restrictions and processes before applying. The British Embassy and Consulates General cannot cover the cost of transport, quarantine or accommodation for applicants who require work permits. 

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross starting salary (before all deductions) for this position is RMB 19,096/ month for Mainland China Nationals and an abated monthly salary of RMB 26,443/ month for British Nationals and spouses/ partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.

We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

There is plenty of 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 their investment and trade professionalism.

In addition, opportunities and activities include:

  • Courses and learning modules offered through the International Trade Profession and Diplomatic Academy.
  • Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc
  • Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management, 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.

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

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

This position is being advertised as a 24 months fixed-term position in Shanghai, and will be extended subject to performance and availability of funding. 

The British Consulate General is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.

Working patterns:

Employment Type: Full Time

Part time will be considered on a case by case basis

Flexible working arrangements always considered.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 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. 

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. 

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.

REMINDER: 

Applicants are required to fill out the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage so please ensure you provide information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

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.