View Vacancy - SH - Trade & Investment Manager, Life Sciences (LSHC), C4(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. 

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting time to join Department for International Trade (DIT) as a Trade and Investment Manager in the Life Science and 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.

Through your focus on pharma and life sciences, you will have a lead role in advancing the strategic trade and investment ambitions in DIT’s Regional Trade Plan for the China and Hong Kong, specifically: 

Objective 1 - Driving and inspiring UK exports to China, significantly increasing the UK market share of China's goods imports, and more than double the value of UK services exports.

Objective 2 – Consistent trade policy engagement with China to achieve market access, mitigate business risk and prepare for future trade deals.

Objective 3 - Broadening and deepening the UK-China investment partnership, positioning the UK as the top European destination for Chinese investment and providing strong support for UK investors.

Led by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for China and Hong Kong we are one of nine global regions and part of an overseas network that operates in 108 countries. DIT China and Hong Kong has c.195 staff across six posts - the British Embassy in Beijing, plus Consulates General in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Wuhan. DIT, as part of the One HMG network in China and Hong Kong, offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.

The role:

This is a demanding role for an ambitious and experienced trade manager and pharma professional. Reporting to the D6 Assistant Director East China and SRO for Pharma in Shanghai, you will manage a high performing team located at different locations in China within the wider Life Science and healthcare network across China and Hong Kong.  Travel to all of our locations in China and sometimes to the UK/other countries may be required once international flights resume, but this will be dependent upon flight availability and quarantine requirements.  You will have a strong background in Life sciences and healthcare and pharmaceuticals in particular, and be able to demonstrate leadership and management experience or potential.  Your interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills will be first class.  You will be a confident  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 lead a 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.  Finally, you will devise and implement a market access strategy to support UK pharma companies of all sizes in China, working with stakeholders such as the Trade Policy Unit.

Chinese Pharmaceuticals sector

China’s pharma market is second only to the United States in world rankings at $130 billion in 2018, expected to continue to develop rapidly and is increasingly focused on innovation.  After major regulatory reforms, China is now one of the fastest places in the world to register novel drugs.  The UK has one of the strongest pharmaceutical sectors in the world made up of a small number of global firms and many more small and medium enterprises who have world class innovation, but who sometimes lack the resources to tackle a huge market like China.  Both segments of UK industry have therefore the potential to take advantage of these opportunities, but they need tailored government support to meet the challenges that remain including transparency of decision making around regulation and reimbursement, Intellectual Property (IP) protection, and in the application of Volume Based Procurement (VBP) purchasing models, which threaten to stifle the ability for UK pharma companies to bring innovation to the Chinese market.  This is done through supporting UK SME’s license innovative assets with Chinese partners, supporting high value investment including capital investment, and proving regulatory diplomacy to ensure a smooth path to approvals for UK products.

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

Effective Team Management: 30%

  • As Head of the DIT China pharma sector team, provide leadership and guidance to colleagues across the China network engaged in pharma exports and investment, providing them with direction, helping to upskill them, and ensuring a consistent high standard of delivery and service in developing a strategic relationship management approach with local government and key institutions.
  • Work with the team to find the areas where commercial, investment or regulatory intervention could improve the sustainability of trade and investment in pharma. In designing a sector specific delivery plan with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) including Export ambitions, FDIs and Capital Investment, you will demonstrate an analytical view of the areas where you believe the UK has something to offer, ensuring alignment with other HMG work streams where relevant.
  • Both personally and through the pharma team, 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 and being able to provide tailored HMG support to UK pharma of all sizes;
  • Foster long-term, working level government-to-government contacts, and facilitate high level engagement (e.g. HMTC, DHMTC, Consul-General, Health Counsellor) with more complex/senior relationships as appropriate;
  • Maintain a close working relationship with sector team members in other posts, other teams, and partners such as UKRI, S&T, FCDO Health Policy and Partnerships, IPO, and exploiting synergies in fast moving areas such as ageing, digital health, precision medicine, genomics and clinical service pathways to support UK industry across the sector.

Delivering strategic trade and investment opportunities: 35%

  • Support the delivery of export success through existing opportunities and projects, and management of UK pharma Trade Missions to China. Match UK innovation/assets with Chinese commercial opportunities including attracting investment and/or licensing deals.
  • Work with the China FDI lead to identify and land Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects from China Life Science companies to the UK, as well as support capital investment opportunities in the sector.
  • Through the team, build, maintain and regularly report to senior management and other stakeholders, a pipeline of pharma export and investment opportunities in support of LSHSC annual metrics:
    • Export ambition: £325m (Healthcare: £125m; Life Sciences £200m)
    • FDI:4 FDIs
    • Capital Investment.

High impact visits and events: 15%

  • Develop propositions for high level pharma visits from UK to China and from China to the UK that complement and support the delivery of the pharma sub-sector sector strategy;
  • Plan and manage the pharma team’s delivery and follow up of important visit programmes, engaging with key contacts in government and businesses, and other networks as appropriate. Provide timely, high-quality briefing and reports.

Market access: 15%

  • With the pharma team, follow policy changes in NMPA, National Health Bureau and other stakeholders, including the NRDL, and inform colleagues the meaning of these changes through the China pharma group to officials and stakeholders less familiar with the sector and possibly to UK and international companies. Provide timely, high-quality briefing and reports.
  • With the team and Pharma SRO, Health Councillor, IPO and other stakeholders such as the Trade Policy Unit (TPU) and Healthcare UK Colleagues, devise and implement a pharma market access strategy to support the business environment for both large and SME pharma operating in China, including registration/reimbursement, and impact from Volume Based Procurement, IP and other environmental issues.

Knowledge & Skills Development: 5%

  • Undertake continuous learning and development, including on-the-job opportunities to deepen knowledge and understanding of the Life Science sector, the UK capability landscape, and the regional business environment, learning from others across government and the wider teams, as well as formal training courses.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

2 staff based in other locations in China. The role will require some travel around across China, occasionally to UK once flights resume, and you will manage your and your team’s marketing budget and travel and subsistence expenditure in accordance with guidelines.

  • Experience in pharmaceuticals, in government or private sector.
  • Management and leadership experience or desire to learn and apply management techniques.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including written and verbal presentation and communication skills.
  • Ability to work across teams and stakeholders based across multiple locations.

Language requirements:                                                         

English                                                          

Spoken: Excellent/Highly Proficient                                                                      

Written:  Excellent/Highly Proficient

Other Languages: Mandarin

Spoken:  Native 

Written:   Native

  • Masters degree or above in Pharma/Life Sciences or related field.
1 August 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
24 months
Asia Pacific
China
Beijing
British Consulate General
1
CNY
British: CNY 38,425
27 September 2021
26 September 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 29,488/ month for Mainland China Nationals and an abated monthly salary of RMB 38,425/ 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

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.