View Vacancy - SH - Directorate Support Officer, A2 (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)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

This is an important and dynamic administrative role for an exceptional individual in the Department for International Trade (DIT), supporting our sector Directors to deliver the (DIT) Regional Trade Plan for the China and Hong Kong region, of which the primary three objectives are:

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 incremental 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.

The successful applicant will play a key role in providing administrative support for the Infrastructure, Creative and Sports lead and the wider team by providing an interface with other directorates on areas such as budget/finance and performance monitoring/management.  They will also manage the Sector Head’s diary, prioritising and preparing work, and lead on taking forward logistical arrangements for their travel and participation in events.  Very good organisational, interpersonal and communication skills and resilience are key requirements for the role.

The Directorate Support Officer (DSO) will work as part of the wider DIT team, playing a role in delivering high profile activity and visits.  As such the successful candidiate will have the opportunity to be part of a high profile, busy and ambitious team.  In addition to core work, the successful applicant will have also the opportunity to play a part in a diverse range of work such as planning and delivering Ministerial and VIP visits, running major events and enaging the business community. If you are are flexible, enthusiastic and if you will embrace the ‘DIT Spirit’ that is to be Expert, Engaging, Enterprising and Inclusive, we want to hear from you.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) was established by the Prime Minister in July 2016 to integrate and elevate the Trade agenda; help secure a better deal for the UK as it negotiates a successful exit from the EU; and,  establish new relationships with other countries around the globe. DIT promotes British trade across the world and ensures the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving the economic well-being and stability of the UK, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs every year.

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. The largest DIT overseas network in the world, with 200 staff across six posts - the British Embassy in Beijing, plus Consulates 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.


Roles and responsibilities:

(65%): Provide administrative support by being the docking point for requests from the Infrastructure, Creative and Sports team on finance, budgets and performance management.  Support the wider team in delivering practical and logistical arrangements for visits and events.  Make flight/train bookings/hotel reservations for the team and visitors.  Prepare visit programmes for official visitors, Sector Head and provide practical support.

(10%) :Pro-active management of in-box and office for the Sector Head: telephone calls, messages, redirections; draft correspondence, providing a high standard of secretarial support, including fast and accurate turnaround of documents, e-mails; filing sensitive and personal management papers; handling and escorting visitors; prioritising papers to act on; photocopying and paper distribution; arrangements for official entertainment (placement cards, invitations etc)

(10%) :Diary management for the Sector Head: supporting papers for meetings; prioritisation and rescheduling as necessary; weekly transport programme; daily programmes;

(10%) :Input data onto the DIT customer relationship database in support of the China Britain Business Council contract and on behalf of your Directorate.

(5%): Staff and Resource Management for the sector Sector Head: arranging travel claims; manage arrangements for appraisals; arrange official entertainment.

  • Excellent spoken and written English and Chinese
  • Degree level qualification or equivalent
  • Minimum 2 years of full time working experience
  • A diplomatic, tactful manner when dealing with contacts and colleagues
  • Good organisation skills, positive approach to teamwork, and a pro-active attitude
  • Good administrative and IT skills (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint)
  • Experience in PA/administrative work
  • Understanding of budget management
25 October 2018
Administrative Officer (AO)
Fixed Term
35
12 months
Asia Pacific
China
Shanghai
British Consulate General
1
CNY
10, 348 Chinese / 14, 559 British
3 December 2018

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, performance related bonus scheme, good leave entitlement and insurance plan, etc. The gross starting salary for this position before all deductions is RMB 10, 348 per month for Mainland Chinese nationals and an abated monthly salary of RMB 14, 559 per month for British Nationals and spouses/partners of 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: https://www.gov.uk/government/world/china

Staff recruited locally by the British Consulate General Shanghai are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

All applications must be received before 23:55 (CST) on 25 October 2018.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

The successful candidate should be able to start as soon as possible.

Please check the application centre regularly for any update on your application.

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.