View Vacancy - CGZ - Senior Trade & Investment Officer, Life Sciences (LSHSC), B3(L)

Main purpose of job:

This is a dynamic role for a proactive, dynamic and enthusiastic individual to be our Senior Trade and Investment Officer for Life Sciences, to help to advance the trade and investment ambitions articulated in the Department for International Trade (DIT) Regional Trade Plan for the China and Hong Kong region, which 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 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.

Detail:

To win more business for the UK in China’s Life Science sector in South China, and help secure new and increased investment from China to the UK. This role is particularly suited to those with experience of the pharmaceutical or med-tech industry in China market.

Key functions of the job:

• Identify opportunities in the South China market (covering Guangdong, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi and Hainan) for UK Life Science companies to secure export success.
• Build knowledge of the pathway from scientific discovery through to patient therapies and execute plans to facilitate progress for British technologies.
• Develop a network of influential relationships with key Chinese Life Sciences companies with the potential to set-up in the UK and achieve Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) success.
• Expand ties with government, industry bodies and business clients in China and the UK, notably the Life Sciences Organisation (LSO), to develop a pipeline of trade opportunities and overseas investment interests in Life Sciences. Work with colleagues in China and the UK to match these with UK capability and strategic strengths.
• Support the delivery of the wider directorate strategic objectives, working across Healthcare and Life Sciences sectors to support high priority projects, and encourage a one-team approach to working.

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

Delivering strategic trade and investment opportunities: 50%

• Support the delivery of export success through existing opportunities and projects, and management of UK Life Science Trade Missions to South China;
• Identify and land Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects from South China Life Science companies, setting up in the UK.
• Develop a personal understanding of the key Chinese companies and organisations in South China in these sectors, including their capability, interests, and opportunities for collaboration;
• Work with sector colleagues around China and the UK to raise awareness of opportunities through relevant channels, and draw on their expertise and activities where they can help to support objectives.
• Collaborate with healthcare sector colleagues to identify synergies in cross-sector work, provide support for high priority projects and support the delivery of wider directorate objectives.

Effective Relationship Management: 20%

• Build an effective network of relationships with senior leaders in key companies and organisations in South China and the UK, including intermediaries, trade associations, and government departments, understanding their strategic intentions and business needs;
• Foster long-term, working level government-to-government contacts, and facilitate high level engagement (e.g. Consul-General, Director General DIT) with more complex/senior relationships as appropriate; 
• Maintain a close working relationship with sector team members in other posts, other teams, and partners;

   High impact visits and events: 15%

• Develop propositions for high level visits from UK to South China and from South China to the UK that complement and support the delivery of the Life Sciences sector strategy;
• Plan and manage the 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.

Policy: 10%

• Develop a clear understanding of the barriers for UK companies seeking greater market share in the Life Sciences sector.
• Market access– support programs to increase patient access to novel UK therapies through issue development and stakeholder engagement.

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):

None specifically, but you will have a high level of autonomy for managing your work schedule. The role will require some travel around South China and across China, occasionally to UK/Europe, and you will manage your own travel and subsistence expenditure in accordance with guidelines.

• Bachelor’s degree or above
• 4-5 years relevant working experience, in either private or public sector roles.
• Language requirment: Highly proficient in English and Chinese, both written and spoken