View Vacancy - Trade and Investment Officer, Food and Drink/Agriculture

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.
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

As a part of the new Agriculture, Food and drink trade promotion and policy team in the US, this role will support the Department for International Trade’s mission to drive more trade between the USA and the UK. With a mature, high-spending consumer market and an open, liberal economy, world-class talent and a business-friendly regulatory environment, the UK is the world’s sixth largest exporter and the second largest services exporter.

The Trade & Investment Officer for Food and Drink will work with the new Agriculture Attaché and the Trade Policy team to identify barriers to trade and investment across the US and proactively identify opportunities for market ready UK companies to achieve new business.  You will be part of the North America Food and Agriculture team providing key account management in addition to providing strategic advice and assistance to companies. You will fully manage one trade associate, be a valued contributor to the regional team, and work closely with colleagues based around the US and the UK.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility to enable people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible. 

As a valued member of our team, we will help you to achieve your goals through continuous professional development.

Roles and Responsibilities: 

  • Work with agriculture and trade policy colleagues to identify and resolve market access barriers and position companies to take advantage of opportunities following presented by the removal of barriers.
  • Assist high-growth and innovative agri-food UK companies to develop US market entry strategies and/or grow US market share and support British companies to address concerns around US trade policy or market access barriers;
  • Provide a comprehensive account management service to key US clients Forge positive relationships with US and UK business leaders, trade associations and other key buyers/partners (importers, distributors, retailers) for UK agri-food companies.
  • Work with the Agriculture Attaché to develop and implement high impact, targeted marketing programs and events in conjunction with stakeholder partners to build our brand awareness, promote key messaging, and showcase UK competitiveness. 
  • Keep pace with market trends, incentives and centres of excellence in North America and the UK to identify policy and commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients.
  • Work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver high-impact programming, including developing and hosting round tables, seminars and trade missions, and contributing to Ministerial and other VIP visit programs. 
  • Provide input on agri-food sector for DIT North America integrated sector and business planning process, including liaising with other DIT sector and regional leads.
  • Identify opportunities in market to showcase UK food and drink, including through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s gastro-diplomacy pilot.
  • Assist with cross-team projects to advance UK economic and trade policy goals.
  • Any other duties as assigned.
  • Demonstrated professional experience in a business, economic development or agri-food & drink role
  • Thorough knowledge of the food and drink sector in the US and the UK, including major companies
  • Thorough knowledge of market trends in the US and the UK
  • Excellent stakeholder management abilities
  • Excellent interpersonal, presentation and networking skills
  • Excellent management and collaboration skills with the ability to deliver results
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Excellent organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail
  • Ability to multitask and complete work while traveling
  • Driving license.
  • Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel in the US and internationally up to 20% of your time.
  • Excellent verbal and written English
An understanding of international relations and UK Government policy preferred.  
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
25 September 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
New York
British Embassy
1
USD
$92,194
22 August 2022

This role is 40 hours a week. The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 or 3 times a week.  We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly. 

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communciating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. • A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed. The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.

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.