View Vacancy - AUH/ DXB - SDI Senior Trade Specialist (HEO)

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Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
SDI (Scottish Development International)

The British Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a vacancy for a Senior Trade Specialist under Scottish Development International (SDI). This is for a fixed-term contract for three (3) years.

Scottish Development International (SDI) is Scotland’s trade and inward investment agency responsible for delivering on the Scottish Government’s ambitious international trade strategies. SDI are looking for a Senior Trade Specialist to join our UAE team to develop further our trade activities within the science and technologies sector after a successful EXPO 2020 in Dubai.

The jobholder will have a focus on the sectors of Digital Health, Space, and Climate, and will be responsible for developing strategic relationships that increase Scottish exports and provide market insights into the UAE economies. The role will also include supporting those Scottish firms in the Science and Technology sectors trying to export/ do business in UAE.

Whilst the role may be based in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the jobholder may be required to visit the Embassy in the other Emirate, subject to COVID-19 restrictions and to operational needs.

 

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Provide expert support and advice to Scottish companies wishing to enter the UAE markets within Digital Health, Space, and Climate.
  • Deliver against Scottish Government trade strategies and export targets and advance Scotland as a centre for technology innovation.
  • Leverage the relationships/ networks built during EXPO 2020 and build new strategic relationships with UAE organisations that increase Scottish trade by identifying export opportunities and economic partnerships.
  • Lead on the development of partnerships and networks with UAE stakeholders such as chambers, incubators, clusters, academia, and industry bodies.
  • Collaborate with colleagues from across the UK Government as well as UAE governmental departments and agencies.
  • Facilitate key events and activities that support Scottish trade work in the UAE, including webinars, conferences, roadshows, trade missions, Ministerial visits, virtual or otherwise.
  • Support Scottish Government activity in the region as well as Scottish Ministerial visits.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis. 

 

Key behaviours required:

  • Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Seeing the Big Picture - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.
  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Experience of working in a trade, commercial, or business development role, ideally in the Middle East region.
  • Demonstrable research and analytical skills acquired in an international market development context.
  • A strong knowledge of the UAE technology sectors and understanding of the work and focus of UK, Scotland at EXPO 2020.
  • An experienced networker with existing professional relationships in the UAE.
  • A team player with a consultative approach who can collaborate within a geography and ‘virtual team’ to achieve common objectives.
  • Exceptional planning and organisational skills, ability to work independently, apply initiative, and work under pressure to meet multiple and changing priorities, deadlines, and objectives.
  • Strong team-working ability with experience of working in a multi-partnership context.
  • Strong customer relations management and interpersonal skills. Confident and comfortable dealing with senior officials and business people.
  • Excellent communication skills in English. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
  • Strong IT skills and well versed in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams) as well as CRM systems.
  • Knowledge of Scottish science and technology ecosystems is preferable, in particular, familiarity of Scotland’s Climate, Space, and Digital Health offerings.
  • Experience of working in an international trade promotion environment.
  • Knowledge of cloud-based systems including CRM (MS Dynamics).
  • An understanding of government and the role it plays international trade.
Seeing the Big Picture, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
25 September 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
36 months
Middle East & North Africa
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, Dubai
British Embassy
1
AED
22,500
1 December 2022

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including: 25 days of leave per annum; on-site swimming pool, gym, and sports facilities (subject to COVID-19 restrictions).

Salary is at AED 22,500 per month.

There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

The Embassy is open from Monday to Friday, from 07:30 to 18:00. Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week (including breaks), and specific working hours for this role will be confirmed at a later time.

Whilst the role may be based in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the jobholder may be required to visit the Embassy in the other Emirate, subject to COVID-19 restrictions and to operational needs. The jobholder will also be expected to visit to take part in relevant meetings and events, which may also require out-of-hours work (evenings/ weekends). Flexible working arrangements may be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies.

The role will also involve regional travel in the Middle East and possibly further afield for business purposes.

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV); 2) a covering letter/ motivation essay stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and 3) examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required.

Applications that do not include this information will not be considered.

Closing date for applications is at 23:55 UAE local time on 25 September 2022. 

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.


Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted. Any assessments and/ or interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

 


The British Embassies Abu Dhabi and Dubai is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.