View Vacancy - JPN- Tokyo Fall Internships (September- November 2017)

Opportunity to work at the British Embassy Tokyo and Consulate-General Osaka with our September - November 2017 Internship Programme 

We are recruiting for internships at the British Embassy Tokyo from September 2017 to run for 13 weeks until end of November 2017. Interns will be based in Tokyo.

The internships are designed for those who want to learn more about how an Embassy works. This includes learning how we improve bilateral relationship further, help business and support British nationals living in Japan. It is ideal for those who wish to broaden their skills and experience in a real-world environment. The internships will provide you with a unique experience and in-depth understanding of the British Government’s work in Business, Political and Defence related activities.

To find out more about the kind of work we do across the Embassy, please see www.gov.uk/government/world/japan | www.exporttojapan.co.uk | www.great.gov.uk

Please note that each role is part time up to a maximum of 28 hours per week (hours to be agreed on appointment).

Available positions

Six positions are available in the British Embassy Tokyo.

The roles are:

1. Research Assistant – Defence and Security Trade Team, DIT (Ref/01)
2. Trade and Investment Assistant, DIT (Ref/02)
3. Research Assistant – Energy and Infrastructure Team (Ref/03)
4. Marketing Assistant – Trade & Investment Campaigns & Communications - Media, Communications & Marketing Team (MCM) (Ref/04)
5. Digital Diplomacy Assistant – Media, Communications & Marketing Section (MCM) (Ref/05)
6. Research and Project Assistant – Political Section (Ref/06)

The detailed Job descriptions for each of these roles and the language requirements are below. Please note all interns may also have the opportunity to assist other sections of the Embassy with tasks on an ad-hoc basis. There will be some flexibility to shape projects around the successful candidate’s skills and interests.

Ref/01 Research Assistant – Defence and Security Trade Team, DIT

The Defence and Security Trade Team develops or improves market access for British businesses in areas such as defence, security, cyber security and civil aerospace sectors. Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK Government Department which helps UK companies export around the world, and assists foreign companies set up their operations in the UK.

• Undertake thorough research in English and Japanese in the areas of defence, security, cyber security and civil aerospace of English and/or Japanese.
• Produce short reports on their research findings in English.
• Liaise with other parts of the Embassy and outside organisations on research work.
• Assist with Embassy events when needed.
• Proofread documents.
• Ad-hoc support to other team of the Embassy.

Requirements: Either a native English or Japanese speaker with a high-level of written and spoken abilities in the other language.  Ideally available to come in to the office 3-4 days a week and can commit to the full term of the internship.

Ref/02 Trade and Investment Assistant, DIT

The Trade and Investment Team supports British companies to export to Japan and Japanese companies to invest into the UK.  The team runs high value campaigns in targeted economic sectors like Life Sciences, Technology and Financial Services to promote the strengths of the UK.  We engage with companies through events, seminars, social media, and targeted face to face meetings.   We also support a wide range of companies, including smaller businesses, in other less high value trade sectors.  Japanese investment into the UK has been transformational with companies like Nissan, Hitachi and Softbank driving innovation and employment in the UK and support for investors has never been so important.

Role

At the start of the financial year we will be implementing our business plans for the year ahead and commencing a schedule of key events.  The role will involve:

• Supporting key events of the trade and investment team including Bio Japan, Fashion Exhibition, and Tokyo Motor Show.
• Supporting Trade and Investment leadership team to implement their business plans from HQ in London.
• Pulling together information to facilitate better account manage Japanese companies already investing in the UK – our Top 30 and potentially Top 150 investors.  This will include information about the companies and their investments in the UK and may require web based research.
• Supporting the trade team to implement its 2017-18 high value campaigns and volume activity.

Requirements: Preferably the candidate would be a native Japanese speaker with a strong knowledge of English both written and spoken (the other way around would also be perfectly manageable).  She/he would be able to work for 3/4 days a week and be able to commit to the full term of the internship.

Ref/03 Research Assistant - Energy and Infrastructure Team

The Energy and Infrastructure Team at the British Embassy brings together policy and commercial expertise from across the UK government. We work to deliver the UK’s energy and infrastructure objectives in relation to Japan – focusing on attracting investment into the UK, supporting UK companies to export into Japan and achieving specific policy goals. A stimulating and high-profile area, our priority projects include new offshore wind and nuclear build, nuclear decommissioning, smart energy, urban regeneration, and energy and climate policy. The team seeks to achieve its objectives through close collaboration with external partners in the commercial, governmental, regulatory and NGO fields, as well as through international forums such as the G7 and the IEA.

The successful candidate will work as an integral part of this busy team. Tasks may include:  

• Undertake research in English and Japanese in assigned areas (e.g. company interest in UK opportunities or mapping/scoping exercises) and produce short reports on their research findings in English;
• Produce a regular digest of energy and infrastructure news in relation to Japan;
• Accompany members of the team to calls on ministries, think tanks etc;
• Liaise with other parts of the Embassy and outside organisations on research work;
• Assist with attend Embassy events;
• Support communications work such as preparing social media content, translating articles, reporting on events and preparing presentations.

Requirements: Either a native English or Japanese speaker with a high-level of written and spoken abilities in the other language. Ideally available to come in to the office 3-4 days a week and can commit to the full term of the internship. Previous study or experience in the energy and infrastructure field is not essential, but the successful candidate will need to demonstrate a keen interest in these areas.

Ref 04 Marketing Assistant – Trade & Investment Campaigns & Communications - Media, Communications & Marketing team (MCM)

The Media, Communications & Marketing Section engages with all departments of the Embassy to provide integrated and strategic marketing through a combination of media work, innovative campaigning and digital communications. The Department for International Trade is one of the team’s biggest customers in terms of influencing Japanese companies to buy British goods and services, invest directly into the UK and encouraging UK companies to export to Japan.

In this role you will be given the opportunity to contribute significantly towards how we raise the profile of the UK in Japan through work such as:

• Supporting events, branding and PR for high level marketing campaigns and high profile visits
• Developing creative communications such as infographics, presentations and case studies
• Contribute blogs and articles for Export to Japan – have your own work published
• Support regular communications to UK exporters and Japanese investors through newsletters/surveys/campaigns
• Direct engagement with UK companies during Trade Missions and Exhibitions
• Support the delivery of webinars and live-streaming
• Administration support – customer enquiries, data entry and branded assets directory
• Opportunities to experience other Embassy departments
• Key personal development opportunities - building new skills and knowledge

Requirements: A native English speaker (or high working level of English), enthusiastic and a self-starter. Working level Japanese ability is desirable, but not essential. Ideally available to come in to the office 3-4 days a week and can commit to the full term of the internship.

Applicants should detail any relevant experience, skills and tools they have worked with that would be useful for the roles set out to the Job Description above. This should be documented in the Motivation section of the application form

Ref/05 Digital Diplomacy Assistant – Media, Communications & Marketing Section (MCM)

The Media, Communications & Marketing Section works closely with other Embassy teams to get a wider audience for the Embassy’s key messages, through a combination of media work, innovative campaigning and digital communications.

In this role you will be given the opportunity to contribute significantly towards how we interact with digital audience on all issues that the Embassy is actively promoting such as:

• Support the Embassy’s Digital Diplomacy Officer to create core digital content for HMG online platforms
• Research various topics as SNS contents in both Japanese and English and draft posts – have your own work published
• Support video productions, research and test SNS promotional tools and apps to find new ways to promote as well as providing basic technical support to running social media channels.
• Support and coordinate consumer and business facing marketing activities through production of newsletters and working with social media influencers and professional writers.
• UKTI and wider-Embassy support on press & media activities, events and visits when required
• Opportunities to experience other Embassy departments
• Key personal development opportunities - building new skills and knowledge

Requirement: Native-level or JLPT Level 1 Japanese to a high standard and fluency in spoken and written English. Good knowledge on social media marketing and Adobe software especially Adobe Premiere and wordpress desirable.  Ideally available to come in to the office 3-4 days a week and can commit to the full term of the internship.

Ref/06 Research and Project Assistant – Political Section

The Political Section of the Embassy is at the core of bilateral relations with Japan – covering a wide range of topics relevant to the UK. The section works with a variety stakeholders in the Japanese government, politics, private sector, think tanks and academia. Some examples of recent section work include developing the UK’s political and security relationship with Japan, including in the United Nations Security Council; delivering successful visits by UK Ministers to Japan; and pursuing cooperation for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, including in the areas of homeland and cyber security.

The successful candidate will work as a part of this busy team. Tasks may include:  

• Accompanying members of the Political Section to calls on politicians, ministries, think tanks etc;
• Undertaking thorough research in English and Japanese in assigned areas;
• Leading or assisting with deliver of discrete section projects
• Producing short reports on their research findings in English;
• Liaising with other parts of the Embassy and outside organisations on project and research work;
• Assisting with Embassy events when requested.
• Researching and strengthening contacts with key stakeholders

Requirement: Either a native English or Japanese speaker with a high-level of written and spoken abilities in the other language. Ideally available to come in to the office 3-4 days a week and can commit to the full term of the internship. Previous study or experience in the political or foreign policy fields is not essential, but the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate an interest in these areas.

Language Requirements

For English speaking roles: The English speaking roles will require daily work in English - by email and phone - with representatives of organisations based in the UK. Therefore, the successful applicants will need to speak English to a native level or at least TOEFL 600 pts /TOEIC 900 pts or equivalent.

For Japanese speaking roles: Where required, you should be fluent in Japanese as you will be expected to contact Japanese organisations by email and telephone.  Those roles will also require daily work both in Japanese and English. Therefore, the successful applicants will need to have English qualification at least TOEFL 600 pts /TOEIC 900 pts or equivalent.