View Vacancy - MOR-Agriculture Attache (HEO)

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

The British Consulate General in Casablanca invites applications for the position of Agriculture Attache, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) on a fixed term contract of six (6) months.

The successful candidate will work within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and as an integral part of the British Consulate Casablanca team to support UK agri-food market access objectives in Morocco and, where capacity allows, across North and West Africa.  This role will work to support the Africa attaché based in Southern Africa who will drive strategy for the Continent.    

A key focus of the role will be delivering tangible outcomes from an existing portfolio of market access barriers and regulatory cooperation projects across the food and drink space. Working closely with Moroccan competent authorities, particularly L'Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des produits Alimentaires (ONSSA), the Ministry of Agriculture, UK industry, Defra and Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST), you will seek to bring existing market access priorities to a conclusion, securing export opportunities for UK businesses and ensuring outcomes are properly evidenced, communicated and handed over for future follow-up.  

The role will also support Defra's engagement with Moroccan Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) authority and market access requests to the UK, recognising the importance of progressing both UK and Moroccan priorities in support of the wider bilateral relationship. 

Where capacity and business priorities allow, you will support Defra's wider work across North and West Africa, helping assess commercial opportunities, provide regional market intelligence, support delivery of priority workstreams and identify opportunities for UK agri-food exports in the region. 

This role is well suited to an individual who is open to learning and can hit the ground running in an exciting area and deliver results. One who can think outside the box, has great time management skills, cooperates across teams, and has an eye for detail. An enthusiasm and knowledge of agriculture, food, and drink is a must. Specialist knowledge of SPS and trade is highly desired.  

You will report to the Head of Trade Policy and Market Access but will have day-to-day task management, support, and strategic direction from the Defra Attache based in South Africa. It will be integral that you work to support the priorities given to you from the Defra Attache and from Defra HQ in London. 

You will also work closely with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Morocco team in Casablanca, particularly the Trade Policy and Market Access Lead and the Market Access Officer. You will be expected to pitch in and play a role in the larger BIST Africa network. 

Duties and responsibilities:

  • Manage a defined portfolio of existing market access priorities, focusing on securing realistic and deliverable outcomes within the lifetime of the role. 
  • Work with Defra, BIST, UK industry and relevant authorities to remove barriers to trade and facilitate market access for UK agricultural, food and drink products. 
  • Identify opportunities to convert regulatory cooperation into measurable export outcomes and commercial opportunities for UK businesses. 
  • Record, evidence and communicate market access successes, including recording export wins, beneficiary companies and opportunities for communications products and case studies. 
  • Assess the status and commercial value of ongoing market access barriers and provide recommendations on whether workstreams should be continued, handed over, deprioritised or closed. 
  • Develop clear handover notes and recommendations to ensure continuity of work beyond the duration of the role. 
  • Coordinate and support Defra engagement on partner countries’ SPS and market access requests to the UK, ensuring timely responses and effective follow-up. 
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with Moroccan government stakeholders, particularly ONSSA and the Ministry of Agriculture. Work closely with the Attache in Southern Africa to ensure diplomatic strategy and government engagement. 
  • Prepare briefings, reporting and recommendations for Defra, BIST, FCDO and senior stakeholders where needed. 
  • Support visits, technical meetings, trade missions and stakeholder engagement activity where these contribute directly to delivery of agreed objectives. 
  • Maintain accurate records of progress, outcomes and next steps across all workstreams. 
  • Support wider Defra priorities in Morocco and, where appropriate, across North and West Africa. Feed these into BIST Africa network where appropriate. 

 The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future, and this would be at the discretion of the line manager. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

 Key behaviours required:

  • Managing a Quality Service: Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Working Together: Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • Communicating and Influencing: Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.

Eligibility:

Applicants must have the right to work and live in Morocco.

  • Knowledge and experience in agrifood and agricultural sectors.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French. 
  • Experience of trade policy and market access. 
  • Experience managing projects, programmes, policy delivery or stakeholder engagement across multiple organisations. 
  • Ability to build productive relationships and influence government, regulatory, commercial or industry stakeholders. 
  • Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results at pace. 
  • Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess evidence and provide clear recommendations. 
  • Experience preparing briefings, reports or recommendations for senior stakeholders. 
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records of progress and outcomes. 
  • Ability to work across different teams, locations, and time zones – always maintaining a friendly, approachable and cooperative team spirit. 
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. 
  • Experience working with government departments or regulators. 
  • Knowledge and experience in veterinary, animal health, or SPS issues.
  • Knowledge of the UK’s agricultural, food and regulatory landscape. 
  • Knowledge of Morocco's agricultural, food and regulatory landscape. 
  • Arabic language and Moroccan Darija
  • Knowledge of the agricultural, food and regulatory landscape in other countries in the wider region. 
  • Experience delivering commercial, policy or regulatory projects in an international environment.
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
17 September 2026
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Temporary, Fixed Term
38
6 months
Middle East & North Africa
Morocco
Casablanca
British Consulate General
1
MAD
35972
monthly
2 November 2026

Working hours and remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including a non-negotiable gross salary of MAD 35,972 per month. However, employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

The package includes a good level of medical insurance, 21 days of annual leave (calculated on pro rata basis) plus 14 public holidays, access to on-site swimming pool, tennis court and gym facilities.

There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation nor relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

The contract will be for a full-time employment, on a fixed-term contract basis of six (6) months, subject to one (1) month probation period.

Conditioned working hours for the position are 38 hours per week. Normal office hours are from Mondays to Thursdays from 08:00-16:15 and Fridays from 08:00-13:00. Flexible working arrangement may be considered based on operational requirements and agreement with the line manager, and in line with FCDO and Embassy policies. Independent working will be evaluated as a behaviour in interviews.

The Embassy and the FCDO have a strong commitment to learning and development, and all staff are required to agree on a learning and development plan with their line manager to keep track of their learning objectives and journey. The jobholder will also be required to undertake a number of mandatory training courses as part of their role.

 

 

 

 

 

How to apply:

Interested candidates must ensure that the online application form is completed in full, including:

  • Complete education details and employment history.
  • Complete experience, professional skills, and behaviour-based sections.

Please note that it is mandatory for all applicants to complete every section of the online application form, including employment history, education details, technical skills, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Applications that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered during the shortlisting process.  

Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

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

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 local time on 17 September 2026

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Internal candidates (i.e., those who are currently employed by the British Embassy Rabat/ British Consulate General Casablanca) applying for this position should consider informing their current line managers upon submission of their application.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around 2-3 months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and with UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidates’ profile and UK footprint. 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.  

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

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 FCDO operates an agile approach to delivery. To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. The British Embassy Rabat is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy is subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Morocco employment 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.