View Vacancy - BK - DIT Trade Manager (Agri-Tech), C4(L)
Main purpose of job:
This is a challenging role for an experienced individual to lead one of our most important sectors in the Department for International Trade (DIT) at the British Embassy in Bangkok. The global COVID-19 crisis means our priority work and sectors are currently under review, but we anticipate that you will lead on the Agri-Tech sector and will deliver the sector strategies; lead on senior government engagement; provide strategic input for high impact campaign/project/visit and to advance the trade, investment and market access ambitions articulated in the DIT Regional Trade Plan for APAC.
The UK has 3 of the top 5 global universities, 20% of the workforce in science, over 100 science parks, well established R&D sites and the world’s best and most complete data-sets relevant to agriculture. Agriculture in the UK employs nearly half a million people and contributes £10.7 billion Gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy, while the wider agri-food supply chain is worth £106 billion with 4.5 million employees.
As the lead officer for the Agri-Tech sector, you will be responsible for key market access issues for the UK in Thailand
- Market access for British beef, pork, lamb and poultry into Thailand;
- Amendments to current Export Health Certificates between the UK and Thailand and
- The export of other agricultural products to Thailand.
You will need to work with and develop excellent working relationships with a wide range of contacts in government, business and other organisations in the sector.
You will also develop an account management strategy to help identify and build a robust pipeline of trade opportunities in Thailand for UK businesses and carry out planned marketing activities to promote UK expertise in the sector.
Roles and responsibilities:
Stakeholder, relationship management and pipeline building
To build relationships with key Thai interlocutors, including the responsible Ministries in support of UK commercial priorities to ensure British companies are well placed to win contracts based on your in depth understanding of the proposition. To look for opportunities to deploy senior officials to unlock relationships that support UK-Thailand Agritech collaboration. To have in-depth senior government engagement and ensure UK Agritech excellence is promoted and embedded in the agenda during high-level visits in Thailand and the UK. Maintain a close working relationship within the team, as well as across sectors and with internal & external partners.
Be a knowledgeable and supportive point of contact for British companies, briefing UK business visitors and UK companies in Thailand on developments. Ensure all relationships with Thai distributors, agents and multipliers are managed with integrity.
Delivering export wins and foreign direct investment targets
To develop in-depth knowledge of the Agri-Tech sector , identifying short, medium and long term opportunities for UK companies in in Thailand. Research, draft and implement promotional and engagement strategy for these sector aligned with the UK government’s Export Strategy to ensure that British companies achieve contracts in line with the export win set by the Director.
Identify and analyse on trends and developments in the Agri-Tech sector in Thailand and UK markets, and key companies in targeted sub-sectors, as well as in the external factors affecting the sector's operating environment, and use this to deliver export wins. Identify and coordinate inputs to help with the evolution of the sector strategy. Organise input of information to help raise awareness of Thailand opportunities through specialists, Investment Organisations, Local Enterprise Partnerships etc. Sign-posting to partner organisations and other services where appropriate.
Leading on high impact campaigns, events and visits
Plan, manage and organise sector related events and activities, including HMG visitor’s programmes , inward missions by Thai government officials and multi sector outward missions (by Thai companies to the UK and UK companies to Thailand) as appropriate in line with targets working with partner organisations and other networks where appropriate. Develop propositions for high level visits from UK to Thailand and from Thailand to the UK that complement and support the delivery of the Agritech sector strategy.
Language requirements:
Fluent English (spoken and written)
Fluent Thai desirable
Essential on arrival:
- Fluent English (spoken and written)
- An in depth knowledge of the Agri-Tech sector and related opportunities in Thailand
- An excellent understanding of Thailand 4.0 including opportunities in the EEC
- Existing senior level contacts in Thai industry, government and relevant agencies.
- A demonstrable track record of matching British companies to opportunities in Thailand
- Good communicator at all levels, spoken and written
- Strong administration and organisation skills
- Flexible and reactive to new issues and priorities
- Ability to work at pace and prioritise, managing a sometimes heavy workload.
- Ability to liaise with and manage external stakeholder relationships.
- Experience in completing timely and accurate written information in English.
- IT proficiency – Using MS Office, Outlook and ability to learn FCO systems.
- Ability to travel within Thailand, Asia and UK
- Experience of living in or understanding of the United Kingdom, British people and culture
- Ability to read, write and speak Thai
The British Embassy offers a competitive remuneration package, including salary (will be abated for those not liable to tax), benefits, a leave entitlement, Health Insurance and comprehensive development programme based upon business need and individual staff requirements.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The British Embassy Bangkok encourages all staff to develop their capabilities, through both formal training (courses) and informal (job-shadowing, coaching, on-the-job training etc). The majority of our formal L&D opportunities are drawn from FCO resources. All staff are encouraged to share their skills and experience with colleagues, through informal training (‘lunch & learn’) or coaching/mentoring. All staff are eligible for 5 L&D days a year.
Working patterns:
In crisis/emergency situations, work as required to support the Embassy response (sometimes on a shift pattern working unsociable hours)
This job is suitable for flexible working patterns and regular remote working within Thailand, subject to operational needs. It is a full time role (36 hours/week). Embassy core hours are 1000-1600 Mon-Thurs and 1000-1300 Friday. Working outside these hours may be required, to meet the operational needs of the DIT Section.
The job involves travel, including to the UK, regionally and within Thailand. A willingness and ability to travel is required.
Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.
Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.
To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.
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.
British Embassy Bangkok Relocation
In 2020, the Embassy will be moving from the current premises on Wireless Road to new accommodation in the Sathorn area.
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, 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.
Embassy Vision and Values:
Our vision is that we want to build a better, safer, more prosperous world for Britons and Thais alike.
Our mission is to achieve this by championing UK values and delivering tangible benefits to individuals, businesses and society: through quality service, effective partnerships and local expertise.
The values that underpin our work are:
Courage: In our approach to our work: supporting innovation, creativity and taking calculated risks in solving problems; encouraging challenge and welcoming diverse perspectives; honesty in acknowledging and learning from mistakes.
Ambition: In the challenge we set ourselves: Striving to be excellent in the quality of service we deliver; inspiring our teams, colleagues, customers and stakeholders; passionate about our purpose.
Generosity of spirit: Kindness in our daily actions and conversations; openness to differing cultures, ideas and opinions; understanding of differing styles and honest mistakes to build a culture of support.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
