View Vacancy - Trade and Investment Country Director, Jamaica

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.
Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

Main purpose of job

To strengthen the UK's absolute and relative trade and investment relationship with Jamaica in line with the Department of International Trade (DIT) strategic goal and the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Trade Plan and the One HMG Caribbean Strategy.

What will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

Aim 1. Opening Markets - The successful candidate will identify issues that inhibit access to the Jamaican market for British exporters and investors (Market Access Barriers), log these barriers on the Digital Market Access Service (DMAS) and deliver a plan to address those with the highest priority.  You will engage with the Jamaican Ministry of Industry Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade as well as brief the High Commissioner and Department for International Development (DFID) Caribbean Trade Policy lead (also based in Jamaica) to do so, as necessary, to support the implementation and deployment of the UK-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement.  You will work with the High Commissioner to engage the Jamaican Government on matters relating to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  You will develop the programme, undertake research and provide briefing in the event of high level visits e.g. HM Trade Commissioner for Latin America and the Caribbean, or DIT Ministers.

Aim 2. Trade Support - You will develop and maintain a productive network of British companies with existing interests in Jamaica (investments and exports), their local partners (e.g. buyers, distributors) and potential local partners for British firms including professional associations and the Chambers of Commerce.  You will log all interactions with British companies on CRM system DataHub and manage the most important relationships on a systematic account management basis.  You will draw on your experience and knowledge as well as sectoral expertise from DIT colleagues across Latin America and the Caribbean, taking the lead in specific sectors across the region, to provide high quality support to British companies, and proactively identify opportunities to deploy UK Export Finance.  You will identify private sector partners capable of supporting UK companies to enter the market and, working with the DIT LATAC Enquiry Hub, refer British companies you do not have the capacity to support.

Aim 3. FDI and ODI Support – You will support Jamaican companies and high net worth individuals to invest in the UK, as required, and in addition support UK firms interested in investing in Jamaica.

Aim 4. Promotion – You will work with the Regional Director, Caribbean and the High Commissioner to position the UK as an attractive commercial partner, bring new British exporters and investors to Jamaica, promoting opportunities through the Export Opportunities platform, social media and showcasing existing successful case studies with support of the DIT LATAC Marketing Hub. You will utilise the British High Commission’s (social) media reach in Jamaica to promote the UK, drawing on material produced by the DIT LATAC Marketing Hub and beyond, to update Jamaican perceptions on the creativity and innovation of British industry.  You will ‘showcase’ the UK’s unique strengths as a destination for Jamaican overseas investment and champion global free trade and UK trade values.

Aim 5.  Delivery – You will work with the Regional Director to devise and refresh (at least annually) a Country Business Plan; a document which draws on the strategic goal and aims of the Regional Trade Plan, and sets out activities and goals relevant for Jamaica.  Subsequently, you use this plan to forecast expenditure throughout the financial year and then reconcile expenditure in line with that forecast, ensuring the DIT Caribbean budget is well managed.  

As one of the senior leaders in the British High Commission in Kingston, you will also play a wider role as a member of the DIT Caribbean team, and participate in activities that benefit all colleagues.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure)

Management of an A2 Trade and Investment officer.

A travel and entertainment budget of approximately £14,000 per annum.

Essential on arrival:

  • Proven knowledge of Jamaican business environment;
  • Track record of developing and maintaining a network of contacts;
  • Jobholder must be willing and able to undertake occasional international travel.

Desirable:

  • Graduate or Post-Graduate qualification in international business, trade or economics;
  • Strong network of Jamaican business contacts;
  • Experience of supporting companies to export to or invest in Jamaica;
  • Understanding of the UK economy;
  • Experience of budget management.
12 November 2019
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
39 Gross / 35 Net
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Jamaica
Kingston
British High Commission
1
J$4,242,284.00
13 January 2020

You must already have the legal status to live and work in Jamaica.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package.  This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and an enriching learning and development opportunities.

Learning and development opportunities

HM Government and the Department for International Trade are committed to supporting each of their staff to learn, grow and develop.  All staff and their managers are expected to devise a personalised Development Plan, which identifies areas for professional development and sets out a combination of formal and informal learning.  As part of its People Plan, the Department for International Trade in Latin America and the Caribbean has a Learning and Development fund to support its staff to access formal learning.

Working patterns

Monday to Thursday: 08:00 – 16:30 (1 hour for lunch)

Friday: 08:00 – 13:00

Occasional working from home, with Line Management agreement.

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.