View Vacancy - Trade and Investment Officer-Defence and Security

The British Embassy in Abu Dhabi has a vacancy for a Trade and Investment Officer- Defence and Security, Grade A2 (L).

The Role:

Based in Abu Dhabi, the successful candidate will work closely with senior managers to help ensure that the DIT team provide first class support to UK companies.  They will also provide support to the First Secretary for Defence and Security.

The successful candidate’s role will be to support the delivery of a high value campaign to maximise export wins for UK companies. 

This position will have a key role in enabling greater trade between the UK and the UAE which is a high-growth market for DIT.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Managing a small number of key stakeholders; building close working relationships and arranging regular meetings to share information about business opportunities and upcoming events.
• Monthly checks of team stakeholder management and arranging appointments as necessary.
• Organising receptions and other events as required by customers to launch their products or offices in the UAE. This is a chargeable service and involves logistical arrangements and organising guest lists and locations, catering etc.
• Organising events listed on the high value campaign as part of the UK’s export strategy.
• Arranging the marketing aspects of high value campaign events i.e. correct branding on invitations, arranging branding for the event, preparing tweets to send from the event, taking photos at the event and preparing a short write up of the event objectives to publicise it.
• Making arrangements for official visitors. These can range from ministers, members of the Royal Family and senior officials. Arrangements usually involve a programme of appointments, social events and transport and can involve a significant amount of preparation (up to 6 weeks before the visit). Work on such visits usually requires working with local authorities and Government. Drafting related protocol notes.
• Meeting visiting UK businesspeople and briefing on the Defence and Security sector in the UAE. This will include background on the market, advice on setting up business here, and in depth sector-specific information.
• Leading on the cyber security sub-sector in the UAE. Meeting key stakeholders and UK companies to develop a pipeline of opportunities researching and using local market knowledge.
• Participation in the arrangements for visiting UK trade missions including administrative arrangements and contributions to briefing packs, attendance at briefings and highlighting areas of opportunity in the UAE to members of the mission.
• Visiting local companies in the UAE to keep abreast of business opportunities and developing contacts.

Key Competencies:

• Collaborating and Partnering- It requires working collaboratively, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions.
• Making Effective Decisions - Effectiveness in this area is about being objective; using sound judgment, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice.
• Leading and Communicating - Display enthusiasm around goals and activities – adopting a positive approach when interacting with others.
• Managing a Quality Service- Being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements. 

Essential:

• Experience of working in a trade and investment environment.
• Knowledge of the UAE business market/ Defence and Security sector.
• Excellent English language skills, written and spoken;
• Exceptional planning and organisational skills, the ability to work independently, apply initiative, problem solve and work under pressure to meet multiple and changing priorities, deadlines and objectives.
• Confident when dealing with senior government officials, visiting VIPs and high level private sector contacts.
• Excellent team player who can work on their own initiative with the ability to take a wider perspective.
• Excellent oral, written English and interpersonal skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages and ability to adapt and get to grips with other systems.