View Vacancy - Trade Promotion Advisor - DIT B3 (01/20 ABI)
Main purpose of job:
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the Trade Promotion and Negotiation organisation for the UK. We promote UK businesses overseas and attract foreign investment to our shores. We have 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries. Our aspiration is to address some of the challenges facing the UK, by helping British businesses to internationalise and grow overseas.
DIT Africa is one of the nine DIT global networks and is led by Emma Wade-Smith, HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa. The Africa Region is exciting and energising and UK firms have a strong presence here, making the UK the second largest investor on the continent. With some of the strongest growing economies in the world and booming population growth there are numerous more opportunities for UK firms; from tech start-ups in the West to infrastructure in the East. The Network’s role is to promote these opportunities and position the UK as the continent’s number one trading partner and investor.
This role will identify export and overseas direct investment opportunities in Cote d’Ivoire and promote these to UK companies; work closely with multilateral financial institutions and donors, Abidjan to identify opportunities for UK companies to secure Aid- Funded Business.
The job holder will be required to respond promptly to enquiries from UK business seeking to export their goods or services to Côte d’Ivoire or seeking to bid for tenders for aid funded business, to provide ongoing support to British companies exploring exporting or investing into Côte d’Ivoire including by organising trade missions; to provide market insight and sector-specific analysis according to their needs (on a chargeable basis); stay abreast with UK companies operating in Cote d’Ivoire to fully understand their objectives.
The jobholder will need to take a regional approach, working with colleagues in offices across Africa to maximise the trading relationship between the UK and Cote d’Ivoire in particular but also contributing to increased UK trade across the continent.
The key sectors of focus are currently, energy, infrastructure, agriculture and manufacturing. These sectors are subject to annual review.
Key Responsibilities:
Build and develop a network of key contacts across government and the private sector, in order monitor sector developments and identify opportunities for UK business interested in or already working in Cote d’Ivoire. Provide information, monitor procurement websites and contact British businesses, ensuring a good quality service is provided to our UK customers.
Engage directly with British companies with an interest in exploring export opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire, producing good quality detailed reports, market insights and sector or product-specific information and analysis.
Work closely with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other multilateral financial institutions to identify and promote Aid-Funded Business opportunities for UK firms to bid for, acting as the bridge between AfDB and DIT teams across Africa.
Meet annual DIT targets in Cote d’Ivoire for UK companies winning new business in Cote d’Ivoire, contribute to meeting regional targets to increase in the number of companies exporting across the region.
Upload export opportunities in Cote d’Ivoire onto the UK Department for International Trade’s database, and ensure that targets to identify new export opportunity are met throughout the year
Role and responsibilities:
As a member of Trade and Economic team promote the UK export and investment offer to the Ivoirian market, including UK financial institutions such as CDC Group, UK Export Finance and PIDG.
Work closely with UK Government Departments, agencies, companies and organisations to ensure understanding of their needs and aspirations and how these can be achieved in the Ivoirian market.
Build strong and effective relationships with stakeholders and clients in the UK and Côte d’Ivoire.
Take responsibility for the smooth running of British trade missions to Côte d’Ivoire, from arrival to departure and organise trade missions to the UK from Cote d’Ivoire.
Identify and present export and investment opportunities to UK companies via DIT databases and identify UK partners, both investors and commercial, for Ivoirian businesses.
Work across the network to maximise trade opportunities, increase the impact of inward missions and other visits from the UK, including programme arrangements and logistics.
Prepare trade briefings, trade statistics, and identify a pipeline of future opportunities to include in annual business planning with a view to increasing UK companies seeking opportunities in Cote d’Ivoire.
In conjunction with the Economic and Trade officer ensure timely and accurate reporting on economic and sector developments in Cote d’Ivoire relevant to trade, working with the UK Chamber of Commerce in Cote d’Ivoire to identify barriers to business.
In conjunction with Embassy colleagues ensure timely and accurate reporting on policy and sector developments in the AfDB and other multilateral financial institutions present in Cote d’Ivoire.
Liaison with AfDB, understand how the AfDB works and the bank’s policies and priorities, establish key contacts in the organisation.
Attend and organise various out of hours events, including receptions, networking sessions and business debate.
- Degree in a relevant field such as Economics, Business, Political Science
Candidates should be able to demonstrate an extensive knowledge and understanding of the private sector in Cote d’Ivoire.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English.
Excellent IT skills with ability in MS Office suite applications e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
Good interpersonal and networking skills and comfortable dealing with high level officials and contacts.
Ability to work effectively to tight deadlines.
Resourcefulness in solving problems; flexible team player.
Strong organisational skills and good attention to detail.
Ability to set and meet own priorities.
Professionalism and sound judgment with a strong work ethic.
2+ years of relevant experience.
Professional experience in energy, industry, agriculture or infrastructure sectors would be an advantage.
Good knowledge and understanding of the AfDB and other multilateral financial institutions would be an advantage.
Prior experience of working with the UK Government, a diplomatic mission or international organisation.
Good knowledge and understanding of the Ivoirian public sector, including trade promotion agencies and policies.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
Opportunities for learning and development on the job through attendance at seminars, workshops and training courses. There are opportunities to participate in regional conferences, job-shadowing and economic training courses. There are further opportunities offered through the Regional Learning and Development Team. A wide range of e-learning courses are offered by the UK civil service and both on-line and traditional training is offered by the Foreign Office’s Diplomatic Academy.
Working patterns:
The British Embassy’s working hours are:
Monday-Thursday: 0830-1630
Friday: 0830-1430
Occasional evening events which attract TOIL and scope for some travel in country
The British Embassy is a small but dynamic mission with a culture which encourages staff to be creative and take the initiative. Staff at the Embassy are expected to be team-players, willing to support colleagues in other areas of work as necessary. Good communication and team-working skills are highly desirable.
The British Embassy is a rapidly growing and dynamic mission with a culture which encourages staff to be creative and take the initiative. Staff at the Embassy are expected to be team-players, willing to support colleagues in other areas of work as necessary. We place a high value on creating a supportive and welcoming place of work where all colleagues are respected for their contribution. Good communication and team-working skills are highly desirable.
The British Embassy in Abidjan is a small diplomatic mission. Your role will be essential in providing operational support to the team and helping to ensure the efficient running of the Embassy.
- Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
- Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
- Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy in Abidjan are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Ivory Coast.
- All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
- The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
- Obtain the relevant permit
- Pay fees for the permit
- Make arrangements to relocate
- Meet the costs to relocation
- The British Embassy/High Commission does not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
- Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
- Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
- Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
- The British Embassy will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position
This opportunity is closed to applications.
