View Vacancy - Business development Officer(FRA18.638)
The British Embassy in Paris is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. It is also part of the UK’s France Network (including offices in Lyon, Bordeaux and Marseille and representation to international organisations in Paris (OECD and UNESCO) and Strasbourg (CoE).
The British Embassy is currently looking for an Business Development Officer to integrate the Department for International Trade (DIT) team.
The main purpose of the job is to support the campaign managers attract high value foreign direct investment to the UK. The position will be part of a small team focussed on delivering practical support to French technology companies wanting to set up operations in the UK. The job holder will also spend about 20% of their time supporting British companies to win business in France.
A major element of the role will be sourcing new investment leads through attending various events around France and reaching out to the French ecosystem. The job holder will also help to conceive, plan and deliver a programme of activities in the French market, including supporting a series of events organised by the team. Proactive outreach to contacts in the French market (clusters, associations, incubators/accelerators etc.) is an important element of the job and delivers important export and inward investment leads. There will be a focus on working collaboratively with colleagues across the Embassy in policy, science & innovation and outreach teams and with DIT HQ to maximise opportunities for the UK and to ensure a contribution to the achievement of broader Franco-British bilateral objectives.
On the trade side, the team provide bespoke information, guidance and support on the French market, in response to enquiries from UK businesses about opportunities in France.
Together with senior colleagues, the successful job holder will contribute to and manage delivery of key components of the team’s objectives.
The work will be varied and demanding and the successful candidate will need to be a flexible, committed self-starter able to juggle priorities and to work on demanding timelines. Some work travel in France or a visit to the UK may be necessary.
Roles and responsibilities:
Based on detailed knowledge of the French ecosystems, encourage French technology businesses to invest in the UK
Working closely with team leaders deliver the respective business plans, particularly delivering team targets for new French investment projects in the UK.
Provide bespoke information, guidance and support on the French market, in response to enquiries from UK SMEs about opportunities in the French market.
Building and maintaining a strong network of contacts in order to develop enduring and successful commercial partnerships between French and British interests;
Support the campaigns’ team leaders to organise targeted, outcome-orientated events in support of FDI (and exports), including internet-based webinars, B2B events, presentations and or exhibition events.
Contribute to efforts to cultivate a wide spread sector contacts in the French market in support of the business plan.
Fluency in written and spoken English and French (this will be tested during the interview).
Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to deliver results;
The ability to complete work to a high standard under pressure and the ability to manage competing demands and priorities effectively;
Ability to think strategically and spot new opportunities;
Good project management, including an eye for detail, to ensure that all aspects of service delivery have been thought through carefully.
Customer focus: a concern for quality and drive for continuous improvement in the service provided.
Excellent communication skills to work well with commercial clients, external contacts and a wide and diverse Embassy team.
Drive and enthusiasm combined with the ability to deliver, working as part of a team.
Resourcefulness and ability to act on own initiative, with an ability to find creative solutions when the unexpected occurs.
Good knowledge of UK and French capability in technology sectors.
This is a full-time andfixed-term contract of 18 months.
All appointments are subject to professional background check satisfactory security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to provide a copy of his/her passport or national identity card for all nationalities held, an up-to-date criminal record (casier judiciaire) for recent countries of residence (which can be obtained online at https://www.cjn.justice.gouv.fr/cjn/b3/eje20 ), two written proofs of address (utility invoices and/or bank statements) and two references.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in France are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local French employment law and FCO guidance for Local Staff. The posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service.
Your application will only be considered if you follow the guidance below:
- Your application must be sent in English only.
- Your application must clearly indicate all nationalities you hold.
Must currently hold the independent right to live and work in France and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Local 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.
