View Vacancy - CPK - Seafood Industry Senior Trade Adviser, HEO

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)
DIT

The Department for International Trade (DIT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DIT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender. 

Context

This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade (DIT) as Seafood Industry Senior Trade Adviser for DIT China and Hong Kong . Our aim is to promote UK trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DIT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to the success of the UK's trade goals.

DIT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes UK trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs. DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China. Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c.190 staff across six posts - Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.

About the role

The role is based in the Agriculture, Food and Drink team of DIT China with a cross reference to the Exports and UK Trade Directorate in the Department for International Trade (UK). One of DIT’s key responsibilities is to help UK businesses export. The Agri, Food & Drink team supports UK companies looking to export and works with a wide range of stakeholders ranging from government (i.e. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - Defra) to trade bodies and associations.

The role is to support the implementation of a new Defra-DIT project to support the UK seafood sector to boost exports to new and existing markets. As the at-post specialist based in China, you will be responsible for developing and delivering a China strategy for UK seafood exports, including managing and deploying a seafood budget, and taking advantage of opportunities to plug into existing events held by the agri, food and drink team; liaising with Chinese seafood companies and trade associations, raise awareness of UK trade and investment opportunities; identify opportunities for UK seafood to export to China; work with the UK specialist to upskill businesses to sell their produce into China and educate buyers on the unique selling points of UK seafood. The role will be line managed by the Head of Agri, food and drink trade in Shanghai, and will report into DIT and Defra UK.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

  • Act as the main point of contact for UK businesses wanting to export seafood to China.
  • Shape and oversee the delivery of a China seafood strategy including leading on the delivery of key events in market such as meet the buyer activity and exhibitions, with the support of the UK specialist.

Building relationships with industry

  • Developing strong relationships with Chinese seafood companies and buyers, identifying opportunities for trade and educating and encouraging them to purchase UK seafood.
  • Work closely with our internal teams, such as DITs Data Team, on research and identifying opportunties.

Helping UK companies to connect and harness opportunities

  •  Working with the China Market access team, providing support on seafood import regulations and logistics.
  • Develop a relationship with the 90+ UK seafood companies registered to export to China, and with the support of the UK specialist identify opportunities to expand their exports.

Upskilling post colleagues on the UK seafood offer

  • Upskilling existing DIT post to understand the offering and gain confidence in promoting seafood to buyers.
  • Build an excellent countrywide network of seafood stakeholders.
  • Maintain excellent records of stakeholder interactions using DITs CRM system.

Corporate contribution

  • Play an active role in embedding the ‘DIT Spirit’ by identifying and progressing opportunities to promote the department’s values of being Expert, Engaged, Enterprising and Inclusive.

Job holder must be:

  • Team player
  • Experienced networker
  • Motivated
  • Passionate about growing the exports of UK food and drink
  • Demonstrable client liaison skills
  • Credibility to engage with senior industry clients

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

  • There are currently no direct reports. Job holder will manage their own Travel and subsistence within Civil service guidelines.
  • Job holder will be responsible for a marketing budget of £150k. Expenditure will be agreed across both line management and DIT/DEFRA matrix management.

Language Requirements:

  • English (spoken and written): excellent/highly proficient
  • Mandarin (spoken and written): excellent/highly proficient

Essential on arrival:

  • Strong experience of working internationally and/or exporting
  • Experience of working in the food and drink sector including with the seafood industry
  • Established reputation and network in the food and drink sector
  • Ability to travel internationally and regularly around China
  • Commercial experience of the seafood sector, and existing relationships with seafood companies and trade associations
  • Strategic development of campaigns 
  • Experience in delivering capability building programmes
Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Managing a Quality Service, Communicating and Influencing
9 October 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
35
Asia Pacific
China
Beijing, Shanghai
British Embassy
1
CNY
CB Chinese: RMB 29,488 l CB Expats: 38,425
28 November 2022

We offer a competitive package which includes –

  • Gross monthly salary (before all deductions) of RMB 29,488 for Chinese Nationals paid in 13 month instalments and an abated monthly salary of 38,425 per month for British Nationals and spouses/partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria;
  • Insurance plans such as social and housing fund (Chinese Nationals), commercial insurance package including accidental, life, medical and business travel insurance
  • 22 days annual leave entitlement in pro-rata which increases by 0.5 per full calendar year worked up to maximum of 25 days.
  • We offer different types of compulsory leave in accordance to Chinese law, e.g. Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Marriage Leave, Parental leave, etc.
  • In addition to the above compulsory leave, we also offer other types of leaves with pay e.g. Study Leave, Volunteering Leave to support staff who undertakes volunteering activities, Special Paid Leave to deal with emergencies involving a close family member, and more.
  • Employee Assistance Programme which is a confidential service providing help, support and information to staff to resolve and manage situations causing concern whether at work or personal nature is available to staff 24/7.
  • There is also plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their professional skills. The Mission encourages a blended learning culture based on the 70/20/10 model which includes e-learning, mentoring, coaching, other development activities and role-specific required trainings. This offer also includes supporting staff members to take part in a 5 days of learning activities each year. 

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

There is plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and to establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their trade and investment professionalism. 

In addition, opportunities and activities include:

  • Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc
  • Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management,  interpretation, presentation skills, effective remote working and trade policy.
  • Opportunities for job shadowing across the network
  • An individual bid fund providing funding to support more tailored learning and development needs.  

Working patterns:

Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday. Flexible working patterns, including the ability to flex working hours, and remote working, are available subject to business needs. 

Other Information:

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks.

Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. 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. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.

External Non-Chinese National Candidates

Due to local Government measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including strict entry restrictions, applicants who are non-Chinese nationals are likely to face significant obstacles when seeking residence permits, or travel into China. Please familiarise yourself with the latest restrictions and processes before applying. The British Embassy and Consulates General cannot cover the cost of transport, quarantine or accommodation for applicants who require work permits. 

All applications must be received before 23:55 China Standard Time on the specified application deadline.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

Applicants are required to fill out the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage so please ensure you provide information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting shortlisted candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

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.