View Vacancy - Country Director (SRB21.505)

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

To lead DIT Belgrade and assume responsibility in the British Embassy Belgrade for promoting bilateral trade and encouraging FDI between the UK and Serbia. This includes management of a small budget and responsibility for business planning. The jobholder will be responsible for assisting British companies operating or looking to operate in Serbia, and with Serbian companies looking to invest in the UK, combining strategic level management with operational delivery. The jobholder will develop and maintain a network of relations with key business and institutional stakeholders in Serbia, across the Western Balkans, and DIT’s Central Europe & Western Balkans Network.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Deliver DIT’s annual Business Plan targets, and implement the DIT Europe’s Regional Trade Plan locally.
  • Strategic management including business planning and budgeting.
  • Development, maintenance and utilisation of a network of key contacts, including at senior levels, in Serbia and as needed the Western Balkans and London in order to deliver strategic objectives.
  • Regular contact and working with with British Embassy colleagues in all six posts across the Western Balkan network, especially DIT colleagues in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia.
  • Working closely with regional Trade Policy and UKEF officers.
  • Representation of DIT Belgrade to outside stakeholders, including meeting and providing advice to British companies interested in doing business in Serbia.
  • Regular interaction with political and economic teams to ensure coordination across the Embassy on areas of policy overlap, joint visits and events.
  • Providing advice to HMA, DHM and other senior stakeholders on matters requiring their attention relating to trade.
  • Representation of the British Embassy Belgrade and DIT where appropriate, attending conferences, delivering speeches and giving interviews relating to trade between the UK and Serbia.
  • The jobholder will generally be the responsible officer for matters pertaining to trade relations between the UK and Serbia.
  • The jobholder will also contribute to the overall strategic objectives of the Embassy in Belgrade.

To succeed in this exciting and challenging role, you will need the following:

  • Strong track record of delivering commercial outcomes, business development/sales experience, proven market awareness of the national and regional business environment;
  • Experience in government relations and or public sector;
  • Ability to work in a diverse and cross-cultural environment;
  • College / University level degree in a relevant area or equivalent experience;
  • At least 5 years of commercial experience;
  • A record of delivering commercial outcomes;
  • Commercial and economic awareness;
  • An innovative attitude especially towards customer service and performance management;
  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Proven ability to develop relationships with customers and stakeholders;
  • Fluency in English and Serbian, both oral and written ( minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
  • Strong IT skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office and the Internet.
  • Understanding of the role of international trade in business success;
  • Working cooperatively with others;
  • Attention to detail and effective time management;
  • Proactive attitude in project and relationship management;
  • Track record of delivering projects in virtual/regional teams.
8 December 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
39
12 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Serbia
Belgrade
British Embassy
1
EUR
2,907
1 February 2022

This is a fixed-term, full-time position of 5 working days, 39 gross hours per week. The employment contract will be for a period of 12 months , with the possibility of renewal. The salary is gross and subject to payment of all mandatory social security contributions (19.9%) and tax (10%), in line with local regulations.   

In addition to monthly salary, staff receives a meal allowance of €70 per month and transport allowance of  4,040 dinars per month (review each February) as per Terms & Conditions. 

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearance and must have pre-existing work authorization for Serbia in order to apply. 

The successful candidate will be hired as a temporary member of staff under the terms and conditions which apply to all Country Based Staff (CBS)  in employment relationship; tax and social contributions will be paid accordingly. 

All contributions are deductable at the source. If for any reason the Employee is required to work for periods longer than the conditioned hours overtime may be paid. 

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

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 advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  levels  please click on the following link  CEFR.  Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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.