View Vacancy - CGZ - Trade and Investment Officer for Renewable Energy, AO
Main purpose of job:
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) 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. DBT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender.
This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) as Trade and Investment Officer Renewable Energy in DBT 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. DBT 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.
DBT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DBT 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. DBT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by His Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China.
His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions and the largest DBT overseas network in the world. With c.190 staff across six posts - Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DBT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:
1. Support the design and delivery of trade and investment campaigns (40%)
- Develop a broad understanding of the team strategy in renewable energy, across UK exports to China, and Chinese capital and foreign direct investment to UK.
- Undertake research to support ongoing evolution of the strategy, building knowledge of trends, developments and key companies in the China and UK markets.
- Organise events and meetings to create and promote trade and investment opportunities.
- Identify and tackle market access issues, particularly in policy and standards related to floating offshore wind
- Develop an understanding of the work of other parts of the Embassy/Consulate and how this might support your team’s objectives.
- Record trade and investment information promptly on DBT’s knowledge management system.
2. Effective Account Management (35%)
- Account manage key Chinese companies including Mingyang and Power China, and a range of UK companies interested in collaborating with China, understanding and responding to their needs.
- Influence key companies to choose China or the UK over competitors, identifying opportunities and tackling challenges.
- Contribute to the team’s engagement with other key players in both China and the UK, intermediaries, trade associations and Government departments.
3. High impact visits and events (15%)
- Support the planning, management and follow up of high impact visits and events that contribute to our campaigns
- Support the development and delivery of important visit programmes (both Chinese to the UK and UK to China) working collaboratively with DBT’s delivery partners.
- Support drafting of briefing for Ministers and other high-level visits.
4. Knowledge and Skills development (5%)
- Commit to continual learning, making full use of on-the-job opportunities to deepen your sector knowledge and understanding of the UK capability and strength, and UK/China business environment etc..
- Develop soft skills and personal competences most relevant to the role.
- Share new or updated expertise with relevant colleagues.
All of the above is geared towards the delivery of the Renewables team’s targets, of securing export success for UK companies in China, and Chinese investment success in the UK.
5. Corporate Contribution (5%)
- Provide support where necessary in delivery of the wider objectives of the Corporate Operations and DBT China team, including on cross-cutting issues.
- Promote and contribute to the China Country Business Plan and network values, actively and constructively participating in Post activities.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
- No staff
- Travel and Hospitality budgets can be made available, to support business engagement
Essential on Arrival:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English and Mandarin
- Good administrative and IT skills e.g. (Word, Outlook, Excel, database management, and PowerPoint)
- Minimum 1 year of full time working experience
Desirable:
- Skill & resilience in building relationship with external stakeholders in China
- Experience in translation/interpreting, between English-Mandarin and vice-versa
- Experience of working with Chinese government agencies, or companies/industry associations in energy sector
- Knowledge of the energy sector
- UK experience/exposure – living, studying or working in the UK
We offer a competitive package which includes –
- A monthly gross salary of CNY 12,844 for Chinese nationals and an abated monthly salary of CNY 17,990 per month for British Nationals and spouses/partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria;
- 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:
No matter what stage of your career you’re at, you’ll have a positive impact and play a key role. We strongly believe in investing in our people - from day one, you’ll be assigned a dedicated buddy, have guidance from your line manager and support within the wider organisation. You’ll have the 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 themselves.
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:
Standard office hours are 7 hours a day, 35 hours a week between 09:00 and 18:00. The British Embassy has a formal flexible working policy and welcomes requests for flexible working arrangements, including non-standard working hours (however staff have to be available during opening hours to take calls from customers) or compressed hours.
Other Information:
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks.
Staff who are locally recruited by the British Consulate General 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.
Confirmation of employment will be conditional on the visa status of the applicant and agreement by the local authorities.
Working in the evenings and some weekends can be expected of the jobholder, but we do compensate employees by offering time off in lieu (TOIL).
We are an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce, and valuing difference.
Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field "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.
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. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core behaviours listed above.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
