View Vacancy - CPK - Senior Trade and Investment Officer (Aviation and Transport), B3 (L)

This is an exciting role for an enthusiastic, proactive and flexible Learning and Development professional to be our Learning and Development Manager. Working closely with colleagues as part of the Corporate Operations team, you will play a key role in supporting the DIT China region (China & Hong Kong) achieve its objectives as articulated in the Regional Trade Plan, of which the over-arching ambitions are: 

Objective 1 - Driving and inspiring UK exports to China, significantly increasing the UK market share of China's goods imports, and more than double the value of UK services exports.

Objective 2 – Consistent trade policy engagement with China to achieve incremental market access, mitigate business risk and prepare for future trade deals

Objective 3 - Broadening and deepening the UK-China investment partnership, positioning the UK as the top European destination for Chinese investment and providing strong support for UK investors.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) was established by the Prime Minister in July 2016 to integrate and elevate the Trade agenda; help secure a better deal for the UK as it negotiates a successful exit from the EU; and, establish new relationships with other countries around the globe. DIT promotes British trade across the world and ensures the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving the economic well-being and stability of the UK, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs every year. 

Context:

Led by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for China and Hong Kong we are one of nine global regions and part of an overseas network that operates in 108 countries. The largest DIT overseas network in the world, with 200 staff across six posts - the British Embassy in Beijing, plus Consulates in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the One HMG network in China and Hong Kong, offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK: China Government relations.

Detail : 

The role will cover both trade and investment, and the jobholder will be expected independently to lead on the airports, airline services, rail/metro sectors in North China (9 provinces) plus Shanghai. You will need to track aviation developments to build a robust pipeline of UK/China partnerships in the supply chain, and work closely with major Chinese rail players on both inward investment projects and UK/China partnerships in 3rd countries. 

You will be expected to lead on the delivery of specific themed sector events and visits to support commercial partnerships. You will provide research and written briefing for senior government meetings, and maintain accurate records in our IT database. 

The core focus of this role is the delivery of high value market intelligence, export wins and high quality inward investment to the UK. You will do this by undertaking the following activities: 

• Building strong relationships with key government departments, industry bodies and business clients both in China and in the UK.
• Identifying and linking new Chinese opportunities and investment interests with UK capability and strategic needs.
• Promoting UK excellence in these sectors.
• Working in collaboration with partner networks and business associates, to deliver trade policy engagement with key Chinese stakeholders to achieve greater market access, improve the business environment and support UK industry seeking to export to both China and into the 3rd markets.
• Working with teams across the Consulate/China Network to support senior Ministerial/VIP visits between the UK and China, including; contributing to the design and delivery of high-level visit programmes, as well as follow-up activity. 

Roles and responsibilities:

Deliver strategic trade and investment campaigns:

• Identify and contribute to the development of the sector strategy and manage the delivery of trade and investment sector campaigns in North China.
• Build a robust pipeline of UK/China partnerships in the supply chain and deliver against sector targets. Identify and land Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects from North China.
• Report on trends and developments in North China and UK markets and key companies in the sector, as well as in the external factors affecting the sector's operating environment, and use this information to support delivery of these campaigns.
• Organise input of information to the DIT website to raise awareness of China opportunities to stakeholders in the UK.

Effective relationship management:

• Within a framework agreed with your line manager, identify and build relationships with key companies and organisations in North China and the UK, including: intermediaries, trade associations, government departments, and individual companies in order to understand their business intentions and needs.
• Foster long-term, working level government-to-government contacts, and facilitate high-level engagement (e.g. The Ambassador, the Deputy Head of mission, Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner, Consul-Generals, and Directors) with more complex/senior relationships as appropriate. 
• Work across the wider network, including: Prosperity team, Outreach, SIN, CBBC, Trade Associations, to improve business matching and identification of new business leads. 

High impact visits and events:

• Advise on design and management of high-level visits and events that contribute to sector targets and address business environment and market access issues. Undertake follow-up activity.
• Plan and manage practical and logistical aspects of important visit programmes (by Chinese companies to the UK and UK companies to China) that contribute to sector targets.  Work with wider HMG network where appropriate. Provide timely, high-quality briefing and reports. 

Knowledge and skills development:

• Commit to continual learning of self and team, making full use of on the job opportunities to deepen sector knowledge and understanding of the UK capability and UK/ China business environment, as well as formal training for skills and personal competences most relevant to the job.

• Minimum of 2 years of full time working experience.
• A diplomatic, tactful manner when dealing with contacts and colleagues.
• Good organisational skills, positive approach to teamwork, and a pro-active attitude.
• Good administrative and IT skills (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Degree level qualification or equivalent.
• Candidates must also be available for occasional domestic/ international travel.
• Excellent in spoken and written English and Chinese