View Vacancy - Senior Commercial Attaché

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 British Embassy in Doha is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is looking to appoint a Senior Commercial Attaché grade C4 (L). An excellent opportunity for a dynamic, energetic and highly-motivated individual to play a key and impactful role in the Embassy’s Department for International Trade (DIT) team.

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, 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

Main Purpose of the Role:

The successful candidate will lead for Technology, Infrastructure (including Smart Cities), and Cyber Security (non-Defence related) sectors, the job holder will be responsible for identifying, supporting and developing opportunities for new and extant British companies seeking to enter or expand in the Qatari market.

Additionally, they will be supporting wider DIT responsibilities including handling market research enquiries, coordinating events, and recording business interactions, providing tailored reports and proactively identifying business opportunities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Leading the Technology, Infrastructure / Smart Cities, and non-Defence Cyber Sectors for DIT Qatar to develop a deep understanding of UK and Qatari market, including key players, market opportunities, market access issues and competition.
  • Provide competent support and advice to British companies wishing to enter Qatar
  • Build strategic relationships with organisations (private and public), that increase British trade by identifying export opportunities and future economic partnerships
  • Engaging the respective sectors’ network, including briefing British and Qatari businesses, responding to enquiries, including market access, local engagement and doing business in Qatar
  • Build and manage a pipeline of high value projects
  • Organise key events and activities which support British trade work in Qatar including webinars, roadshows, trade missions and Ministerial visits. Build upon relationships with key stakeholders whilst proactively seeking out new clients and opportunities to build the sector pipeline(s)
  • Travel to the UK for trade promotion activities
  • Deliver against agreed targets, including Export Wins, OMIS (Overseas Market Introduction Service) revenue, Export Opportunities, and case studies / success stories published
  • Initiate engagement with Qatari clients to identify market trends and emerging opportunities
  • Build and maintain senior and operational relationships within the Embassy, across the wider MEAP region and with DIT/Whitehall
  • Collaborate with UK and Regional teams, including sector specialists to deliver high quality outputs and support to British businesses
  • Working independently on achieving aims of the post, while reporting directly to the Country Deputy Director
  • Promote, where relevant, the financing products offered by UK Export Finance, the British government’s Export Credit Agency, to support companies win contracts
  • Maintaining a log contact with customers on our global ‘Data Hub’ database
  • Ensuring robust forecasting of event and submitting timely budget requests

Additional DIT team duties include:

  • Providing support to wider team events, including Senior/Ministerial visits
  • Updating the DIT key contact database to be used for invites to events
  • Providing administrative support to the wider Trade and Investment team as required
  • Any additional duties as required by the Director/Deputy Director of International Trade

Key Competencies:

  • Delivering at Pace: Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. It’s about working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. 
  • Collaborating and Partnering: People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
  • Managing a Quality Service: Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements. 
  • Leading and Communicating: Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.
  • University Qualification, minimum bachelor degree or equivalent.
  • 5-10 years’ experience in business development.
  • Proven track record of cross-team collaboration.
  • A self-starter who can hit the ground running and quickly adapt to the role.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, with confidence to establish connections and build senior level business and government relationships, and ability to initiate and maintain a wide range of working relationships, both internally and externally.
  • Ability to work well under pressure, to tight deadlines, in a highly challenging and demanding environment.
  • Strong organisational skills and the ability to work quickly, reliably and proactively with attention to detail and limited supervision.
  • Demonstrated experience meeting and/or exceeding challenging targets.
  • Analytical skills acquired in an international market context with a consultative sales approach to achieving results.
  • A fast learner who can demonstrate initiative, resilience, and project management skills.
  • Excellent written and oral English is essential with an eye for detail, and a confident communicator.
  • Strong IT computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office and conducting internet searches.
  • An understanding of trade policy / Market Access Barriers
  • Knowledge of the Qatar business environment, including “doing business in Qatar”
  • Experience of organising events and customer database
  • Experience of working in a large diverse team
  • Experience in working within the GCC
  • Experience in the Smart Cities, Technology or Cyber sectors, or having some relevant knowledge would be advantageous
5 December 2020
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
24 months
Middle East & North Africa
Qatar
Doha
British Embassy
1
QAR
24,372
1 February 2021

Working Hours and Remuneration:

The British Embassy offers a competitive remuneration package, including non-negotiable salary of QR 23,572 per calendar month and transportation allowance of QR 800 per calendar month, paid in arrears. The contract will be for a full time employment, on a fixed term basis for two years, subject to a six-month probation period.

No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

Embassy working hours are 7.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on Thursday. Due to the nature of the work, the jobholder should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out-of-hours.

The British Embassy in Doha has an active Continuous Professional Development Committee, and the whole of post is committed to providing the time and resources for staff to develop professionally. There will be an opportunity to attend DIT sector focused ‘Developing Skills and Knowledge’ (DSK), usually led by the UK sector teams. Currently these are being delivered virtually due to Covid-19.

Travel to the UK and within the Gulf region (and possibly further afield) may be required for business, events, training and logistical purposes

Eligibility:

Applicants must already reside in Qatar, have a valid residence permit and therefore hold the right to live and work there, including those either under spouse sponsorship or be able to transfer an existing sponsorship to the British Embassy.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates must complete the online application form and answer the motivation for applying.

** (Your application must include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above in your online application form. Applications that are not complete will be rejected).

The closing date for applications will be 05 December 2020 by 23:55 Doha time.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.

Due to the large amount of applications the Embassy receives only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances, medical clearance and reference checks.

 

The British Embassy Doha is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Qatari employment law.

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.