View Vacancy - British Embassy Tokyo - 2018 April-September Internship Programme

We are recruiting for internships at the British Embassy Tokyo from 16 April 2018 to run for up to five months. Interns will be based in Tokyo.

The internships are designed for those who want to learn more about how an Embassy works. This includes learning how we improve bilateral relationship further, help business and support British nationals living in Japan. It is ideal for those who wish to broaden their skills and experience in a real-world environment. The internships will provide you with a unique experience and in-depth understanding of the British Government’s work in Business, Political and Defence related activities. 

To find out more about the kind of work we do across the Embassy, please see www.gov.uk/government/world/japan | www.exporttojapan.co.uk | www.great.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is 11:55 on Sunday, 18 February (Japan Time).

Please note that each role is part time up to a maximum of 28 hours per week (hours to be agreed on appointment).

Available positions

Five positions are available in the British Embassy Tokyo.

The roles are: 

1.     Ref/01: Research Assistant – Defence and Security Trade Team, DIT

2.     Ref/02: Research Assistant – Energy and Infrastructure Team

3.     Ref/03: Marketing Assistant – Trade & Investment Campaigns & Communications - Media, Communications & Marketing Team (MCM)

4.     Ref/04: Digital Diplomacy Assistant – Media, Communications & Marketing Section (MCM)

5.     Ref/05: Corporate Entertainment Assistant – Ambassador’s Residence Kitchen

The detailed Job descriptions for each of these roles and the language requirements are below. Please note all interns may also have the opportunity to assist other sections of the Embassy with tasks on an ad-hoc basis. There will be some flexibility to shape projects around the successful candidate’s skills and interests.

Who are we looking for?

The successful candidates for all five positions will be enthusiastic, quick learners with the ability to work with minimum oversight and challenge the status quo. Candidates should be looking to stretch themselves in a new environment.

A proven ability to undertake research work is an advantage for all positions, along with strong oral and written communication and IT skills.  We will consider applications from those both with and without formal work experience.  The work is likely to involve a mixture of policy and administrative tasks.

Detailed Job Descriptions

Ref/01 Research Assistant – Defence and Security Trade Team, DIT

The Defence and Security Trade Team develops or improves market access for British businesses in areas such as defence, security, cyber security and civil aerospace sectors. Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK Government Department which helps UK companies export around the world, and assists foreign companies set up their operations in the UK.

• Undertake thorough research in English and Japanese in the areas of defence, security, cyber security and civil aerospace of English and/or Japanese.
• Produce short reports on their research findings in English.
• Liaise with other parts of the Embassy and outside organisations on research work.
• Assist with Embassy events when needed.
• Proofread documents.
• Ad-hoc support to other team of the Embassy.

Requirements: Either a native English or Japanese speaker with a high-level of written and spoken abilities in the other language.  Ideally available to come in to the office 3-4 days a week and can commit to the full term of the internship.

Ref/02 Research Assistant - Energy and Infrastructure Team

The Energy and Infrastructure Team at the British Embassy brings together policy and commercial expertise from across the UK government. We work to deliver the UK’s energy and infrastructure objectives in relation to Japan – focusing on attracting investment into the UK, supporting UK companies to export into Japan and achieving specific policy goals. A stimulating and high-profile area, our priority projects include new offshore wind and nuclear build, nuclear decommissioning, smart energy, urban regeneration, and energy and climate policy. The team seeks to achieve its objectives through close collaboration with external partners in the commercial, governmental, regulatory and NGO fields, as well as through international forums such as the G7 and the IEA.

The successful candidate will work as an integral part of this busy team. Tasks may include:  

• Undertake research in English and Japanese in assigned areas (e.g. company interest in UK opportunities or mapping/scoping exercises) and produce short reports on their research findings in English;
• Produce a regular digest of energy and infrastructure news in relation to Japan;
• Accompany members of the team to calls on ministries, think tanks etc;
• Liaise with other parts of the Embassy and outside organisations on research work;
• Assist with attend Embassy events;
• Support communications work such as preparing social media content, translating articles, reporting on events and preparing presentations.

Requirements: Either a native English or Japanese speaker with a high-level of written and spoken abilities in the other language. Ideally available to come in to the office 3-4 days a week and can commit to the full term of the internship. Previous study or experience in the energy and infrastructure field is not essential, but the successful candidate will need to demonstrate a keen interest in these areas.

Ref 03 Marketing Assistant – Trade & Investment Campaigns & Communications - Media, Communications & Marketing team (MCM)

The Media, Communications & Marketing Section engages with all departments of the Embassy to provide integrated and strategic marketing through a combination of media work, innovative campaigning and digital communications. The Department for International Trade is one of the team’s biggest customers in terms of influencing Japanese companies to buy British goods and services, invest directly into the UK and encouraging UK companies to export to Japan.

In this role you will be given the opportunity to contribute significantly towards how we raise the profile of the UK in Japan through work such as:

• Supporting events, branding and PR for high level marketing campaigns and high profile visits
• Developing creative communications such as infographics, presentations and case studies
• Contribute blogs and articles for Export to Japan – have your own work published
• Support regular communications to UK exporters and Japanese investors through newsletters/surveys/campaigns
• Direct engagement with UK companies during Trade Missions and Exhibitions
• Support the delivery of webinars and live-streaming
• Administration support – customer enquiries, data entry and branded assets directory
• Opportunities to experience other Embassy departments
• Key personal development opportunities - building new skills and knowledge

Requirements: A native English or Japanese speaker with a high-level of written and spoken abilities in the other language. Enthusiastic and a self-starter. Ideally available to come in to the office 3-4 days a week and can commit to the full term of the internship.

Applicants should detail any relevant experience, skills and tools they have worked with that would be useful for the roles set out to the Job Description above. This should be documented in the Motivation section of the application form.

Ref/04 Digital Diplomacy Assistant – Media, Communications & Marketing Section (MCM)

The Media, Communications & Marketing Section works closely with other Embassy teams to get a wider audience for the Embassy’s key messages, through a combination of media work, innovative campaigning and digital communications.

In this role you will be given the opportunity to contribute significantly towards how we interact with digital audience on all issues that the Embassy is actively promoting such as:

• Support the Embassy’s Digital Diplomacy Officer to create core digital content for HMG online platforms
• Research various topics as SNS contents in both Japanese and English and draft posts – have your own work published
• Support video productions, research and test SNS promotional tools and apps to find new ways to promote as well as providing basic technical support to running social media channels.
• Support and coordinate consumer and business facing marketing activities through production of newsletters and working with social media influencers and professional writers.
• UKTI and wider-Embassy support on press & media activities, events and visits when required
• Opportunities to experience other Embassy departments
• Key personal development opportunities - building new skills and knowledge

Requirement: Native-level or JLPT Level 1 Japanese to a high standard and fluency in spoken and written English. Good knowledge on social media marketing and Adobe software especially Adobe Premiere and wordpress desirable.  Ideally available to come in to the office 3-4 days a week and can commit to the full term of the internship.

Ref/05 Corporate Entertainment Assistant – Ambassador’s residence Kitchen

The Ambassador’s kitchen is the core of the residence, producing and providing foods for approximately 4000 guests a year – divided in Breakfasts, Luncheons, Receptions and Dinners. As an intern, you will get a good view on fine dining, planning, shopping, prepping and producing, in a unique environment. You will teamwork with our in-house professional chefs and service staff, and develop both British, Scottish and Japanese Foods, mainly from local produce. You will also have an opportunity to observe the events at the Ambassador’s Residence to understand the important role the Residence kitchen plays. There might be opportunities to visit farms and markets with chef. 

Requirement: Bilingual / English / Japanese. Planning to be a chef and has some knowledge on British and Japanese foods. Zest on cooking and international food culture. Ideally available to come in 3 days a week. Flexible, diverse, with a good sense of humour!

Language Requirements

For English speaking roles: The English speaking roles will require daily work in English - by email and phone - with representatives of organisations based in the UK. Therefore, the successful applicants will need to speak English to a native level or at least TOEFL 600 pts /TOEIC 900 pts or equivalent.

For Japanese speaking roles: Where required, you should be fluent in Japanese as you will be expected to contact Japanese organisations by email and telephone.  Those roles will also require daily work both in Japanese and English. Therefore, the successful applicants will need to have Japanese JLPT level 1 or equivalent.