View Vacancy - CPK - Investment Strategy Officer, EO

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Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT

The Department for International Trade (DIT) 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. DIT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender. 

About DIT

This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade (DIT) as Senior Investment Support Officer for DIT 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. DIT 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.

DIT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT 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. DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China. Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c.190 staff across six posts - Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Strategy and in the Strategy team, you will be the principle lead for DIT China’s cross-cutting investment strategy work and stakeholder engagement. You will be responsible for increasing DIT’s capability in delivering high value investment into the UK, building event platforms for investor engagement across the country and ensuring strategic alignment with London.

You will unlock new high-quality investment opportunities for the UK by working with senior leaders from UK consular posts as well as sector teams to organise cross-cutting investor engagement events. This work will form a large component of the role and see you working alongside different teams to ensure events that deliver on KPIs. You will be the senior lead for cross-cutting investment activity generally, which will mean that reporting to the line manager, you take responsibility for activity and visits relating to Ministers and senior civil servants; helping to create events and oversee an integrated approach.

This influential role will mean working across DIT sector, teams, posts and at times across government, to deliver on an ambitious cross-cutting investment strategy. You will confidently contribute to ideas around strategy, and be able to expertly ensure that delivery takes place in a way that is consistent, practical and as light-touch as possible. You will deftly handle fast-moving requests that come from London Headquarters with an instinctive understanding of handling methods.

With a forensic level of knowledge of how investment works across DIT you will be able to help and support colleagues from teams across the network, providing platforms for knowledge sharing. You will work on KPIs are upskilling sector teams and providing key information. With your professional acumen you will ensure investment related meetings and tool sharing take place according to calendared dates and that material is well prepared prior to the meetings and in follow up.  A key function of the role will involve delivery through others by preparing email drafts and template material.  You will have a forensic level of attention to detail. In addition, you will need to be comfortable dealing with ambiguity while being able to process large volumes of information.

Roles and responsibilities/what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

  1. Deliver HMG investment strategy and top campaigns through DIT China network leadership – 40%
    • Working with the SRO for investment and across HMG to ensure delivery on milestones for DIT China’s campaigns approach to investment, including a concierge level of service for top projects;
    • In consultation with sector teams, work with Minister, Ambassadorial and HMTC’s support teams to oversee senior government engagement opportunities designed to strengthen relationships with new and existing investors;
    • With a data-driven approach, oversee DIT China investment reporting material to deliver timely and accurate investment reports to your line manager, senior leadership team and headquarters;
    • Deliver the senior quarterly investment board meeting, including the drafting of commissioning emails, presenting investment information, data reporting and follow up;
    • Design and produce collateral such as pitch decks to support the delivery of strategic commitments and effectively communicate changes to the network using internal communication channels;
    • Ensure cross-government to integrate a whole HMG offer for top projects, for example working with UKEF.
  2. Promote UK investment through senior engagement with investors, events, and intermediaries – 30%
    • Working with sector teams and across HMG to coordinate DIT China engagement with HQ led investor events. This may include events such as the Global Investment Summit, ministerial investment roundtables, and royal led investment receptions;
    • Working with your consular posts, policy team and other stakeholders, to plan and execute a string of regional cross-cutting investor engagement events in China. These will likely take the form of small investment roundtables across second tier cities;
    • Working collaboratively with other sections, departments, and partners of government to ensure all events/activities are fully collaborative and aligned with HMG policy.
  3. Central investment coordination and cross-cutting activity – 20%
    • Provide timely and accurate responses to DIT Headquarter requests, drawing on information from sector teams when relevant as well as other reporting sources;
    • Support the central relationship with Investment Services Team for the China network, providing network communication and helping teams when issues arise;
    • Maintain an engaged and co-ordinated approach to sharing investment information across internal investment groups, teams and wider stakeholders, including the devolved administrations and England regions;
    • You will work across teams such as Marcomms and London HQ to ensure colleagues are aware of, and have access to high quality bespoke investment collateral such as cheat sheets, high potential opportunities etc.
    • Within a framework agreed with post senior management and your line manager, identify and build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in China and the UK, including government departments, trade associations, intermediaries and others in order to understand their business intentions and needs to identify potential opportunities for trade and investment.
  4. Support Embassy/Consulate activities – 5%
    • Support the wider activities in the Embassy/Consulate, including corporate initiatives, event support and coordination.
  5. Knowledge and Skills development – 5%
    • Commit to continual learning, making full use of on the job opportunities to have a better understanding of the UK capability and UK/China business environment, as well as formal training for skills and personal competences most relevant to your job. This includes knowledge-sharing with colleagues across DIT and the wider Embassy/Consulate.

Language Requirements:

  • English - excellent/highly proficient
  • Mandarin - excellent/highly proficient

Essential on arrival:

  • Over 3 years’ experience working in business related fields or government
  • Ability to contribute to sound decisions and contribute to the execution of the decisions
  • Ability to effectively and independently interact with the senior government officials, senior stakeholders
  • High degree of multi-tasking and time management capability
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
  • Flexibility – the ability to take a on a wide variety of roles effectively and to short deadlines
  • Excellent in Microsoft office (particularly Word, Excel and Powerpoint). 

Desirable:

  • Experience working in a consultancy role
  • Experience working in project management
  • Experiece working in a central team for a large organisation.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing
18 May 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
35
Asia Pacific
China
Beijing, Guangzhou
British Embassy
1
CNY
Chinese Nationals: 19,096 | British Nationals: 26,443
1 July 2022

We offer a competitive package which includes –

  • Gross monthly salary (before all deductions) of CNY 19,096 for Chinese Nationals paid in 13 month instalments and an abated monthly salary of CNY 26,443 per month for British Nationals and spouses/partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria;
  • Insurance plans such as social and housing fund (Chinese Nationals), 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 (and any specific training courses to be completed):

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:

Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. Flexible working arrangements is always considered.

Other Information:

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks.

Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy 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.

External Non-Chinese National Candidates

Due to local Government measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including strict entry restrictions, applicants who are non-Chinese nationals are likely to face significant obstacles when seeking residence permits, or travel into China. Please familiarise yourself with the latest restrictions and processes before applying. The British Embassy and Consulates General cannot cover the cost of transport, quarantine or accommodation for applicants who require work permits. 

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.

All applications must be received before 23:55 on the specified 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.

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.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date. Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

We regret to advise that we will only be contacting shortlisted candidates. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

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.