View Vacancy - Trade Policy Officer

The British Embassy in Cairo currently has a vacancy for a Trade Policy Officer; grade C4 (L) to start immediately.

Main purpose of the job:

We want an employee who can help work with us in the Trade Team in the Embassy to drive new and exciting work in the Department for International Trade (DIT) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to identify and address ways to improve trade and investment relations between the UK and Egypt and beyond. We want a self-starter, who can make a difference working across DIT and FCO networks in partnership with the Government of Egypt and key business players. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to a high profile agenda in which Ministers are closely engaged.

Egypt is addressing market access issues within the context of an IMF programme, which is aimed at helping secure macroeconomic stability, and increased competition in markets. The Government recognises that it needs to address non-tariff and broader barriers to trade and investment if it is to create a more diversified and job creating economy. 

The job holder would support the Embassy trade team to identify the market access bottlenecks and on proposing prioritised solutions. The job holder would work closely with the Embassy’s economic, trade and political teams who are already working to identify where the UK can provide technical assistance to improve the business environment.

The job holder would also support the trade team in the Embassy to ensure that there is an effective transition in trading relations as the UK leaves the EU, and look for opportunities to deepen the trade relationship for instance through a focus on exports to the rest of Africa and making better use of existing preference utilisation with Europe.

The job holder would need to have strong outward facing skills, and have an ability to develop strong networks and relationships with key stakeholders and trade bodies. The job holder will be a key member of the Embassy’s cross office Prosperity Team.

In addition, the job holder would is expected to take a sector interest, such as education, financial services or agro-processing. The job holder will work as part of a wider network of trade policy officers, supporting the four North African countries. There will be an expectation that specialist skills (e.g. specialist sector knowledge) will be used across the region.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• The jobholder will be required to support the trade team in the Embassy to identify key access issues, and to work closely with Embassy and broader networks (including the World Bank and African Development Bank) to find solutions to address them. The jobholder is likely to act as secretary to Working Groups being established with the Government covering Trade and Investment.

• As part of the trade team, the jobholder will be also required to work closely with Egyptian officials and business to make fuller use of existing preference entitlements, and to assist with the management of the transition process as the UK exits the EU.

• Again, as part of the trade team, the jobholder will be expected to maintain her/his knowledge of key economic developments in Egypt, and ensure that there is an effective transition in trading relations as the UK leaves the EU.

• The jobholder will be required to have a good understanding of Egypt’s political and commercial systems

Key Competencies:

• Seeing the Big Picture - Seeing the big picture is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs.

• 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.

• 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. It requires working effectively, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions.

• 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.

• Fluency in English and Arabic (both oral and written);

• A degree level education, in business, management, economics or international studies

• Experience of working in business.

• A good understanding of the UK and local business scenes.

• Excellent customer relationship management skills;

• Excellent IT skills, including the ability to use social media tools to support activities;

• Flexibility for occasional out of hours work and travel

• Commercial and trade policy experience, networking and stakeholder management experience