View Vacancy - CPK - Senior Trade and Investment Officer, Financial and Professional Services, EO
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.
This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade’s (DIT) Financial and Professional Services Team as Senior Trade and Investment 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.
Detail
China’s financial and professional services industry is rapidly evolving. The jobholder would ideally have, or quickly be able to develop, a sound understanding of China’s financial markets, especially the insurance and asset management sectors, which would be beneficial but not essential. The jobholder will need to think analytically and commercially about the opportunities for the UK in these exciting industries. They should also be comfortable with proactively engaging stakeholders on technical subjects in Chinese and English, and confident in developing productive relationships.
The Embassy receives a significant number of visits from senior Ministers and business leaders. The jobholder will play a key role in developing activity and engagement plans, aiming to effectively leverage these visits, and related events, to deliver meaningful commercial and policy outcomes.
Roles and responsibilities/what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?
- Strategy development and implementation (45%): Actively contribute to the development of strategies for key financial services sectors, focusing on insurance and asset management, working closely with the teams in Shanghai and Guangzhou. The jobholder will:
- Identify and deliver high value opportunities for UK financial services exports to China. As part of this, understand market access barriers for UK companies.
- Identify and deliver high value foreign direct investment (FDI) projects from China into the UK as well as encouraging growth of Chinese firms with an existing presence in the UK.
- Develop a programme of focused activity and engagement for the financial year, encompassing meetings, seminars, events and trade missions, to support export and investment goals, ensuring that these plans are executed to the highest standards.
- Develop sector knowledge and analysis to keep the wider team updated on key policy change and its implications.
- Consider ways to collaborate with Green Finance team and other teams’ programmes.
- Contribute to the annual Regional Trade Plan and align work with the goals set out in the Plan.
- Relationship management and business development (30%)
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key Chinese and British insurance and asset management companies, other commercial organisations (e.g. trade associations), as well as key policy-making authorities.
- Use those relationships to develop a deep understanding of firms’ business/international plans and priorities, and the regulatory and policy environment that they operate in.
- Leverage that understanding into strategy development and implementation.
- Continually and proactively expand professional network by organising and participating in relevant sector-focused events.
- High-level visits and events (20%)
- Contribute to the design and delivery of high-level visits (online/offline) between the UK and China by officials, Ministers, and business leaders as well as the annual Economic and Financial Dialogue.
- This includes involvement in visits planning, delivery, and follow-up work, working closely with the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) and other partners to ensure a “One Team” approach.
- Learning and development (5%)
- Commit to continual learning and personal/professional development, 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 competencies most relevant to the job.
- There will also be opportunities to develop through becoming involved in corporate activities at the Embassy.
Language:
- English - excellent/highly proficient
- Mandarin - excellent/highly proficient
Essential on arrival:
- Broad understanding of financial services industry, particularly the Insurance and Asset Management sub-sectors;
- An interest in policy and international work, and the capacity to learn about new sectors in detail;
- Excellent communication and networking/relationship building skills;
- Good IT skills, including Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and database management
- Well-organised, motivated and diligent;
- Strong command of English and Chinese, both written and spoken
Desirable:
- Proven international experience, ideally including experience/understanding of the UK and/or Chinese financial services industry, especially insurance and/or asset management;
- Evidence of commercial and policy acumen in relation to financial services;
- Experience working with local/national Government or similar;
- Relevant professional qualifications (qualified or part-qualified)
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;
Learning and Development Opportunities:
There is plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and to establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their trade and investment professionalism.
In addition, 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:
The duration of the post is 24 months.
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.
Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field "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.
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. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core behaviours listed above.
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.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
