View Vacancy - CGZ - Economic Officer, B3(L)

Main purpose of job:

Increasing prosperity and promoting sustainable global growth is one of the UK’s 3 Foreign Policy objectives.  To achieve this, the UK is working with China to support open markets, promote sustainable global growth, and increase bilateral trade and investment. Covering China’s prosperous Pearl River Delta region as well as the surrounding five provinces, the British Consulate General Guangzhou is at the heart of this effort.

The successful candidate will take the lead on multiple areas of economic, financial and trade policy analysis. The Economic Officer is responsible for ensuring the Consulate’s government and business customers are fully briefed with strong analysis and data. Through building a wide network of contacts in academia and business and monitoring media reporting and data releases, they will be expected to develop expertise on a range of economic and financial issues facing South China. These are likely to include reforms initiatives in the region’s special economic zones and the implementation of national economic strategies such as the Belt and Road Initiative and Made in China 2025. This expertise will form a basis to produce reporting to inform UK stakeholders of emerging opportunities.

The candidate will also be a key point of contact for economic policymakers in South China. Their work will cover identifying areas in which UK officials or companies can collaborate with South China’s policymakers, and facilitating this process. This will include organising the visits of high level UK officials to the region, who are keen to expand collaboration in the Pearl River Delta given the rapid economic expansion the areas has seen.

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

The jobholder will:

• Report on economic and financial issues in South China to improve UK government understanding of the region and identify opportunities for UK businesses. This will involve researching, analysing and producing high quality written reports on economic developments, the business environment and progress on implementing reforms in South China. The jobholder will also collaborate with colleagues elsewhere in the FCO’s China Economic Network to report on nationwide issues
• Build a wide range of economic contacts. The jobholder will build a network of working level contacts in local government, academia and the private sector to assist with analysis and identify opportunities for co-operation.
• Identify policy areas where there is potential to expand collaboration between the UK and China. Work with colleagues in the Department of International Trade in the Guangzhou Consulate and fellow officials in London to put this collaboration into practice. Recent work in this area has been collaboration with Shenzhen Financial Services Office to share best practice in the regulation of the financial technology (Fintech) sector and promote commercial partnerships.
• Develop programmes and briefings for high level visitors from the UK. This will involve working with the Consul Economic to identify high value programmes and provide briefing for UK government ministers and senior officials.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

No direct management, although there may opportunities to take on management of junior colleagues if candidates are interested and capable.

• Bachelors degree in Economics or related field.
• Ability to use basic Microsoft Office programs.
• At least 2 years working experience.