View Vacancy - Senior Trade Officer Defence and Security

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK government department charged with promoting and financing international trade and development, and championing free trade. In Canada, DIT operates within the British High Commission in Ottawa, and Consulates in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary, with a team of around 30 staff who work primarily through a number of sector specific export and inward investment promotion campaigns.


 


This is a brilliant opportunity to lead one of the most important export campaigns for the British Government in Canada. Your success in this position will primarily be measured on the value of contracts you and your team assist British companies to achieve. Through your team, you will be responsible for managing an existing pipeline of commercial opportunities and researching and validating new prospects. This position will involve contact with ministers, high ranking military and law enforcement personnel and senior executives. To successfully lead your campaign, manage your team well and make a positive contribution to the diplomatic mission, you will need strong communication skills and a high level of commercial awareness.


 


Key functions:


  • To lead and develop a campaign to significantly increase UK exports of goods and services to Canada in the defence and security sectors including cyber security;
  • To maintain a detailed understanding of the Canadian defence and security sectors and identify relevant commercial opportunities and trends;
  • To build strong personal relationships with key Canadian companies, Ministries, senior military and public authorities and other customers to facilitate door opening for UK companies;
  • To gain a strong understanding of UK capability and build a network of export-ready companies and UK investors in Canada with the competitive edge needed for the Canadian market;
  • To offer and provide high quality advice to UK companies on how to access the Canadian market;
  • To produce reports on defence and security markets in line with the campaign strategy;
  • To identify, plan and organise a select number of events that advance the campaign, eg. ministerial and senior official visits, key trade fairs or trade missions, working closely with colleagues in London and the High Commission/Consulates;
  • To brief the High Commissioner, Director of Trade and Investment, Defence Advisor and others where necessary on security and defence exports issues;
  • To collaborate with the leads of other export and investment campaigns based throughout Canada, the High Commission’s Defence Section in Ottawa, and UK Government Defence and Security Organisation colleagues based in London;
  • To contribute to the wider objectives of the British Government’s Canada network and support its positive working environment.
  • To carry out other duties that may reasonably be required and which are in accordance with the grading and core competencies of the job.

  • Fluent English (both written and spoken);
  • Previous work experience in an international business environment;
  • Have experience or demonstrate an understanding of large scale procurement preferably within the Defence and Security arena;
  • Have a proven track record in project and resource management
  • Previous experience of managing staff and budgets;
  • Proven ability to form professional relationships and build trust with a wide range of contacts from different backgrounds including at senior levels;
  • Excellent IT skills, including MS Outlook, Word and Excel.

  • Previous work experience in the defence or security sectors;
  • Degree/Masters or equivalent business qualification in a relevant Defence / Security / Business subject;
  • Existing network within the Canadian defence ministry / armed forces / security and policing environment;
  • Fluent French.

9 May 2018
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Canada
Ottawa
British High Commission
1
CAD
74,187
9 July 2018

The position requires pre-existing legal status to live and work in Canada and will be subject to satisfactory reference checks and successful receipt of local and overseas security clearances.

Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Canadian employment law.

The British High Commission offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

Resume and cover letter should be submitted by 09 May 2018. Internal candidates must address their resumes through the Head of Group before applying.

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.

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.