View Vacancy - Senior Trade Adviser - Northern Powerhouse (39/20 JHB)

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Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade (DIT). Our aim is to promote British 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 and investment goals. The role is for a new regional specialist champion for the Northern Powerhouse region (NPH; the North West, North East and Yorkshire & Humber) with a focus on Renewable Energy and other key sectors for the region including Agri-tech, Healthcare and Financial & Professional Services. It has been created as part of the UK Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda, which includes increasing trade and investment support for the NPH.


You will lead on the promoting trade opportunities for the NPH with a focus on Renewable Energy but also covering Agri-tech, Healthcare and Financial & Professional Services and other ad hoc opportunities. You will be mobile across [Africa when the Covid-19 situation allows]. You will be responsible for helping NPH companies to win business across the region. You will work closely with the DIT NPH Trade team, relevant DIT sector teams, local trade partners, and NPH International Trade Advisor Teams to achieve this.  

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Support NPH companies looking to enter or expand in the market; helping them spot the opportunities and helping them navigate the challenges
  • Maintain strong working relationships with DIT UK Regions, DIT Sector colleagues, regional stakeholders, local colleagues and in-market business support providers
  • Build capacity and awareness at post regarding NPH trade capability and expertise 
  • Ensure NPH capability and expertise are fed into campaigns being run in local markets 
  • Set up a business network of Northerners working locally who can help to champion the region’s strengths 
  • Provide DIT colleagues and key stakeholders with in-country support including (but not limited to): contributing to briefing and reporting as required, facilitating official programmes, trade missions, webinars and events and connecting visitors with senior stakeholders in market
  • Provide an enhanced package of on the ground support for incoming trade missions by working with colleagues and in-market business support providers
  • Scope out potential for bespoke NPH missions, working with UK based teams to organise and deliver the programme
  • Increase regional traction for inward “Meet the Buyer” events hosted in the NPH and use knowledge of regional sector strengths to recruit relevant buyers to participate
  • Provide a monthly update on activity
  • Contribute to wider Embassy reporting
  • Knowledge of the Renewable Energy sector
  • Minimum 3 years’ commercial experience
  • Cultural awareness and functional knowledge of the local business environment 
  • Experience of developing relationships and building influence with multiple stakeholders at a senior level in the public and private sector
  • High-quality day-to-day data management
  • Ability to draft succinct reports and provide briefing for generalist and specialist audiences, including for ministers, often to very tight deadlines
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills
  • Team player who can work on their own initiative and across virtual teams
  • Knowledge of NPH Renewable Energy sector
  • Knowledge of NPH export landscape and overall UK offer
  • Previous experience of working with the UK Government and understanding of NPH political landscape and/or experience of working with NPH local partner
  • An understanding of international business or trade practice
7 October 2020
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Fixed Term
24 months
Africa
South Africa
Johannesburg
British High Commission
R56,385.43
1 December 2020

The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses/partners and dependants.

  • Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9% of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.
  • Annual leave entitlement of 25 days
  • Working hours per week of 36.5

You will be required to travel within South Africa and internationally, including one month’s training in the UK when Covid-19 restrictions allow. You may need to travel to the UK every two to three months for short (1 week) trips.

  • Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
  • The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
  • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Pretoria are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South Africa.
  • 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. 
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
  • Obtain the relevant permit
  • Pay fees for the permit
  • Make arrangements to relocate
  • Meet the costs to relocation 
  • The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so. 
  • Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
  • Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
  • Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of your application.
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This opportunity is closed to applications.