View Vacancy - KL - Trade and Commercial Adviser, Prosperity Fund C4(L)
Main purpose of job:
The UK Government’s £1.2bn Prosperity Fund aims to promote economic growth in developing countries. As well as contributing to a reduction in poverty in recipient countries, we expect the reforms brought about by the programmes to create opportunities for international business including UK companies.
The Trade and Commercial Advisor will play a key role in working with Prosperity Fund programme leads across the British High Commission Malaysia and with the Department of International Trade (DIT) team, to unlock the opportunities created by the Programmes’ interventions, for increased inward trade and investment for UK companies, and other forms of secondary benefits. The role is a mix of strategic planning and stakeholder engagement, project management of secondary benefits activities (funded from Prosperity Fund Non- Official Development Assistance (non-ODA) funds) with specific focus on contributing to building a pipeline of validated commercial opportunities, and broader secondary benefits outcomes (building networks and facilitating relationships with potential public and private sector buyers, procurement departmental/agents, regulators, trade and investment promotion agencies).
The focus will be on opportunities generated by the Prosperity Fund Low Carbon Energy and Economic Reform programmes and where possible other sectors in the Malaysia Prosperity Fund Portfolio, which includes programmes on Skills Education, Future Cities, Health and Business Environment.
The successful candidate will (i) build relationships and work closely with delivery partners, the Government of Malaysia (at national and local levels), businesses and other external stakeholders to develop commercial opportunities and contribute to delivering broader secondary benefits outcomes; and (ii) lead on the detailed design, planning and delivery of a number of workshops, webinars and events to promote opportunities across the Prosperity Fund Malaysia portfolio, working with DIT, British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) and Prosperity Fund colleagues. As a C4(L), you will work with colleagues in DIT and BMCC to develop senior level relationships, for example in the procurement/purchasing departments of government, and private sector firms. You will need excellent communication and influencing skills, both in English and Bahasa Malaysia (Mandarin Chinese would be desirable, but not essential).
You will report to the Counsellor, Head of the Prosperity and Economics Team, and coordinate with DIT and Prosperity Fund Programme Managers based at the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur; the British High Commission Singapore’s Secondary Benefits Advisors network, other Posts in the ASEAN region and British government colleagues in the UK to contribute to achieving Prosperity Fund secondary benefits objectives (inc economic/commercial outcomes). You will also draw expertise from policy officers and communications officers in the High Commission.
The post will be based in the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. This is a challenging and exciting opportunity to play an influential role in a high-profile and strategic development initiative in Southeast Asia, which aims to have a positive impact on economic development and trade, as well as strengthening the relationship between the UK and Malaysia.
Roles and responsibilities:
We are looking for a pro-active self-starter and engaged individual with a passion for delivery. The individual has to have strong interpersonal skills, able to work across teams, agendas and multiple priorities (matrix-working). The job holder will have three main responsibilities which will generate commercial and broader secondary benefits: liaison with DIT and Prosperity colleagues; stakeholder engagement and outreach; and project delivery.
Lead on all non-ODA work for Malaysia (50%)
• Lead on all non-ODA work for Malaysia, working closing with Department for International Trade and Prosperity Team colleagues across all key sectors.
• Support the secondary benefits objectives of the Prosperity Fund by identifying and promoting commercial opportunities in the relevant sectors/sub-sectors related to the portfolio, primarily FinTech, Islamic Finance, Energy Efficiency, Green Finance (and where were possible, important opportunities arising in other sectors) to expand that market for UK trade and investment.
• Collaborate with Department of International Trade colleagues in Post and London to unlock opportunities for increased inward trade and investment for UK firms, and track UK response to the opportunities.
• Share lessons, results and best practice with other colleagues in the Prosperity Fund Secondary Benefits Advisors network in ASEAN.
Project delivery (30%)
• Lead on the design, planning and delivery of Prosperity Fund Non-ODA projects, promoting UK expertise and creating commercial opportunities for UK firms.
• Manage sub-contractors who will be delivering some of the PF Non-ODA projects/activities, to ensure delivery to time, quality and these are monitored for impact and value for money.
Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach (20%)
• Build and maintain relationships with Government of Malaysia interlocutors responsible for programme priority areas, in order to identify and develop commercial opportunities generated by the programmes – in collaboration with DIT, FCO policy and Programme leads.
• Conduct regular outreach to private sector and business associations across country, in order to identify and develop commercial awareness, and evaluate and publish opportunities generated by the programmes – in collaboration with Programme leads and DIT.
• Work with trade bodies in country and the UK on events to increase UK awareness of commercial opportunities and promote UK expertise in relevant sectors.
- Fluent written and spoken English and Bahasa Malaysia are essential.
- Graduate with a university degree relevant to the job and at least 3 to 5 years’ experience of working in a relevant role such as procurement, sales, business management, marketing, trade promotion or business development;
- Good and broad sector knowledge relevant to the roles, e.g. economic reform and low carbon energy;
- Excellent verbal communication and influencing skills including in giving presentations to external audiences;
- Events and project management skills and experience delivering results against deadlines/targets;
- A proven track record of successful relationship management with high-level stakeholders and international clients;
- Strong knowledge in IT applications and Microsoft (inc Power Point) and use of Infographics;
- Evidence of self-motivation, professionalism and the ability to work under minimal supervision;
- Evidence of adaptability and ability to prioritise against competing, challenging tasking;
- A flexible and creative problem-solver, able to come up with innovative solutions to complex
- Corporate Business Development, Sales or Marketing experience would be highly advantageous;
- Familiarity with the UK (e.g. economy, trade, commerce) is not required, but could be an advantage;
- Local knowledge and network with relevant stakeholders;
- Experience of dealing with government;
- Experience of working with international delivery partners and governments;
- Market research and analysis experience would be helpful but not essential;
- Competency at least in spoken Mandarin Chinese.
The British High Commission offers a competitive remuneration package, benefits, leave entitlement of 20 days per annum (calculated on pro rata basis) and a range of learning and development opportunities including courses, access to significant on line training materials and on the job learning and development opportunities.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to developing its staff, working hard to provide a comprehensive L&D offer. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the Diplomatic Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all the available opportunities.
The job-holder will be required to take some specific training courses related to their role. All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management.
In addition to formal training, collaboration with a wide range of colleagues will deliver on-the-job learning experiences, including
- Working in a diplomatic mission;
- Understanding how UK international development assistance is managed / implemented;
- Understanding effective programme management; and
- Understanding how UK commercial objectives are achieved.
This job is suitable for flexible working patterns.
- Some evening and weekend work is required on occasions. British High Commission Malaysia Standard Terms and Conditions apply and provide for time outside of working hours to be compensated through Time Off In Lieu.
- Depending on Covid19 travel, quarantine rules and SOPs, the role may involve some travel within country, and potentially regionally and to the UK. A willingness and ability to travel is required.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre- employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain a valid work permit.
“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.”
Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 local time on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.
Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.
Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
