View Vacancy - Export Support Service International Markets Advisor, HEO, Mumbai

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)
DIT

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’

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 goals.

The Export Support Service – International Hubs are DIT’s pioneering new global initiative, designed to help drive exports from small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based in the UK into new markets.  As an ESS International Markets Advisor (IMA) in South Asia, one of the fastest growing and most dynamic regions across the globe, you will lead on two major work strands of the programme. 

First, you will be responsible for providing free consultations, advice and data on specific markets and the South Asia region in general to UK companies with high export potential, with a particular focus on the Indian market. This will be done through collating market collateral on specific markets and specific aspects of the South Asia region as well as one-to-one consultations with UK SMEs looking to export to the region, where you will provide tailored advice. The market collateral will provide market data and help UK exporters to better understand country contexts and you will need to ensure it is updated on a regular basis with the support of the relevant Sector Team in DIT. This will be an exciting opportunity to cover a cross section of sectors, markets and types of business enquiry.  Though based in the Deputy High Commission in Mumbai, you will work closely with colleagues across India and the wider region including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Whilst not being able to be expert on every sector, you will need to be adaptable, working collaboratively to provide credible and confident advice to companies.  You will require excellent judgement skill in regard to analysing external sources of information and identifying which local companies are suitable for b2b meeting proposals.

Second, you will manage engagement between UK SMEs and the local Overseas Referral Network (ORN), a pool of private sector providers offering bespoke services (e.g. translation, market research, trading environment advice, recruitment, due diligence, certification & standards, marketing/ PR, event management, exporting agreements and negotiation support) to UK Exporters.  You will match the needs of UK SMEs who consult with you with the ORN member(s) who can best support them on their exporting journey, and then make the relevant introductions.  Though ORN services are delivered outside of DIT, you will monitor customer satisfaction with the authority to add or remove companies from the ORN. You will also support the ESS Triage Manager to source and meet with suppliers.

Lastly, as a member of the South Asia ESS team, which has only recently been established, you will help to develop other aspects of the team’s work as well as its profile. This will include promoting the ESS team internally across the DIT South Asia network and to external audiences to drive uptake of the ESS by UK SMEs and showcasing the export potential in South Asia.

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

  • Increase the volume and value of UK exports by supporting UK SMEs to make informed decisions on Market Entry to South Asia markets.
  • Provide tailored advice to UK SMEs, helping them identify their route to market, their market entry needs, flagging market barriers, and advising on options for progressing their export journey.
  • Provide UK SMEs with a summary outlining challenges, growth patterns and trends across the relevant sector in response to their enquiry.
  • Provide UK SMEs with recommendations on next steps, recommending, as appropriate, specialist business service providers through the Overseas Referral Network that can help facilitate business growth in the region. You may alternatively refer the enquiry to a sector specialist colleauge in DIT.
  • Ensure regular follow up to remain a key player in the client’s export journey, tracking the service delivery so that the support given is fit for purpose and identify if further help is needed.
  • Work proactively to identify demand within the local market for exports, seeking out export opportunities and tenders, and identifying and building relationships with major local businesses and importers.
  • Regularly update and share Market Collateral so that UK SMEs have access to the best market data to inform their exporting decisions.
  • Support dialogue with clients and build collaborative relationships with business in each region, including with a view to updating and expanding the Overseas Referral Network.
  • Ensure appropriate export account management is followed and businesses are linked into the International Trade Adviser Network.
  • Maintain a thorough understanding of all the markets in the South Asia region, working closely with colleagues across South Asia and directing business to opportunities not just in the primary market.
  • Maintain effective relationships with country leads, sector leads, partners-across-government and other colleagues as well as businesses and multiplier organisations to support the delivery of your role.
  • Update centralised databases and provide reports in accordance with the delivery and reporting needs of the role. This includes uploading business interactions weekly/monthly on to Data Hub and internal systems.
  • Support the broader development of the South Asia ESS and its delivery, sharing and implementing ideas for improvements and efficiencies

Language requirements: 

Language: English, Hindi

Level of language required: Excellent written and spoken English and excellent spoken and written Hindi

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed): 

The Deputy British High Commission in India and the Department for International Trade offer excellent training opportunities to employees. A successful candidate will be supported and guided in the role and further training will be offered tailored to individual needs. The candidate will need to travel within India and possibly internationally (COVID permitting), with opportunities to travel to the UK for sector related events and training courses.

Working patterns: 

Full time. The Deputy British High Commission New Mumbai is currently working the majority of the time from home due to the pandemic. Regular working from home options may be available in line with the prevalent Post policy. 

You will occasionally be required to support activities and events outside of normal working hours and have to travel, depending on business needs.

Qualifications:

A graduate/postgraduate degree or equivalent qualification. Candidates without the required educational qualifications but with exceptional practical experience will be considered. 

Essential:

  • At least 4 years’ experience working in a customer facing and/or trade related job
  • Strong interpersonal skills, comfortable dealing with senior officials and businesspeople
  • Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
  • Working with regional and virtual teams.
  • Strong IT skills in Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint 

Desirable:

  • Experience and understanding of key sectors receiving enquiries in the region, including: construction and engineering; healthcare and pharmaceuticals; consumer and retail; tech and smart cities; transport; Food and Drink; and Financial and Professional Services.
  • Experience of working in the South Asia region, and India in particular, and a high-level understanding of key considerations and issues when doing business in the region.
  • Experience and understanding of exporting and/or working with exporters to the South Asia region.
Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
26 August 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
40
24 months
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
Mumbai
British High Commission
1
INR
INR 110,484 per month plus 12% provident fund and 6% Special Allowance
1 October 2022

For BHC candidates, the Local BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC candidates, Basic Salary will be INR 110,484 per month together with a 12% provident fund and 6% Special Allowance. 

Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.

No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided.

Please note - BHC does not deduct tax at source and employees are required to ensure that any requirements of local income-tax law are complied with in full. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.    

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance. 

Around half of our work forces are women.  We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment. 

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’

To Apply: 

Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered.

A. Complete the Online Application Form

B. Complete the Experience, Behaviour and Technical/ Professional skills based questions segment in the Online Application Form

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications by 26 August 2022 till 23:55  

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission.

Please note - Provident Fund Transfer in and out from EPFO is not possible as BHC PF is managed by a private PF trust governed by Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. The staff still has the option to transfer out and in from a privately held PF trust which are not governed by EPFO.

Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.

The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

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.