View Vacancy - Director of Trade and Investment - Iceland (ISL22.229)

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

The British Embassy in Reykjavik is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic, commercial and consular interests overseas. We are currently looking for a Director of Trade and Investment.

The Director of Trade and Investment Iceland represents the interests of the British Government in Iceland, they are the Iceland Country Director for the UK’s Department of International Trade (DIT).

This is a high-profile client-facing role, the main objectives of which are to lead the Department of International Trade operation in Iceland, promoting bilateral trade and encouraging FDI between the UK and Iceland.

The jobholder will be responsible for assisting British companies operating or looking to operate in Iceland, and Icelandic companies looking to invest in the UK, combining strategic level management with operational delivery.

The jobholder will develop and maintain a network of relations with key business and institutional stakeholders, in Iceland, in the UK and in close cooperation with DIT colleagues across the Europe North region covering the Nordic and Baltic markets.

The Director DIT Iceland reports to the Ambassador but enjoys significant autonomy to set ambitious strategic direction and priorities, working closely with DIT colleagues in other Nordic countries, in the UK and around the world.

  • Demonstrate a positive, inclusive, high-performing approach to the DIT portfolio that creatively contributes to broader objectives of the British Embassy in Reykjavik.
  • Set clear strategic direction for DIT work in Iceland, identifying and prioritising key sectors and opportunities relating to trade and investment in Iceland through market intelligence and networks, and overseeing all projects and events towards the delivery of DIT Iceland targets.
  • Provide expert trade/market access advice and knowledge of the Icelandic operating environment to support and advise British companies.
  • Promote the UK as a great place to do business and attract Icelandic inward investment while developing productive relationships with existing investors.
  • Build and maintain constructive relations with strategic business, institutional stakeholders, and government in Iceland and deliver effective quality service and positive results.
  • Own, deliver, and represent DIT and the British Embassy at events, trade shows, exhibitions, conferences in Iceland and within local business networks, advocating HMG interests compellingly and ensuring effort is focussed on the right priorities for British businesses.
  • Organise and deliver impactful visits to Iceland by UK Ministers and senior officials, ensuring that programmes are well structured and that commercial opportunities are exploited.
  • Raise positive HMG profile in Iceland, building credibility and influence with key decision makers, and through personal engagement, events and social media.
  • Play an active role in the management of the British Embassy in Iceland.
  • Contribute regularly and timely to broader Embassy trade, economic, political reporting, analysis, and policy advice.
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues in the Embassy and across the UK Government to deliver FCDO country plan, communications, and corporate objectives.
  • Play an active role in the British Embassy in Iceland’s crisis response.

  • A confident, outward-facing leader with proven people skills who is capable of delivering high quality results when working independently.
  • At least five years’ experience with a successful track record in international trade, investment, or business development.
  • Proven ability to set strategy and quickly manage high-quality delivery advice to companies in a fast-moving environment.
  • Confident, engaging public speaker who is comfortable giving speeches and chairing meetings.
  • Experience in working at pace and independently, as part of a remote team; and prioritising, and managing a busy workload.
  • Strong track record in building and maintaining successful and effective networks and working relationships at senior business and government levels. Able to quickly establish themselves as authoritative and credible.
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills, and ability to work collaboratively with others.
  • A sound knowledge of both the UK and Iceland, including doing business in Iceland.
  • Good judgment and political awareness.
  • Excellent organisational, project management, IT and administrative skills.
  • An existing network of business contacts in the regions of responsibility.
  • Experience promoting trade and investment.
  • Knowledge of one or more industry sectors (e.g. construction, energy, technology)
  • A recognised qualification in Programme/Project Management
Changing and Improving, Managing a Quality Service, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
30 May 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
37
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Iceland
Reykjavik
British Embassy
1
ISK
ISK 1.071.646,00 (gross monthly)
1 August 2022

No deductions are made from employees’ salaries, which include elements in respect of all required employer and employee contributions. Payment of all taxes and deductions are each employee’s responsibility.

The British Embassy offers a change-oriented, diverse and international environment with a strong focus on learning and development. Annual leave entitlement is 24 days rising to 30 days depending on length of service. The Embassy also observes an additional 14 local and UK public holidays.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance.

All applicants should have the right to live and work in Iceland. The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorization for Iceland in order to apply. The British Embassy does not sponsor for work permits.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Iceland are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Icelandic employment law.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Iceland and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”. We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Also, be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Kindly be advised that the FCDO will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

*For more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.

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.