View Vacancy - Senior Trade Adviser – Financial & Professional Services (06/21 JHB)
Overview
The UK Department for International Trade has a committed and growing presence across 23 of Africa’s nations. We support growth in the UK and international markets by working with the private sector and Government to support international trade and investment.
We aspire to help tackle business environment issues, work with UK companies to support their transactions in market, help introduce commercial solutions to meet African needs, and attract foreign investment to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth in both countries.
The jobholder will join a dynamic team of committed trade officers working to support the UK’s commercial agenda and solidify and expand our trade, investment and innovation partnership with South Africa. This is an exciting time to join DIT Africa, as we continue to expand our resources to deliver on the ambition of our Government to be Africa’s trade and investment partner of choice.
Roles and responsibilities:
You will lead the UK DIT South Africa’s trade activity in the financial and professional services sectors, working closely with colleagues across the High Commission, building a healthy pipeline of potential deals; and working with British businesses and South African buyers to best position them for success
To do so you will build/expand your networks with key South African Government and private sector decision makers; including buyers, budget holders, policy makers, and regulators across the sectors
You will work with a small team to identify and deliver a pipeline of export business opportunities in South Africa for UK companies in the financial and professional services sectors, in consultation with business and based on an understanding of UK business interests
You will account manage a selection of the most significant UK business; responding to their needs and supporting their work
You will work hard and hand in hand with our comms team to market the UK’s capability in financial and professional services to key stakeholders in the South African public and private sectors
And you will work with colleagues in the market access/trade policy teams to build a pipeline of cases to explore the advancement of UK commercial interests in these fora
- 3+ years of relevant experience in financial and professional services sectors – in Government, regulatory bodies or the private sector
- Strong oral and written English communication skills
- Ability to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Good interpersonal skills and comfortable dealing with senior officials and business people
- Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail
- Superior professionalism and judgment
- Experience working on services chapters or on the services sectors in trade policy agreements
- Experience of working on multi-year campaigns on business development
- Excellent networks in SA Government or private sector in relevant sectors
Learning and development opportunities:
This role provides enormous opportunities to grow and develop given its pan-Africa leadership role.
You will have access to the full suite of DIT and FCO learning and development opportunities including the FCO’s Diplomatic Academy, training in the UK, and will be encouraged to join DIT’s trade profession. We also provide regular in-house learning opportunities and are committed to supporting further academic opportunities. Our staff who demonstrate great leadership potential are encouraged to apply for the FCO’s pan-African Emerging Leadership Programme.
The successful applicant will be expected to complete the Certificate in UK Export Finance within the first three months of the role
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
This role is Johannesburg based and reports to the Country Director for the UK Department for International Trade in South Africa, also based in Johannesburg.
There will be travel requirements and opportunities in South Africa and potentially to the UK.
- 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.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
