View Vacancy - Trade and Investment Officer (Maternity Cover)

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 Doha is part of a worldwide network that represents political, economic, security and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Trade and Investment Officer grade A2 (L) to cover a maternity to start in June 2021.

Main Purpose of the Job:

As a Trade and Investment Officer for the job holder will be responsible for identifying, supporting and developing opportunities for new and extant British companies seeking to enter or expand in the Qatari market.

The role in context will have a primary responsibility for supporting the Sports Economy – FIFA World Cup 2022 sector, with a focus on opportunities within the ‘World Cup Legacy’ pipeline including trade missions and Ministerial visits.

In addition, the role will lead on opportunities across the Creative sector, whilst providing ad-hoc support to the Infrastructure, Technology and Smart Cities – Senior Commercial Attaché, where resource is available.

The role is required to support wider DIT responsibilities including handling market research enquiries, coordinating events, and recording business interactions, providing tailored reports and proactively identifying business opportunities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Providing direct support, but not limited to the Senior Commercial Attaché to develop a deep understanding of the UK and Qatari markets, including key players, market opportunities, market access issues and competition.
  • Contribute to and support the growth of UK exports and/or ODI in the Qatari market.
  • Build local relationships with organisations (private and public) and relevant Ministries, that increase British trade by identifying export opportunities and future economic partnerships.
  • Engaging the respective sectors’ network, including support briefing British and Qatari businesses, responding to enquiries, including market access, local engagement and doing business in Qatar.
  • Support the sector leads to build and manage a pipeline export opportunities for British companies.
  • Organise and support key events and activities which support British trade work in Qatar including webinars, roadshows, trade missions and Ministerial visits.
  • Support the sectoral delivery against agreed targets, including Export Wins, OMIS (Overseas Market Introduction Service) revenue, Export Opportunities, and case studies / success stories published.
  • Support the capture of challenges and improvement of Qatari market access for UK exports.
  • Travel to the UK and region to support trade promotion activities where relevant.
  • Initiate engagement with Qatari clients to identify market trends and emerging opportunities.
  • Build and maintain operational relationships within the Embassy, across the wider MEAP region and with DIT/Whitehall.
  • Collaborate with UK and Regional teams, including sector specialists to deliver high quality outputs and support to British businesses.
  • Provision of administrative support to the wider team as and when required.
  • Promote, where relevant, the financing products offered by UK Export Finance, the British government’s Export Credit Agency, to support companies win contracts.
  • Maintaining a log contact with customers on our global ‘Data Hub’ database.

Additional DIT team duties include:

  • Providing support to wider team events, including VIP/Ministerial visits.
  • Updating the DIT key contact database to be used for invites to events.
  • Providing support to the wider Trade and Investment team as required.
  • Any additional duties as required by the Director/Deputy Director of International Trade.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key Competencies:

  • Delivering at Pace: Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes
  • Collaborating and Partnering: People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
  • Managing a Quality Service: Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements.
  • Leading and Communicating: Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm.
  • Strong IT computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office and conducting internet searches.
  • Good presentation and interpersonal skills.
  • The ability to initiate and maintain a wide range of working relationships.
  • Previous experience in a customer-facing role.
  • Strong organisational skills.
  • Ideally, some knowledge of the Qatar business environment.
  • The ability to work quickly, reliably and proactively with attention to detail and limited supervision.
  • Excellent written and oral English is essential with an eye for detail.
  • Experience of organising events and customer database.
  • Experience of working in a large team and of working in the GCC
  • Knowledge of Arabic (spoken and written) is desirable but not essential.
15 May 2021
Administrative Officer (AO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
6 months
Middle East & North Africa
Qatar
Doha
British Embassy
1
QAR
12,585
30 June 2021

Working Hours and Remuneration:

The British Embassy offers a competitive remuneration package, including non-negotiable salary of QR 11,785 per calendar month and transportation allowance of QR 800 per calendar month, paid in arrears. A leave entitlement of 25 working days rising to 30 working days; and access to trainings. The contract will be for a full-time employment, on a fixed-term basis to cover a maternity for six (6) months subject to 1-month probation period.

The initial contract will be for six (6) months, with options to extend on a month-by-month basis until May 2022. The expected duration at this time for employment is from June 2021 to May 2022 – subject to change depending on return to work circumstances.

No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week. Embassy working hours are 7.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on Thursday. Due to the nature of the work, the jobholder should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out-of-hours.

The British Embassy in Doha has an active Continuous Professional Development Committee, and the whole of Post is committed to providing the time and resources for staff to develop professionally. Opportunities for continuous personal and professional development will be offered throughout the period of employment, as well as mandatory DIT and/or FCDO training. Opportunities to enhance skills during employment may include:

  • Digital learning platforms with a range of courses covering economics, international policy and project management
  • Job shadowing
  • International Academy seminars and presentations by FCDO regional experts
  • Informal internal knowledge-sharing sessions (Lunch & Learns)

Further specific development opportunities will depend on the jobholder’s interests and experience. Travel to the UK and within the Gulf region (and possibly further afield) may be required for training and logistical purposes.

The successful candidate will need to commence security clearance procedures through the Embassy and will be required to have or obtain the appropriate security clearance before employment commences and maintain this throughout period of employment.

Eligibility:

Applicants must already reside in Qatar and hold the right to live and work there, including those either under spouse sponsorship or be able to transfer an existing sponsorship to the British Embassy.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates must complete the online application form and answer the motivation for applying and competency questions. Please also attached a copy of your residence visa and Qatar ID as part of your application.

** (Your application must include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above in your online application form. Applications that are not complete will be rejected).

The closing date for applications will be 15 May 2021 by 23:55 Doha local time.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months. The successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances, medical clearance and reference checks.

To note: Due to the current situation surrounding Covid-19, whilst the Embassy remains operational, it is with limited capacity and therefore staff are required to work from home. This situation remains under regular review to ensure the safety of all Embassy employees.

 

The British Embassy Doha is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy is subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Qatari employment law.

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.