View Vacancy - CPK - Head of Banking and Capital Markets, C4(L)

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 Department for International Trade (DIT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DIT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender. 

Main purpose of job

This is an exciting opportunity within the financial services team in the British Embassy in Beijing. Working closely with colleagues and external stakeholders you will play a key role in supporting the DIT China region (China & Hong Kong) achieve its objectives as articulated in the Regional Trade Plan, of which the over-arching ambitions are:

Objective 1 - Driving and inspiring UK exports to China, significantly increasing the UK market share of China's goods imports, and more than double the value of UK services exports;

Objective 2 - Strengthened trade policy engagement with China to achieve incremental market access, mitigate business risk and prepare for future trade deals; and

Objective 3 - Broadening and deepening the UK-China investment partnership, positioning the UK as the top European destination for Chinese investment and providing strong support for UK investors.

Context

The Department for International Trade operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes UK trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs.

DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China. Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c.190 staff across six posts – Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the UK government network in China, offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China government relations.

Detail

We are looking for two enthusiastic, diligent and collaborative team members to join the Financial and Professional Services Team in Beijing. We are looking for two self-starting candidates who are able to lead a team to develop and execute commercial opportunities for the UK in this exciting and rapidly evolving sector. The jobholders would ideally have, or be able to develop quickly, a sound understanding of China’s rapidly evolving financial system and identify potential opportunities for UK industry. The successful candidate should also be able to understand key trends within the sector, including, demographic change, the transition to carbon neutrality and the integration of financial technology; and identify opportunities for UK engagement within these themes.

The Embassy receives a significant number of senior ministerial visits and the jobholders will play key role in developing activity and engagement plans for our financial services work, helping to effectively leverage visits (both offline and online), and related events, to deliver meaningful commercial and policy outcomes.

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

    • Policy, market access and strategy development (50%): 

    Develop strategies for: banking, capital market and professional services sectors. Leading their own sectoral teams and working closely with colleagues in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. This includes:

    - Identifying and delivering high value opportunities for UK financial services exports to China.

    - Identifying and delivering high value foreign direct investment (FDI) projects from China into the UK along the growth of Chinese firms with an existing presence in the UK.

    - Developing and implementing activity and engagement for the financial year, encompassing seminars, events, virtual meetings and trade missions, to support export and investment goals, ensuring that these plans are executed to the highest standards.

    - Seeking out opportunities within each sector to deepen the UK-China green finance relationship, both in the build up to and after the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, to be held in Glasgow later this year. Working closely with the green finance programme team.

    • Stakeholder engagement (30%):

    Build and maintain strong relationships with UK and Chinese companies and other commercial organisations (e.g. trade associations), as well as the main policy-making authorities. Use those relationships to develop a deep understanding of firms’ business/international plans and priorities, and the regulatory and policy environment that they operate in. Continually and proactively expand a professional network by organising and participating in relevant sector-focused events.

    • High-level visits and events (20%):

    Contribute to the design and delivery of high-level visits (offline/online) between the UK and China by officials and ministers, and the annual Chancellor-led Economic and Financial Dialogue. This includes involvement in visits planning, delivery, and follow-up work, working closely with key partners to ensure a “One Team” approach.

    Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

    This include line management responsibility of 1 staff - B3(L)

    Essential on Arrival:

    • Proven international experience, ideally including experience/understanding of the UK and/or Chinese financial and professional services industry.
    • Excellent skills in both verbal and written communication; and
    • Broad understanding of financial services industry, particularly within the specific sub-sectors for each role.

    Language requirements:                                                              

    English                                                                     Other Languages: Mandarin

    Spoken: Excellent/Highly Proficient                          Spoken: Excellent/Highly Proficient      

    Written:  Excellent/Highly Proficient                          Written: Excellent/Highly Proficient       

    • Well-organised, motivated and diligent;
    • Good IT skills, including Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and database management;
    • UK experience/exposure – studying, living or (particularly) working in the UK; and
    • Experience working with local/national government or within a financial institution.
    20 October 2021
    Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
    Fixed Term, Full-time
    35
    24 months
    Asia Pacific
    China
    Beijing
    British Embassy
    1
    CNY
    Chinese Nationals: CNY 29,488 | British Nationals: CNY 38,425
    1 December 2021

    This position is being advertised as a 24 months fixed-term position in Beijing, and will be extended subject to performance and availability of funding. 

    Please note that we currently have 2 similar C4 vacancies (Head of Banking and Capital Markets; and Head of Asset Management and Insurance). If you are interested in either opportunity please submit an application for both.

    External Non-Chinese National Candidates

    Due to local Government measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including strict entry restrictions, applicants who are non-Chinese nationals are likely to face significant obstacles when seeking residence permits, or travel into China. Please familiarise yourself with the latest restrictions and processes before applying. The British Embassy and Consulates General cannot cover the cost of transport, quarantine or accommodation for applicants who require work permits. 

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

    There is plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and to establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their trade and investment professionalism.

    In addition, opportunities and activities include:

    • Courses and learning modules offered through the International Trade Profession and Diplomatic Academy.
    • Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc
    • Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management, effective remote working and trade policy.
    • Opportunities for job shadowing across the network
    • An individual bid fund providing funding to support more tailored learning and development needs.

    Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

    No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. 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. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.

    We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.

    All applications must be received before 23:55 China Standard Time on the specified application deadline.

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

    Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. 

    Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.

    Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

    To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

    REMINDER: 

    Applicants are required to fill out the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage so please ensure you provide information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting shortlisted candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

    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.