View Vacancy - SH - Head of Fintech, 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 and demanding role for an exceptional individual to be Head of Fintech for DIT China. Working closely with colleagues as part of the Financial and Professional Services team, you will play a key role in supporting the DIT China region (Mainland 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

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 (DIT) operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes British 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.195 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

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Financial and Professional Services in DIT in Shanghai, the jobholder will be required to support engagement with firms in the FinTech sector across China and the UK, international representative bodies, and leading analysts in the field. In this task you will work closely with the DIT teams based in Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

In this role you will need to be able to build a strong network of contacts and good relationships with working level commercial and government relationship contacts in the insurance and asset management sectors and with officials in the Chinese government and regulators. You will then need to be able to leverage those networks to achieve quantifiable commercial outcomes, ensuring bilateral investment is promoted and secured through: identifying commercial opportunities to deepen bilateral insurance and asset management  relationships; deliver strategic initiatives to develop deepen capital market connections between both countries; arranging meetings with the regulators for senior visitors and Embassy officials; leading on developing visit programmes for senior visitors; and supporting bilateral workshops, conferences and other events that seek to further bilateral trade.

The post holder needs to build on a strong understanding of issues affecting the Fintech sector in China and be able to communicate this to a British audience, and be able to articulate what this means for UK business interests. As such, you will be expected to lead on ministerial briefing, drafting sectoral updates on China’s FinTech and take forward discrete special reports on specific topics of interest in the Chinese Fintech sector.

The post holder will play a pivotal role in supporting UK firms to increase their exports to China and securing inward investment to the UK from Chinese firms. You will need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of the opportunities and challenges for the Fintech sector in China, and how the UK can best share expertise to influence policy and support the Chinese government to develop an open, efficient and sustainable financial system.

Strong written and oral English and Chinese skills are essential.

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

  • Stakeholder management and ensuring commercial outcomes (65%)

The post holder will establish, develop and maintain a network of key contacts in the Chinese and British FinTech sector, helping firms in both countries deliver quantifiable commercial outcomes. They will also be instrumental in supporting initiatives to promote liberalisation of China’s financial services market to help increase UK financial services exports to China and encourage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Chinese firms into the UK.

  • Sectoral analysis (20%)

Accurate, timely and well-written reporting (in English) on developments in FinTech in China, as well as delivering verbal briefings (in English) to visiting UK ministers and business leaders. Customers for this analysis include UK business, internal DIT stakeholders and key partners in HM Treasury, the Bank of England, the Foreign Office and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

  • Inward visits and Events (10%)

Leading on and delivering successful visits to China by UK government ministers, senior officials and business delegations related to FinTech and the wider financial services industry. To do this you must be able to develop a strong network of contacts within the Chinese commercial sector, government and other organisations such as think tanks, universities, and international organisations in Beijing.  You will be expected to operate with considerable autonomy.

For the highest-level visits (including the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister), you will support more senior members of the team.  This requires a willingness to get stuck-in and support the wider team during particularly busy periods.  Under the current situation, most of these visits and events will be implemented in a virtual format.

  • Corporate Contribution (5%)

Play an active role in embedding the ‘DIT Spirit’ by identifying and progressing opportunities to promote the department’s values of being Expert, Engaged, Enterprising and Inclusive. Build capacity and share expertise with colleagues across the  network.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

This position line manages 2x B3L roles in Beijing and Shanghai.

  • Experience of working in the financial services sector;
  • Excellent command of English both spoken and written;
  • Native level of Mandarin Chinese, both spoken and written;
  • Proven organisational and line management skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, strong relationship building and management skills, including with government officials and commercial stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of the UK and/or Chinese FinTech sector(s);
  • Experience managing a project team and individual reports.  
23 June 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
24 months
Asia Pacific
China
Shanghai
British Consulate General
1
CNY
Chinese: CNY 29,488 ; British: CNY 38,425
18 October 2021
17 October 2023

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. 

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross starting salary (before all deductions) for this position is RMB 29,488/ month for Mainland China Nationals and an abated monthly salary of RMB 38,425/ month for British Nationals and spouses/ partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.

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.

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 investment and trade 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.

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

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

The British Consulate General is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.

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

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “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. 

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.

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. 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.

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.