View Vacancy - JPN (Tokyo) - Senior Welsh Affairs Officer, HEO
Main Purpose of Job:
The Welsh Government Office in Tokyo is seeking a Senior Wales Affairs Officer to support in country delivery of the ambitions set out in the Welsh Government’s International Strategy. The strategy aims to raise Wales’ profile internationally, grow the Welsh economy through international trade and investment and establish Wales as a globally responsible nation.
The role will be based at the British Embassy in Tokyo and report to the Head of the Welsh Government Office. Working closely with other teams in market and Wales, you will contribute to delivering the International Strategy by leading our engagement with priority regions in Japan to identify trade and investment opportunities, foster academic collaboration and strengthen governmental ties between Wales and Japan. You will also generate local insights through research and proactive stakeholder engagement to deliver high quality communications and marketing activity that raise the profile of Wales in Japan and support delivery of wider country plan objectives.
The ideal candidate will have a background in either trade or investment work with knowledge of communications and marketing. They will be a confident communicator and networker, with the ability to interact with external contacts at all levels and be able to demonstrate a track record of fostering successful business relationships.
What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve:
Business Development
- Support the Welsh Government’s Head of Japan in delivering in-market priorities and the broader objectives of the Welsh Government.
- Maintain and develop priority regional relationships which can be leveraged to support the delivery of Wales’ trade and investment objectives across priority sectors in Japan.
- Work with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate visit programs for ministerial and senior official visitors ensuring visits support delivery of Welsh Government objectives in Japan.
Trade and Investment
- Establish strong relationships across government and industry senior stakeholders and leveraging these to identify and develop trade and investment opportunities for the benefit of Wales.
- Work closely with colleagues in the International and Business & Region teams in Wales, identify, develop and deliver high-quality inward investment projects from new and existing investors.
- Provide direct support to trade development colleagues in preparation and delivery of trade missions, liaising with UK Department of Business and Trade as well as local trade organisations and sector groups as appropriate.
- Work closely with trade development colleagues in Wales to provide information and guidance for Welsh businesses, including identifying regional export opportunities and advice on local trading conditions and market entry strategies.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of the business issues, drivers, and trends within Japan and providing advice on how these factors impact delivery of inward investment and market entry for exporters.
Communications and Marketing
- Lead on communications and marketing activity for Wales Government Japan Office. Apply marketing insight and a deep understanding of Japanese market and trends to effectively target key audiences.
- Lead planning and delivery of communications, speaking engagements and proactively scope and secure interview opporutnities for prominent Welsh Experts, senior officials and Ministers.
- Work with Wales-based teams to develop and implement high-impact, targeted marketing activities to build awareness of Wales as a modern, innovative, high-tech creative economy and promote trade and investment opportunities in priority sectors.
- Oversee Wales Government social media channels in Japan. Draft effective media and social copy in English and Japanese posting to Wales Government channels where required.
Resources Managed (Staff and Expenditure):
No people management, however, the job holder will be responsible for managing budgets allocated to their lead areas of activity.
- At least 5 years recent experience of working in a similar business development role for a government or regional agency
- Excellent interpersonal, networking, market research and communication skills
- A self-starter able to work on their own initiative and an excellent team player
- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to absorb information quickly and efficiently
- Experience with stakeholder management, including government entities, businesses and education institutions with the confidence to engage at a senior level
- Ability to act as a credible representative for the Welsh Government in a range of public settings, in any of the fields for which the Welsh Government has responsibility
Language Requirements:
- Japanese and English
- Level of language required: Proficient in both English and Japanese (Japanese must be fluent at JLPT N1 or equivalent). English level should be at least strong business level.
Appreciation and understanding/familiarity of Wales
- 1 month salary bonus equivalents payable in June and December
(Note: Salary may be reduced due to tax status) - Commuting allowance of up to JPY35,000 per month (paid on an actual cost basis)
- 25 days paid annual leave (calculated pro rata)
- Health Insurance and Employee pension (kenko hoken/kosei nenkin)
- Employment Insurance (koyou hoken)
Working Patterns:
Full time and office based. 37.5 hours per week.
The British Embassy Tokyo supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering. This particular role allows for flexibility in start and end times, remote working one day per week, and the possibility of a job share arrangement, subject to agreement with management.
Applicants must possess or be able to secure a local work permit.
The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.
Learning and Development Opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The British Embassy offers comprehensive learning and development opportunities that will be fully available to the jobholder. We regularly run both work area specific training, as well as more general skills development in project management, finance, and leadership.
All staff are required to take a role in the Embassy’s crisis preparation and response. Full training will be provided for this, and regular opportunities will be available to test and develop your skills.
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.
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.
Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate these behaviours, including through your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which provides detailed guidance on how the behaviours are defined.
Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format to prepare specific examples of when they have demonstrated these behaviours in their application. Using the STAR format to provide evidence of your skills and experience in your application and at interview helps to give a structure. You briefly describe the situation in which you showed the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender and nationality.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
