View Vacancy - SH - Business Relations and Ministerial Engagement Officer, B3 (L)

Main purpose of job:

We are seeking an exceptional individual who is expert, engaging, enterprising and inclusive and will pro-actively take on this frontline DIT role in the Consulate General in Shanghai, covering a key aspect of the UK-China bilateral relationship in the Shanghai consular region which includes Zhejiang, Jiangsu and Anhui. Reporting directly to the head of the team, you will be primarily focussed on the organisation, planning and delivery of DIT ministerial and senior-official visits as well as the execution of our cross-cutting Chinese investor strategy, as outlined in our Regional Trade Plan.

With a GDP that was recorded at over 500bn in 2018 Shanghai is a major epicentre of Chinese commercial activity is of key strategic importance in our China strategy. Shanghai and the consular region is one of the primary sources of investment coming from China into the UK and we will continue to see a high volume of HMG visitors who wish to engage with these businesses and require unique and bespoke visit programmes which are delivered flawlessly at post.

Within the business relations function you will work with colleagues to have sight of the region’s largest corporate stakeholders working to support effective key account management as well as being the lead for all cross-cutting, non-sectoral investment activity in the region. You will hold excellent knowledge and insights on the commercial and political environment which will be applied to inform UK government’s commercial engagement and activity. In this inward and outward facing role you will work to identify key government and non-government partners to work with, including multipliers and membership organisations. In addition, you will work closely with our Beijing teams to ensure joined up activity in visits as well as generally supporting the activity of the British Consulate in Shanghai.

• 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 – Consistent 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.

The Department for International Trade (DIT), operating in 108 countries, is helping to secure a better deal for the UK as it negotiates a successful exit from the EU. 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 the economic well-being and stability of the UK, 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 and the Hong Kong SAR, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With 171 staff across six posts - Beijing, plus Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shanghai, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the UK government network in China led by the Ambassador offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK: China and Hong Kong SAR Government relations. 

Roles and responsibilities: 

Support Delivery of High Impact Ministerial and VIP Visits to Deliver on Commercial Outcomes

• Working closely with the Head of Ministerial Visits in Beijing and the Consul General’s office to support the delivery of top quality VIP (ministerial and above) visit programmes that contribute to bilateral commercial ties
• Working collaboratively with other sections, departments and partners of government to ensure all visits are fully collaborative and leveraging the full British government offer
• You will have a forensic level of attention to detail. In addition, you will need to be comfortable dealing with ambiguity while being able to process large volumes of information;
• You will need to maintain a thoughtful and co-ordinated approach to engagement with our internal and external stakeholders, including the Provincial government, making the best use of contacts to support delivery of creative, slick and impactful Ministerial Visits that are value for money and help build the UK’s reputation and influence
• You will provide China specific insight and knowledge to UK colleagues on UK inbound missions from Chinese delegations to help inform commercially successful programmes.

Identify and Attract Cross-Cutting Investment in South China

• Work to identify potential investors who operate across multiple sectors by participating in various business events, building and maintaining effective relationship with business partners and stakeholders
• With an analytical eye and technical insight, help to identify key potential UK investors emerging from the Yangze River Delta region for which we will provide a ‘gold-plated’ service to promote investment opportunities
• Work hand-in-glove with our UK Capital Investment and Business Relations teams to support in the delivery of our ‘gold plated’ service by engaging and mobilising British Government ministers, VIPs, the Consul General and senior government representatives
• Work with teams to identify and build strategic business relationships with cross-sector multipliers including business advisories, consultancies, accountancies and professional service firms to promote UK plc

Support Effective Relationship Management

• Liaise with colleagues across the British government network to support the delivery of the DIT’s key account management system
• Within a framework agreed with post senior management and your line manager, identify and build and maintain relationships with key x-cutting investor stakeholders in China and the UK, including government departments, trade associations, intermediaries and others in order to understand their business intentions and needs to identify potential opportunities for trade and investment
• Prepare presentation/briefing documents for CG or other senior management in business activities both in the UK and China to enhance bilateral commercial ties.

Support Shanghai consular Activities and Engage with British Membership Business Associations

• Support the wider activities of the Shanghai consulate, including event support and coordination activity
• Represent DIT to engage in British business events aiming to facilitate UK business interests and enhance bilateral business ties between the UK and China
• Maintain regular communication with partners to facilitate the work transition process, and enhance the information sharing.

Knowledge and Skills development

• Commit to continual learning, making full use of on the job opportunities to have a better understanding of the UK capability and UK/China business environment, as well as formal training for skills and personal competences most relevant to your job. This includes knowledge-sharing with colleagues across DIT and the wider Embassy/Consulate.

• Education to degree level or equivalent professional qualification required
• Experience in using the Microsoft Office suite of products
• Fluent in English and Chinese, both written and spoken
• Over 2 years commercial experience
• Forensic level of attention to detail, and able to process large amounts of information
• Excellent communication skills with a friendly and forthcoming manner
• Adaptable, calm in crisis, and a fast thinker.