View Vacancy - SIN - Head of Infrastructure Singapore and SE Asia Regional Lead, 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)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

To lead the UK Department for International Trade (DIT)’s South East Asia Infrastructure High Value Campaign (HVC) through directly managing a team in Singapore and supporting colleagues across the wider region.

The Infrastructure HVC is designed to help UK companies win business across Airport, Bus, Port, Railway, Road, Water and Waste Treatment projects.   This role is split, with a 75% focus on opportunities in Singapore and 25% focus on leading and coordinating the activity of colleagues in Infrastructure HVC teams in other markets within the region (at present, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam).  The role is also expected to actively engage with and support the development and implementation of related HVCs (such as the Technology HVC in Singapore or the regional Marine Engineering HVC lead by Indonesia).

To be successful in the role you will build both expertise of the sector in Singapore and across SE Asia, and deep knowledge of the supply chain in the UK.  You will effectively lead and line manage a team in Singapore and have positive working relationships with DIT teams across the region.  You will establish strong networks with companies and buyers, whilst harnessing the expertise of DIT’s UK-based Infrastructure Business Specialists and Sector Team.

DIT supports UK-based businesses to export globally and encourages overseas investment in the UK.  In Singapore, we focus on the infrastructure, technology and healthcare sectors, as well as supporting high quality investment into the UK. There are 14 people within the DIT team in Singapore and we are located within the British High Commission (BHC). The DIT Regional Director for SE Asia and team are also based in the BHC in Singapore, and we will soon be joined by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia-Pacific. We work closely with the other UK Government departments to support business and the UK Government’s wider objectives. 

Leadership of the Infrastructure team, DIT Singapore

Your day-to-day work will see you:

  • Have overall responsibility for the Infrastructure HVC, through leading a team of two to manage, develop and deliver the campaign in Singapore. This includes identifying a realistic and high quality UK export opportunity pipeline, providing added value support that helps UK companies win business and seeking to exceed DIT-set UK Export Win targets. 
  • Develop a tailored approach for each Infrastructure sub-sector, finding the best way to deliver more big export wins, and taking a strategic approach to identify and engage with major buyers and stakeholders.
  • Identify the most cost effective and high impact ways to promote the UK’s infrastructure sector through events, marketing, trade press, social and other media, and relationships.
  • Lead the design and delivery of high quality infrastructure elements for frequent ministerial and senior official visits, with a purpose of deepening key relationships, identifying new leads and meeting Government policy objectives.
  • Drive income generation through oversight of the Singapore team’s market research and support services for companies.
  • Manage the yearly business planning process by coordinating, rationalising and submitting input from across the SE Asia Infrastructure HVC markets, including horizon scanning and exploring new areas of work (in and outside of the sector) as well as take responsibility for all aspects of performance reporting to London.

Regional HVC leadership

As Singapore is the lead market for the Infrastructure HVC across the region, your day-to-day work will see you:

  • Lead the regional HVC, setting direction, building capability and cross-post working, driving the business planning process, monitoring performance, and supporting on activity where needed.
  • Build strong and effective relationships with DIT and British Government colleagues in the region and wider.
  • Build expertise, personally and in the HVC teams across the region, on infrastructure across SE Asia, from a deep understanding of the diverse markets in the region to understanding the key trends and opportunities.
  • Scope opportunities arising from DIT’s SE Asia Aid-Funded Business Campaign led from Manila, and for collaboration with Chinese (Belt and Road) and Japanese-funded projects.

How the role holder is expected to deliver

The role will require both expertise of the sector and excellent managing, collaboration and networking skills across both Singapore and SE Asia. The successful candidate will:

  • Develop and maintain deep expertise on infrastructure and aligned sectors, covering everything from the technical detail of the companies we work with to the political and economic factors affecting the sector in Singapore and SE Asia.
  • Actively build on DIT’s strong network of companies, buyers and multipliers in Singapore, particularly those with a regional presence, establishing new relationships and cultivating and maintaining existing ones. Deliver key account management of major investors for the region.
  • Maintain a watching brief on all business environment issues across the region which could affect the sector, and take or support action where necessary.
  • Collaborate across the BHC in Singapore, as well as the wider FCO and DIT network, with DIT HQ, and with partners, to ensure that we deliver against HMG objectives and take advantage of opportunities.
  • Work as part of the core leadership team for DIT Singapore, alongside the Director, Deputy Director and other team leaders, supporting corporate activities, responding flexibly where needed to other demands on the wider DIT team, and role modelling good line management and leadership.
  • Demonstrable relevant and appropriate experience, knowledge and/or qualifications in infrastructure and related areas including a proven record of engaging customers, stakeholders and partners
  • A successful track record with significant experience in international trade and investment or business development (including market research, analysing market data and business support)
  • Experience of managing teams, as well as strong team work and collaboration skills, including confidence in suggesting new ideas and challenging senior stakeholders
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills and the ability to work collaboratively with business contacts and colleagues in Singapore, other SE Asian countries and the UK
  • A proactive, can-do approach, combined with high standards for delivery and meeting deadlines
  • Ability to work independently at pace, and to prioritise, managing an often heavy workload
  • Good judgement and political awareness
  • Excellent organisational, IT and administrative skills
  • Experience working with the UK Government
  • Experience in a sales environment
1 June 2018
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Asia Pacific
Singapore
Singapore
British High Commission
1
SGD
7,114
9 July 2018

Normal working hours are 37.5 per week: 8.30am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday.  There will be a requirement for occasional and limited out of hours work around major events and visits.

BHC Singapore supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering. This particular role allows for flexibility in start and end times, working compressed hours, working remotely on one or a couple of days in a week, and the possibility of a job share arrangement, subject to agreement with management.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. This is a locally engaged position subject to local laws and terms. Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks.

Should the successful candidate require a permit to work in Singapore, the British High Commission will apply and sponsor the appropriate pass on their behalf.

BHC Singapore offers time and financial support for the successful candidate to take advantage of professional learning and development opportunities inside and outside of the organisation.

All applications must be received before 11:55PM (Singapore Time) on 01 June 2018.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted regarding the next phase of the selection process. 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.