View Vacancy - Senior Trade Adviser – Infrastructure and Mining

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Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT

The Department of International Trade at the British Embassy in Cairo has a vacancy for a Senior Trade Adviser who will lead the Infrastructure and Mining sectors, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO).

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic self-starter, with excellent commercial awareness and creativity, in order to help UK companies capitalise on the opportunities Egypt offers for trade and investment.

The Senior Trade Adviser will lead on the Infrastructure and Mining sectors, and other sectors depending on DIT priorities at the time; collaborating closely with the Country Director, Deputy Country Director and the Senior Trade Policy Adviser. Flexibility is essential as sector responsibilities could change and the ideal candidate will be willing to support on any sector and cross-sectorial activity.

Main purpose of job:

To deliver the trade promotion elements of the DIT Country Plan for Egypt, and DIT Regional Trade Plan for Africa. Using leadership and commercial expertise, you will design and implement a strategy to promote trade with and investment into Egypt, resulting in increased exports of UK goods and services to Egypt, and expanded UK business investment in Egypt. 

Main duties and responsibilities:

1. Maintain a high and up-to-date level of expertise on the Egyptian market, building relationships with key buyers and the Egyptian Government, and drawing on a wide range of data and evidence.

2. Using this expertise, and the deep evidence base that you will help develop, identify priority sectors in Egypt where UK companies can add and derive most value. Check and challenge assumptions around these sectors on a regular basis.

3. Lead on designing and delivering a targeted strategy to increase British exports to, and investment in Egypt, in Infrastructure and Mining sectors. You will do this by:

  • Working with DIT sector leads to understand HMG priorities and expertise within set specific sectors;
  • identifying and generating trade and investment opportunities;
  • providing British companies with professional advice and high-quality market analysis;
  • facilitating introductions and providing other support required for those companies to enter the Egyptian market and win contracts, such as organisation of business missions, PR and media campaigns to increase the demand for UK goods and services in Egypt;
  • promoting the financing products offered by UK Export Finance, the British government’s Export Credit Agency, to support British companies win contracts;
  • working closely with the Senior Trade Policy Adviser to identify issues faced by British companies active in Egypt in the sectors you are responsible for, develop, and implement clear strategies to resolve them.

4. Develop a targeted stakeholder engagement plan for your priority sectors. This will include creating and maintain your own strong network of business and public sector leaders, but also recommending and drawing on stakeholder engagement from other British Government colleagues (e.g. British Ambassador, Country Director, DIT Africa Senior Leadership Team).

5. Collaborate closely with other UK government departments both in Egypt and in the UK, including but not limited to the Defence, Development and Political Teams in the Embassy, as well as the British Council. Provide advice and guidance to those colleagues on trade, investment and trade policy issues, ensuring that delivery of commercial opportunities is complementary to the UK’s wider policy objectives in Egypt.

6. Contribute fully and flexibly to DIT corporate objectives and the work of DIT Africa:

  • Report contact with UK companies and monitor/record follow up activity though DIT systems, working with the DIT Country Director and Deputy Country Director to ensure targets are met.
  • Ensure all export opportunities are captured and advertised to British businesses.
  • Support the work of the DIT team, including through ad-hoc translation and interpreting, maintaining trade statistics, assisting British (and, where relevant, Egyptian) companies with visa enquiries, budget management, business planning finances and inputting management information.
  • Lead on responses to DIT parliamentary questions, Ministerial correspondence and public enquiries.
  • Promote and share successful campaign approaches;
  • Encourage collaboration with other DIT teams in relevant markets across Africa.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs.

Key behaviours:

  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • Communicating and Influencing - Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.
  • Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Fluency in English and Arabic, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication;
  • Sector expertise or experience in Infrastructure and Mining sectors;
  • Graduate with a university degree in a relevant subject (e.g. business, economics, international relations, etc.);
  • At least five (5) years recent experience in business development, trade/commercial sectors.
  • Ability to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines;
  • Resourcefulness in solving problems;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and comfortable dealing with senior officials and business people;
  • Flexible, adaptable, team player and resilient;
  • Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail;
  • Superior professionalism and judgement;
  • High IT proficiency (Microsoft platform);
  • Experience dealing with government organisations;
  • Learning and adaptability skills, keen on personal development and quick learner.
Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
6 October 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
36
12 months
Middle East & North Africa
Egypt
Cairo
British Embassy
1
USD
2,277
1 December 2022

Eligibility:

Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in Egypt.

Remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including a non-negotiable gross salary of USD 2,277 per month subject to insurance and tax as per the usual regulations based on a 36 hours per week. However, employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount. 

We offer a competitive package including medical benefits, performance related bonus, recreational facilities, opportunities for job related training & development, etc. There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

The role is for a full-time employment, on a fixed term basis for one (1) year with a possibility of renewal, subject to three (3) months’ probationary period.

The British Embassy is committed to helping staff develop in their careers through formal and informal training and coaching. The successful candidate will have access to a range of Learning and Development opportunities with in-house and e-learning, with the potential for overseas training. From time to time there will be requirements to assist other teams within the Department, building overall resilience and broader experience.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents in English to their online application:

  1. Updated Curriculum Vitae.
  2. A covering letter stating why you feel you have the necessary skills to perform well in the above role.

**Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the required behaviours in the behaviours questions section of the online application form.

The closing date for applications is 23:55 (Egypt Local Time) 06 October 2022.

Please note that incomplete applications or applications received after the stated deadline will not be taken into consideration.

Due to the large amount of applications, we receive only those shortlisted for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted.

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.

Personal data collected will be treated in strictest confidence under the terms of the UK Data Protection Act and used for recruitment purposes only.

 

The British Embassy Cairo is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staffs recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Egypt employment law.

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.