View Vacancy - Trade Advisor (Department for International Trade) (05/17 ABI)

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Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

Main purpose of job:

To identify export and overseas direct investment opportunities in Cote d’Ivoire and promote these to UK companies; to work closely with the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Abidjan to identify opportunities for UK companies to secure Aid- Funded Business, support UK companies seeking to secure Aid- Funded Business from the AfDB.

To respond promptly to enquiries from UK business seeking to export their goods or services to Côte d’Ivoire or seeking to bid for aid funded business tendered by the African Development Bank; to provide ongoing support to British companies exploring exporting or investing into Côte d’Ivoire including by organising trade missions; to provide market insight and sector-specific analysis according to their needs (on a chargeable basis); stay abreast with UK companies operating in Cote d’Ivoire to fully understand their objectives.

Roles and responsibilities

UK firms can offer expertise across a range of sectors which respond to the opportunities, demands and requirements resulting from West Africa’s economic growth and diversification. The region has significant long-term economic potential with vast natural resources and a young and growing population. West Africa offers a wide array of business opportunities, especially in the oil and gas sector but also increasingly in areas such as mining, infrastructure and agriculture. Current trade figures are good but we want to do better.

As part of the British Government’s commitment to increasing UK exports worldwide, the UK’s West Africa trade team has offices in Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Senegal and forms part of the wider Africa continental network of another 14 countries. The team is developing a trade strategy to identify and better tap into West Africa’s vast potential and increase trade between the UK and the region. The job holder will need to take a regional approach, working with colleagues in offices across Africa to maximise the trading relationship between the UK and Cote d’Ivoire in particular but also contributing to increased UK trade across the continent through working with the AfDB.

The key sectors of focus are currently extractives, energy, infrastructure, and education. These sectors are subject to annual review.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Build and develop a network of key contacts across government and the private sector, in order monitor sector developments and identify opportunities for UK business interested in or already working in Cote d’Ivoire. Providing information, monitoring procurement websites and proactively contacting British businesses, ensuring a good quality service is provided to our UK customers;
  • Engage directly with British companies with an interest in exploring export opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire, producing good quality detailed reports, market insights and sector or product-specific information and analysis;
  • Work closely with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to identify and promote Aid-Funded Business opportunities for UK firms to bid for, acting as the bridge between AfDB and DIT teams across Africa,
  • Provide tailored support to a number of UK firms seeking to win aid funded business from the AfDB
  • Meet annual DIT targets in Cote d’Ivoire for UK companies winning new business in Cote d’Ivoire, contribute to meeting regional targets to increase in the number of companies exporting across the region.
  • Upload export opportunities in Cote d’Ivoire and those offered by the AfDB onto the UK Department for International Trade’s customised database, and ensure that targets to identify new export opportunity are met throughout the year;

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Engagement with UK Government Departments, agencies, companies and organisations at all levels to ensure understanding of their current needs and aspirations;
  • Build strong and effective relationships with stakeholders and clients in the UK and Côte d’Ivoire;
  • Take responsibility for the smooth running of British trade missions to Côte d’Ivoire, from arrival to departure;
  • Keep UK companies fully up to speed on export opportunities to the region via DIT databases;
  • As a member of the regional team, work across the network to maximise trade opportunities, increase the impact of inward missions and other visits from the UK;
  • Prepare trade briefings, trade statistics, and identify a pipeline of future opportunities to include in annual business planning;
  • Assist with VIP visits including  programme arrangements and logistics;
  • Ensure timely and accurate reporting on economic and sector developments in Cote d’Ivoire relevant to trade, working with colleagues in the Embassy and the UK Chamber of Commerce in Cote d’Ivoire to identify barriers to business;
  • Ensure timely and accurate reporting on policy and sector developments in the AfDB;
  • Liaison with the West Africa Trade Director, DIT based in Lagos, other Regional DIT teams, and UK customers to deliver the best possible service;
  • Liaison with AfDB, understand how the AfDB works and the bank’s policies and priorities, establish key contacts in the organisation;
  • Attend and organise various out of hours events, including receptions and business debate

  • Candidates should be able to demonstrate an extensive knowledge and understanding of the private sector in Cote d’Ivoire.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English.
  • Excellent IT skills with ability in MS Office suite applications e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
  • Good interpersonal and networking skills and comfortable dealing with high level officials and contacts.
  • Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines.
  • Resourcefulness in solving problems; flexible team player.
  • Strong organizational skills and good attention to detail.
  • Ability to set and meet own priorities and work with limited supervision.
  • Professionalism and sound judgment with a strong work ethic.

  • 2+ years of relevant experience.
  • Professional experience in extractive, energy, or infrastructure sectors would be an advantage.
  • Good knowledge and understanding of the AfDB would be an advantage.
  • Prior experience of working with the UK Government, a diplomatic mission or international organisation.
19 October 2017
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term
24 months
Africa
Côte d'Ivoire
Abidjan
British Embassy
1
XOF 1,124,855
2 January 2018

Department for International Trade training.

Flexible hours subject to agreement with line management.

Not suitable for remote working.

 

  • Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
  • Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy in Abidjan are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Ivory Coast.
  • 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.
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
  1. Obtain the relevant permit
  2. Pay fees for the permit
  3. Make arrangements to relocate
  4. Meet the costs to relocation
  • The British Embassy does not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
  • Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
  • Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
  • The British Embassy will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
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This opportunity is closed to applications.