View Vacancy - British Embassy Officer – Must work in Barranquilla
Main purpose of job:
This is a fascinating and multi-dimensional role that will allow the successful applicant exposure to the full range of British Embassy work in Barranquilla and the wider Caribbean region.
The jobholder will scope opportunities to strengthen a network of contacts across government, business and civil society to help support delivery of the Embassy’s objectives, act as a local specialist, report on key political developments, promote UK industry and identifying opportunities for UK businesses in the region, including managing a pipeline of high-value commercial opportunities (with support from the Embassy’s Department for International Trade [DIT] team) and working with local partners to identify areas in which the UK can support the development of an open, rules-based business environment that supports sustainable growth.
The jobholder will provide local support for visits by Embassy staff to Barranquilla and the Caribbean region, including programme design, meeting arrangements, etc.
The job holder will report to the DIT team at the British Embassy Colombia. Around 50% of the officer’s time will be spent on delivering on DIT objectives.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
- With support from the Embassy management team at the Embassy in Bogotá, the jobholder will scope opportunities for:
- Building and maintaining relations with key government and private sector stakeholders at different levels in Barranquilla and the Caribbean region
- Positioning the UK as a key commercial and economic partner in the region
- Supporting teams in Bogota to structure programmes with key stakeholders in Barranquilla and the Caribbean region. This includes supporting open calls for projects, organising visits from UK, providing expertise and guidance in negotiations, providing advice for decision making processes and conducting follow up to initiatives in the region
- Supporting high-level, Embassy and UK partners’ visits to Medellin on development, commercial and political work. This includes programme design, meeting arrangements, logistics, briefing writing, active participation during meetings and follow up on initiatives
- Reporting on key economic diplomacy/commercial activities every two weeks. Reporting on the political environment in the region every 6 months
- Promoting innovation, sustainable growth and good governance.
- Supporting the UK Overseas Development Assistance offer (e.g. Newton, Prosperity, International Climate and Conflict Stability & Security Funds). In many cases these funds serve to catalyse commercial opportunities for UK companies.
- Acting as a local specialist, providing advice to Embassy teams on contacts, meetings and opportunities
- Supporting delegations travelling from Barranquilla and the Caribbean region to the UK. This includes drafting the agenda and briefings, providing advice on meetings, following up on them and arranging logistics in the UK.
- Occasionally translating documents to and from English, writing formal letters and supporting the process to sign memorandums of understanding
Commercial:
- Identifying and developing a pipeline of high value opportunities for the UK businesses (particularly in the oil and gas/energy sector), with support from the DIT Colombia Team, in line with
- DIT high value campaign guidelines to support the priority sectors including infrastructure, the extractive industries, health and financial services.
- Understanding the business environment in order to be able to advice potential UK investors.
- Promoting UK expertise in order to secure business wins for UK companies.
- Providing follow up with UK companies engaged in programme activities in Barranquilla and the Caribbean region , helping them to secure new contracts and deliver export wins for the UK
Public Diplomacy:
- Representing the Embassy at key events in Barranquilla and the Caribbean region. Promoting the Embassy’s digital diplomacy strategy and supporting the clear communication of the Embassy’s key messages
Political:
- Supporting the Embassy maintain an influential network of political and business decision makers
- Reporting on key political developments in Barranquilla and the wider Caribbean region
Personal Learning and Development
- Actively participate in meetings and briefings of relevance to the role
- Identify and attend opportunities to improve existing skills and/or develop new ones
- Fulfil requirements of performance appraisal process, including setting a personal development plan
- Fully apply policies and guidelines as required by the Embassy
Essential on arrival:
- Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent)
- At least one year’s professional experience (or master’s degree)
- Understanding and knowledge of the key business and political contacts within Barranquilla and the Caribbean region
- An ability to develop, maintain and work through a strong network of contacts to deliver results
- A proven ability to communicate clear and confidently in public, to contacts of different levels
- Strong judgement and confident taking decisions without direct supervision
- Proven ability to work independently and prioritise in order to achieve objectives
- Proficient user of MS Office
Language requirements:
All candidates must be able to conduct business in both English (C1 level – CEF) and Spanish (C1 level CEF). Occasional requirement to help visitors with interpretation in meetings.
Desirable:
- Experience of working with or in the UK
- Experience or detailed knowledge of the Caribbean business environment and commercial opportunities, particularly in the extractive sector – knowledge or experience of the offshore oil and gas sector would be very useful
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
Opportunities for on-the-job learning from Embassy colleagues working in Colombia or in other countries, which can, be used to support less experienced staff. Options to undertake a range of online and face to face training courses across a variety of areas as part of the Embassy’s commitment to developing staff. Opportunities to attend events in Barranquilla and the Caribbean region in order to expand learning and expertise.
Please note that this role is not based out of a fixed office, owing to the emphasis on building strong networks on a daily basis with important organisations for the UK in Barranquilla and the Caribbean region . Instead, the jobholder will occupy office space in 2-3 different partner organisations in the city during each week. The jobholder may be required to work occasionally from home when necessary. The Embassy will provide all required computer and telephone equipment for remote working.
The successful applicant will need to work closely with colleagues at the Embassy in Bogotá and will be required to undertake travel within Colombia.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
