View Vacancy - SH - DIT Head of Banking & Capital Markets, HEO

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)
DIT

Main purpose of job:

The Department for International Trade (DIT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DIT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender. 

This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade (DIT) as Head of Banking and Capital Markets for DIT China and Hong Kong. Our aim is to promote UK trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DIT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to the success of the UK's trade goals.

DIT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes UK trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, 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, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c.190 staff across six posts - Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.

Detail:

This is a fascinating job in an energetic, fun, cross-China team comprising both British and Chinese staff working at the front line of China’s financial services industry.

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Financial and Professional Services DIT in Shanghai, the job holder will be required to support engagement with firms across the two sectors in both Shanghai and the UK, international representative bodies, and leading analysts in the field. In this task you will work closely with the DIT financial services teams based in Beijing and Guangzhou, and especially with the Head of Banking & Financial Policy in Beijing. 

In this role you will lead the team’s work to build a strong network of relationships with commercial contacts in Shanghai and with officials in the Shanghai government and regulators. You will need to be able to leverage those networks to achieve quantifiable commercial outcomes, ensuring bilateral investment is promoted and secured through: identifying opportunities to deepen bilateral commercial relationships; deliver strategic initiatives to develop deepen financial services connections between both countries; arranging meetings with the regulators for senior visitors and Embassy officials; leading on developing visit programmes for senior visitors; supporting bilateral workshops, conferences and other events that seek to further bilateral trade; drafting Ministerial briefing as well as drafting sectoral updates on China’s markets.

Post-holders need to build on a strong understanding of issues affecting the banking & capital markets sector in China, and the opportunities in Shanghai specifically leveraging its status as a Free Trade Zone, as well as other cities in Easter China. You will need to be able to communicate this to a British audience, and be able to articulate what this means for UK business interests in the region in order to support UK firms to increase their exports to China, and also to secure investment to the UK from Chinese firms. You will need to be able to demonstrate an understanding of how the UK can best share expertise to influence policy and support the Chinese government to develop an open, efficient and sustainable financial system. 

Strong written and oral English skills are essential.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Stakeholder management and ensuring commercial outcomes (65%):


The post-holder will establish, develop and maintain a network of key contacts in the Chinese financial sector, helping firms in both countries deliver quantifiable commercial outcomes. They will also be instrumental in supporting initiatives to promote liberalisation of China’s financial services market to help increase UK financial services exports to China and encourage Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Chinese firms into the UK.

Sectoral analysis (20%): 

Accurate, timely and well-written reporting (in English) on developments in China’s markets, as well as delivering verbal briefings (in English) to visiting UK ministers and business leaders. Customers for this analysis include UK business, internal DIT stakeholders and key partners in HM Treasury, the Bank of England, the Foreign Office and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. 


Inward visits and events (10%):


Leading on and delivering successful visits (offline/online) to Shanghai by UK government ministers, senior officials and business delegations. To do this you must be able to develop a strong network of contacts within the Chinese commercial sector, government and other organisations such as think tanks, universities, and international organisations in Beijing.  You will be expected to operate with considerable autonomy.

For the highest-level visits (including the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister), you will support more senior members of the team.  This requires a willingness to get stuck-in and support the wider team during particularly busy periods.

Corporate Contribution (5%):


Play an active role in embedding the ‘DIT Spirit’ by identifying and progressing opportunities to promote the department’s values of being Expert, Engaged, Enterprising and Inclusive. Build capacity and share expertise with colleagues across the network. 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

Line management responsibility for 1xB3L officer.

  • The job-holder will be expected to interact directly with seniors including the Ambassador, UK diplomats across China and government officials in the UK and China, as well as key contacts in financial services.
  • Previous experience of communicating clearly and concisely in English is essential, including the ability to explain technical terms and processes to a non-technical audience. 
  • Applicants should have a strong understanding of the economy of China, and in particular policy and/or commercial understanding of recent developments in China’s banking and capital markets.

Language requirements: 

Language: English

Level of language required:  Excellent/Highly Proficient  

Language: Mandarin

Level of language required: Independent/Good 

  • Degree or equivalent qualification in economics or finance. Previous experience working in banking or with government on economic and financial issues.
  • Fluent Mandarin is desirable.  
  • Strong data collecting and analysing skills.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
16 December 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
24 months
Asia Pacific
China
Shanghai
British Consulate General
1
CNY
Chinese: CNY 26,561 ; British: CNY 34,606
1 April 2023

This position is being advertised as a 24 months fixed term position in Shanghai.

We offer a competitive package which includes –

  • Gross monthly salary (before all deductions) of CNY 26,561 for Chinese Nationals paid in 13 month instalments and an abated monthly salary of CNY 34,606 per month for British Nationals and spouses/partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria;
  • Insurance plans such as social and housing fund (Chinese Nationals), commercial insurance package including accidental, life, medical and business travel insurance
    22 days annual leave entitlement in pro-rata which increases by 0.5 per full calendar year worked up to maximum of 25 days.
  • We offer different types of compulsory leave in accordance to Chinese law, e.g. Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Marriage Leave, Parental leave, etc.
  • In addition to the above compulsory leave, we also offer other types of leaves with pay e.g. Study Leave, Volunteering Leave to support staff who undertakes volunteering activities, Special Paid Leave to deal with emergencies involving a close family member, and more.
  • Employee Assistance Programme which is a confidential service providing help, support and information to staff to resolve and manage situations causing concern whether at work or personal nature is available to staff 24/7.

There is plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and to establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their marketing and communications professionalism.

In addition, opportunities and activities include:

  • Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc
  • Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management,  interpretation, presentation skills, effective remote working and trade policy.
  • Opportunities for job shadowing across the network
  • An individual bid fund providing funding to support more tailored learning and development needs. 


Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Consulate General Shanghai are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. 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. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen. 

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. 

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

REMINDER: 

Applicants are required to fill out the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage so please ensure you provide information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed based on the behaviours listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.

Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

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.