View Vacancy - Trade & Investment Interns – Trade, Department for International Trade (FRA23.055)

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

The British Embassy in Paris is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas.

Why should you apply? 

An opportunity has arisen for fixed 6-month internships in the Department for International Trade (DIT) team at the British Embassy in Paris. Three internships are available from April to September 2023.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) promotes British trade and investment around the world; helps to build an appetite for British goods and services overseas; and works to break down barriers to trade and investment. The DIT team in France works from the British Embassy in Paris and from offices in Bordeaux and Lyon. Under the direction of the Deputy Director, the interns would join existing staff in a commercial team focused on providing practical support for UK exporters and French investors across different priority sectors.

These 6-month internships are an excellent introduction to how the UK government supports businesses that are internationalising and, more generally, to how the commercial section of an Embassy works. There will be opportunities to collaborate with colleagues working across the Embassy on issues such as economic relations, science & innovation and communications & outreach.

We are committed to providing all interns with substantive professional development, both in terms of exposure and impact. The work will be demanding and, to get the most from the opportunity, the interns would need to be flexible, committed self-starters able to juggle priorities and work on a wide variety of business sectors on tight timelines. In return, we offer real responsibility in a supportive, dynamic and collegial environment.

Interns are valued and full members of the team at the Department for International Trade, and we passionately believe that teams are most effective when they reflect the diversity of the people we serve – in France, the UK and beyond. We particularly encourage applications from candidates who may not have considered a career in economic and trade diplomacy before, perhaps from traditionally underrepresented socioeconomic backgrounds in France, and those who – while highly motivated by international trade – may incorrectly believe that their academic background or English language competence would make them unsuccessful in competing for these roles.

What you will be expected to achieve?

Interns will gain a combination of research; drafting and advisory skills; analytical and commercial skills, and delivery at pace of a balance of operational an project-based tasks. In particular:

  • Provision of tailored information and support to UK clients in a cross-section of sectors, including new exporters and companies new to the French market (50%)
  • Research into trade and investment trends, new opportunities across France; and prioritised industries and sectors (30%)
  • Planning and delivery of commercial events linked to the Europe Regional Trade Plan and established France Prosperity campaigns (20%)

  • Proficient English and French (B2 and above) - (both written and spoken for CEFR framework)
  • Excellent IT skills, with a focus on the suite of Microsoft Office products
  • A demonstrable interest in private enterprise, business or international trade – but not necessarily demonstrated through academia
  • Some experience in a client-facing role, or customer service experience
  • Some experience of working in a project environment or of juggling competing priorities, whether in a work or personal context
  • A motivated, flexible, committed self-starter
  • Excellent oral and written skills
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
12 February 2023
Internship
Intern
35
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
France
Paris
British Embassy
3
EUR
€1000
3 April 2023

At the beginning of your internship you should be able to provide with convention de stage provided by your university/higher education establishment and liability insurance to cover your period of internship at the British Embassy.

All appointments are subject to professional background checks, and a satisfactory security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to provide a copy of his/her passport or national identity card for all nationalities held, an up-to-date criminal record (casier judiciaire) for recent countries of residence (which can be obtained online at https://www.cjn.justice.gouv.fr/cjn/b3/eje20 ), two written proofs of address (utility invoices and/or bank statements) and two references.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in France are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local French employment law and FCDO guidance for Country Based Staff. The posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in France and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline” and accordingly to the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

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.

Please be advised that the UK Mission will not be able to meet any cost during the Recruitment and Selection process, Security Check nor the costs connected with relocation.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  levels  please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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.