View Vacancy - Welsh Government Senior Business Development Manager

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The Welsh Government

The British Embassy Doha is part of a worldwide network that represents political, economic, security and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Welsh Government Senior Business Development Manager, Grade C4 (L).

Objective:

The Welsh Government opened an office in the British Embassy in Doha in 2018. The office reports into the Welsh Government’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) office in Dubai.  The primary purpose of the post is to provide support to the Regional Manager MENA in delivering Welsh Government objectives in Qatar and other GCC regions when appropriate.

Business, academic and cultural links between Wales and Qatar have strengthened and broadened since the opening of the office in Doha and we are keen for them to continue to grow.  This post offers an exciting opportunity to deliver tangible economic benefits to Wales while working in the dynamic Qatar business environment.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

MENA is a key trade and investment market for Wales. As a result, this area of work forms a large part of this role’s activities.  The jobholder will take a representational role for Wales at key events to further develop the profile of Wales and support the delivery of inward investment and trade opportunities for Wales.

The main aims of the Qatar office are to:

Deliver the ambitions of the published Welsh Government International Strategy, which highlight the need to:

  • Raise the profile of Wales and Welsh business interests in the Qatar region;
  • Seek out and facilitate increased trade and investment links;
  • Support the development and internationalisation of the Welsh economy, including in the fields of Education and Training, Tourism, Food and Culture;
  • Maintain effective working relations with the Department for International Trade (DIT) and other UK Government officials in Qatar.

In delivering the above aims, the successful candidate will work closely with the Regional Manager who is based in Dubai as well as a wide range of Welsh Government colleagues in particular International Relations and Trade & Investment, DIT staff and representatives of Wales based companies/institutions and other partners within the region.

Key Tasks:

To support the Regional Manager with the implementation and delivery of the MENA business plan and the effective operation of the Doha office. This includes:

  • Regular interaction with Welsh Government colleagues based in Wales in relation to the planning and delivery of in-market activities such as trade missions and trade fairs, including meeting colleagues and clients when in-market and representing the Welsh Government on trade fair stands.
  • Regular interaction with DIT staff and staff of the other Devolved Administrations (DAs) throughout Qatar in relation to collaborating on mutually beneficial activities and opportunities that support specific Welsh companies.
  • Extensive working with a wide range of partners, both in Wales and in Qatar, to help deliver projects and activities contained in the MENA business plan.  These include Welsh Government colleagues (mostly in International Relations and T&I Sector teams), Universities Wales, Colleges Wales, Meat Promotion Wales, Wales based SMEs, Visit Wales, Visit Britain, Cardiff Airport, DIT, FCDO, other DAs, the Qatar British Business Forum, other British business groups, local business contacts, Welsh societies in MENA, hotels, local PR companies, etc.
  • Lead on all office administration, record keeping activity and finance/budget issues to ensure compliance with relevant Welsh Government/FCDO policies and procedures.  This includes the payment of office related invoices and reconciliation to appropriate budget lines on a monthly basis.
  • Provide first draft of monthly report and other government business related correspondence to the Regional Manager
  • Attend relevant business events in Qatar with a view to growing the network of useful contacts
  • Undertake short speaking engagements and deliver work related presentations as required by line management
  • Deputise for the Regional Manager as and when required and where appropriate.
  • Take part in all Embassy preparations for World Cup 2022 (WC22), and to contribute with all other members of staff to making the Embassy a great place to work.

To note: Due to the nature of this role and its position within a regional team the successful candidate will be required to travel within MENA and to Wales from time to time as agreed by line management.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

Key Competencies:

  • Seeing the Big Picture: Is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs. It is about focusing your contribution on the activities, which will meet Civil Service goals and deliver the greatest value. 
  • Leading and Communicating: Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It is about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.
  • Collaborating and Partnering: People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
  • Delivering at Pace: Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. It is about working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. 
  • At least two (2) years of experience in a business environment in Qatar and/or MENA region.
  • A good knowledge of Qatar/MENA Region and its business environment.
  • Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
  • Good communication and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to network with a range of stakeholders and the confidence to build business relationships at a senior level.
  • Excellent relationship development and management skills, capable of operating at all organisational levels. Experience of developing relationships and building influence with multiple stakeholders in public and private sectors. Recognises the importance of developing a strong professional network.
  • Must be a team player and be able to demonstrate ability to work within a small immediate team and a larger virtual team.
  • Able to demonstrate the ability to grasp the essential components of the Welsh economy, its priority sectors and the Welsh Government’s International Strategy.
  • Evidence of being a self-starter with the ability to juggle a broad range of tasks whilst maintaining a clear focus on delivery.
  • Well organised with previous experience of managing complex projects and handling budgets.
  • Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
  • Experience of working in a similar role for a Government or regional agency.
18 January 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
38
Middle East & North Africa
Qatar
Doha
British Embassy
1
QAR
24,372
1 March 2022

The Embassy offers a competitive remuneration package, including non-negotiable salary of QR 23,572 per calendar month and transportation allowance of QR 800 per calendar month, paid in arrears.

The contract will be for a full-time employment, on a fixed-term basis for two (2) years with a possibility of extension, subject to a six (6) months’ probation period.

No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

Conditioned working hours is 38 hours per week. Embassy working hours are 7.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 7.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. on Thursday. Due to the nature of the work, the jobholder should be flexible in their approach to hours worked as these will be dictated by operational needs and may involve working out-of-hours (including some evening work attending events).

The Embassy supports flexible working including working from home for some part of the working week. This flexibility will vary depending on the department’s commitments and requirements, hence the jobholder will be expected to be able to make last minute changes to their work plans and work location accordingly.

The Embassy has an active Continuous Professional Development Committee, and the whole of Post is committed to providing the time and resources for staff to develop professionally. On the job learning opportunity to develop sector knowledge across a number of key industrial sectors for Wales. Access to other L&D opportunities in line with FCDO and Welsh Government.  

Travel to the UK and within the MENA region may be required for training and logistical purposes.

Shortly after taking up post, the jobholder will be required to travel back to Wales for a week of learning, development and relationship building. In addition, following discussion with their line manager they will be able to build any specific learning & development activity into their annual Staff Appraisal Plan.

The successful candidate will need to commence security clearance procedures through the Embassy and will be required to have or obtain the appropriate security clearance before employment commences and maintain this throughout period of employment.

Eligibility:

Applicants must already reside in Qatar, have a valid residence permit and therefore hold the right to live and work there, including those either under spouse sponsorship or be able to transfer an existing sponsorship to the British Embassy.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates must complete the online application form and attach the following documents:

  1. A covering letter.
  2. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).

** (Your application must include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above in your online application form. Applications that are not complete will be rejected).

The closing date for applications will be 18 January 2022 by 23:55 Doha time.

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.

Due to the large amount of applications, the Embassy receives only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances, medical clearance and reference checks.


The British Embassy Doha is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Qatari 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.