View Vacancy - ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICER B3(L) (01/18 ABI)

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.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Economic and Prosperity

Main purpose of job:

Support the Embassy work to strengthen the UK’s trade and investment relationship with Côte d’Ivoire through reporting on the economic and business environment and identify opportunities for the UK to support Côte d’Ivoire’s economic governance reforms and improve the business environment. Supporting the Department of International Trade (DIT) presence in Côte d’Ivoire to identify business opportunities and export wins for British companies. 

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Provide regular written analysis of country specific and regional issues of economic interest to UK government and UK companies, including key sectors for UK engagement on the trade and investment agenda and market analysis. In conjunction with colleagues from various UK government departments, take forward negotiations between the UK and Ivoirian governments on post-Brexit trade relations.
  • Analyse and report on macro and micro economic and legal developments in Côte d’Ivoire and their potential impact on UK exports and investment opportunities; monitor and report on the business and investment environment and economic reforms in Cote d’Ivoire. Identify obstacles for UK firms to do business in Côte d’Ivoire, propose strategies for the UK to address them and promote best commercial practice and support the strengthening of good economic governance.
  • Establish and cultivate a range of contacts including with the Ivoirian government, international institutions and the resident business community in order to identify commercial opportunities of interest to UK companies.  Maintain an awareness of the work of other international partners (e.g. France, China, IMF, World Bank, EU)  to inform the UK government and businesses with an informed overview of activity in economic sectors.
  • Establish and maintain strong working relations with international institutions and diplomatic missions in Abidjan including AfDB, World Bank, IMF, EIB and the EU to understand priorities, programmes and identify synergies and areas for cooperation with the British Government’s trade and investment agenda. Participate in the EU network of Economic and Commercial officers.
  • Support the UK’s Trade Advisor in Côte d’Ivoire to identify and promote new and potential future export opportunities for UK companies in Côte d’Ivoire, focusing particularly on opportunities in the mining and energy sectors; identify potential approaches to strengthen ties between the UK and Côte d’Ivoire, with a specific focus on the commercial relationship.
  • As necessary, to provide updates and briefing for UK companies on opportunities in Côte d’Ivoire, monitor public and institutional tenders and promote these to UK businesses.
  • Ensure that the British Government’s online resources and information relating to doing business in Côte d’Ivoire are kept updated.
  • Work closely with the UK’s prosperity, trade and investment and aid for trade network in Africa, and particularly West Africa, to identify and promote regional reform and development, commercial and / or investment opportunities; establish a network of relevant contacts in the Africa Department and wider FCO in London.
  • Subject to funding availability, bid for, coordinate and manage projects aimed at improving the business environment and promoting good governance in Cote d’Ivoire and across West Africa.
  • Support the wider work of the Embassy as required.    
  • Fluent French; English to a high standard (oral, listening and writing) with the ability to conduct meetings in French and English and write short reports in English.
  • Good knowledge and understanding of the Ivoirian public and private sectors.
  • Academic training or professional experience to demonstrate understanding of main subject areas of the role.
  • Strong IT skills.
  • Strong team-working and communication skills.

  • Experience in the private sector and/or with an international organisation.
  • Knowledge of the UK.
3 October 2018
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term
12 months
Africa
Côte d'Ivoire
Abidjan
British Embassy
1
XOF 1,124,855 plus XOF 25 000 Transport allowance
1 November 2018

Learning and development opportunities:

Opportunities for learning and development on the job through attendance at seminars, workshops and training courses.  There are opportunities to participate in regional conferences, job-shadowing and economic training courses.  There are further opportunities offered through the Regional Learning and Development Team in Accra. A wide range of e-learning courses are offered by the UK civil service and both on-line and traditional training is offered by the Foreign Office’s Diplomatic Academy.

Working patterns:

The British Embassy’s working hours are:

Monday-Thursday: 08:30-16:30

Friday: 08:30-14:30

Occasional evening events  which attract TOIL and scope for some travel in country.

Other information:

The British Embassy is a small but dynamic mission with a culture which encourages staff to be creative and take the initiative. Staff at the Embassy are expected to be team-players, willing to support colleagues in other areas of work as necessary. Good communication and team-working skills are highly desirable.

  • 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/High Commission 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.
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.