View Vacancy - KL - Senior Trade Manager - Defence and Security, C4(L)
Main purpose of job:
This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade (DIT), responsible for securing UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment, and championing free trade.
Reporting to the DIT Deputy Country Director based in the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur, the job holder will develop and implement the Malaysia element of the Asia Pacific Defence and Security trade plan, delivering high value export wins, identifying and tackling market access barriers and promoting the UK’s Defence and Security offer.
This will involve working closely with UK Defence & Security Exports (UKDSE) in London, with the Defence Adviser and his team in the High Commission, and to some extent across our Asia Pacific network.
Roles and responsibilities:
Trade promotion
Proactively develop and maintain a strong knowledge of the Defence and Security market in Malaysia, including through productive relationships with local players, spotting forthcoming tenders and other opportunities, assessing market trends, challenges and competitors, and use this knowledge in one to one meetings, presentations and market research reports, to help UK players to export to and in the right circumstances invest in Malaysia.
Design and execute events and other activity, virtual/physical/hybrid, primarily in Malaysia which promotes UK capability and positions UK players to win business; and consider opportunities to link up with events or marcomms initiatives in other parts of the region.
Develop a sound understanding of UK capability in Defence and Security, working in partnership with the UKDSE team in London, and with England’s International Trade Advisors, and the export Teams within the Devolved Administrations for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as required.
Draft briefing, speeches and programmes for Ministers, other VIPs and senior officials travelling virtually or physically to Malaysia or the UK
Effective housekeeping including uploading evidence of services and interactions with key contacts to the Departmental Database, providing weekly/fortnightly updates of activity and progress to leaders in APAC and London, submitting accurate bids for funding and robust reporting of budgets.
Market Access and Trade policy
Monitor Malaysian government policy and the business environment, to address current challenges and anticipate new challenges, liaising with UK players to identify and tackle any short term or substantive barriers to exports and outward direct investment, advising and drafting on lobbying approaches.
Represent DIT/DSE in the 1HMG Xmission Tech/Cyber Working Group (and at other relevant Xmission fora as required) to unify strategic approach
Researching and reporting on the sector as required, to support the UK’s accession to the CPTPP.
Resources managed:
- No staff to line manage, but access to a limited budget for occasional travel, training and entertainment
- Knowledge of working with government and business in Malaysia
- Ability to conduct in-depth research and produce high quality materials against short deadlines
- Excellent communication, presentation and influencing (written/verbal) skills
- Ability to use the latest Microsoft Office package
- Knowledge of the Defence and Security sector in Malaysia
- Knowledge of government and business in UK, including the Defence and Security sector
- Knowledge of international trade, trade policy and finance
This is a fixed-term role until 31 March 2024.
An ongoing mix of formal and informal learning and development will be provided, following the 70-20-10 model; including an induction to DIT and the FCDO/British High Commission.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British High Commission are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
You must have the right to live and work in Malaysia. No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The British High Commission offers a competitive remuneration package, benefits, leave entitlement of 20 days per annum (calculated on pro rata basis) and a range of learning and development opportunities including courses, access to significant on line training materials and on the job learning and development opportunities.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to developing its staff, working hard to provide a comprehensive L&D offer. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the Diplomatic Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all the available opportunities.
The job-holder will be required to take some specific training courses related to their role. All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management.
There is a comprehensive L&D offer from the British High Commission, and from the Department for International Trade, supporting personal and career development. This comprises both formal and on-the-job training, mainly virtual but also physical where possible.
Working patterns:
The British High Commission (BHC) Malaysia supports and promotes flexible working. The standard working hours for the BHC are 8:00am to 4:30 pm. We are happy to offer a variety of flexible working patterns, including non-standard working hours, working remotely or working compressed hours. However, due to the nature of the role, there will be a requirement for occasional out of hours work. Time off in lieu can be offered to make up for out of hours work.
Please note that your application must be submitted before 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. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies 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.
Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.
To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
