View Vacancy - Trade & Investment Advisor - EO

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

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, experience-based segment and the behaviours and technical/ professional skills based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

Main purpose of job:

The UK Department for International Trade (DIT), operating from the British High Commission network, is looking to fill a vacancy in our trade & investment team at the British Deputy High Commission Chandigarh. The UK Department for International Trade objectives are to secure UK and global prosperity by promoting international trade and investment, and championing free trade. The UK and India are currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement.  UK – India economic relationship is strong with trade of over £18bn in 2020, supporting nearly half a million jobs. India is already the UK’s second largest source of investment in terms of number of projects. In 2022, UK and Indian businesses accounted for more than £1 bn in new investments and export deals in areas from software engineering to health, creating almost 11,000 jobs across the UK. This is an exciting time to join. 

This role will work towards two objective areas.

  • Trade: Support UK companies to export to India in the Agriculture, Agri-tech and Food & Drink sector cluster (50%)
  • Investment: Promoting the UK as an investment destination for potential and existing Indian investors in the region (50%). Focussed sectors: Information Technology, Hospitality, Engineering and Manufacturing, AgriTech, Fintech. 

Agriculture, Agri-tech and Food & Drink sector trade:

Agricultural technology (Agri-Tech) is a rapidly growing sector helping to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture which is more resilient to the vulnerabilities of climate change and supports the clean growth agenda. Food & Drink is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector and is central part of the UK -India trading relationship.  

The job holder will have to work on the three pillars: Commercial Opportunities, Market Development and Market Access in order to achieve this. You will bring with you, or demonstrate how you would quickly acquire, an in-depth knowledge of the Agriculture and Food & Drink sector, ideally both in the UK and India.  You will support a strategy based on this knowledge to turn the long-term potential of the sector into a pipeline of opportunities for UK business.  To do so, you will identify and build relationships within the sector and build a pipeline of validated projects for UK business, particularly large or high-value deals which would require UK government support or involvement to win.  You will then work with the DIT team in the UK and in other markets to bring UK companies to India and support them to win business, delivering towards the UK government’s commercial targets and wider trade objectives. You will also be expected to support the Senior Sector Manager (based in Chandigarh) and First Secretary/Agri Counsellor (based in New Delhi) with wider reporting and understanding of the Indian agricultural landscape. 

Key sub-sectors of interest:

Agriculture and Agri-tech: Precision Farming, Dairy Technologies, Animal Husbandry, Irrigation, Cold Storages and Food Processing

Food & Drink:  Healthy foods (gluten free, sugar free), Dairy products, Vegan products, Short breads and confectionery, Apples and alcoholic beverages – spirits and wine. 

Investment 

The job-holder will promote UK as ideal investment destination for potential and existing Indian investors from the region, working with them to help them set up or expand further operations in the UK. The role will be expected to ensure annual investment targets for the Chandigarh region are met and that a healthy pipeline of future investment projects is developed. The job holder will also be responsible for building solid links to, and working in partnership with, the UK Government’s investment partners and multipliers in the UK (London and Partners, Local Enterprise Partnerships etc.)  to ensure potential investors  are provided with seamless end-to-end service. 

Wider responsibilities will also include collaborating with colleagues to contribute to business plan(s), strategic priorities to deliver DIT high level objectives, and, organising events and other kinds of tested activity, using project management techniques, with partner organisations such as TiE, NASSCOM, CII, FICCI, etc, in order to deliver campaign plans.  

You will also be expected to assist and support the senior Inward Investment adviser and the team in effective delivery of VVIP, Ministerial, and Sector specialist’s etc. visits by organising meetings with new and existing investors both within the UK and India.

The British Deputy High Commission in Chandigarh is a small but friendly and high-performing team. The UK in India network has a strong L&D offer and culture aligned with the values of “Respect, Include, Excel.”  The job holder will need to be a self-starter and collaborator with the confidence to represent the British Deputy High Commission with external stakeholders. You will work with colleagues across the British High Commission network In India, UK Government colleagues, Indian Government, business and industry stakeholders. 

Roles and responsibilities:

Identify, validate and deliver a pipeline of high value projects and opportunities; plan and deliver activities to connect UK business to these opportunities and provide bespoke support to UK companies to win business.  In doing so, meet DIT’s internal targets for both Trade and Investment, strategic relationship management business wins, return on investment and customer satisfaction/quality.  With the wider team, build and manage senior level relationships with companies, government departments, trade associations, investment bodies and multipliers in the UK and Northern India

Trade

  • Research and Identify export opportunities for the UK companies, support UK companies to get access to these opportunities and win significant contracts in India.
  • Support overseas direct investments from UK companies in India
  • Work with colleagues and stakeholders to identify and resolve trade barriers being faced by UK companies;
  • Work in close coordination with various stakeholders such as the wider DIT and UK network in India, DIT teams in HQ, International Trade Advisers, senior-decision makers of Agriculture and Food & Drink companies in the UK and India, and various departments of Government at the State and Central levels to deliver DIT sector campaign and wider HMG objectives;

Inward Investment

  • Support and contribute to the delivery of the annual investment targets set for the Northern region of India and ensure that a healthy pipeline of future investment projects is developed through client –facing interactions, organising of events and activities.
  • Support the Senior Inward Investment adviser, in proactively working with industry bodies such as Nasscom, CII, TiE, FICCI etc. to generate leads and visibility for the UK brand.
  • To support the team in delivering successful events, of all scales from organising Round Table discussions to large key events for the year and to ensure timely delivery of tasks & activities within the allocated budget. 

Delegations and Ministerial Visits

  • Support UK business delegations visiting India and Indian business delegations visiting the UK by organising various events and meetings;
  • Support senior managers, including UK Ministers, HM Trade Commissioner and other senior management, providing them with high-quality briefing and advice with an aim to strengthen relationships with senior local contacts and further facilitate towards achieving the objectives of the team and DIT;
  • Lead and effectively deliver events and activities

Language requirements: 

Language:  Excellent written and spoken English is required; Spoken Hindi and Punjabi are desirable. 

Level of language required: Fluent

Qualifications:

A graduate/postgraduate degree or equivalent qualification. Candidates without the required educational qualifications but with exceptional practical experience will be considered. 

Essential:

  • 4-5 years of relevant commercial/business/ government experience.
  • Knowledge of the UK business market, investment offer and Indian company strengths and strategic plans will be an advantage.
  • Knowledge and experience in the corporate world in India.  Knowledge of FDI and key drivers behind overseas investment is key to this role.Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to develop a network and manage the relationship with senior decision makers in government and industry
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to search out significant opportunities for UK business.
  • Tried and tested project management skills
  • Excellent interpersonal, team working and people management skills 

Desirable:

  • An in-depth understanding of the trade and investment in the UK
  • Previous experience of working with an Indian company with operations in the UK and knowledge of the UK operation would be advantageous.
  • Experience of dealing with senior level decision makers in corporate organisations and state governments
  • Marketing and presentational skills
  • Experience of working in trade/export promotion
Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
12 July 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Permanent
40
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
Chandigarh
British Deputy High Commission
1
INR
INR 68,508 per month plus 12% provident fund and 6% Special Allowance/Superannuation Fund.
15 September 2022

SALARY PACKAGE:

BHC candidates, the Local BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC candidates, Basic Salary will be INR 68,508 per month plus 12% provident fund and 6% Special Allowance/Superannuation Fund. 

Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.

No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided. Notional tax will be deducted if you are not liable to pay local tax.

Please note - BHC does not deduct tax at source and employees are required to ensure that any requirements of local income-tax law are complied with in full. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg. Some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. 

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance. 

Around half of our work forces are women.  We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment. 

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCDO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best. 

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

To Apply: 

Please note applications without (a) and (b) will not be considered. 

a). Complete the Online Application Form 

b). Complete the Experience, Behaviour and Technical/ Professional skills based questions segment in the Online Application Form 

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered. 

We will accept only online applications by 12 July 2022 - 23:55 hours IST). 

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission. 

Please note - Provident Fund Transfer in and out from EPFO is not possible as BHC PF is managed by a private PF trust governed by Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. The staff still has the option to transfer out and in from a privately held PF trust which are not governed by EPFO. 

Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with. 

The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, medical, educational and professional. 

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

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.