View Vacancy - BK - Strategic Partnership and Commercial Project Manager, C4(L)

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 (Operations and Corporate Services)
HR

Main purpose of job:

The British Embassy Bangkok is a large diplomatic mission of around 140 staff delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives including on prosperity, trade, security, open societies, consular services and law enforcement. The Embassy is a modern, diverse and inclusive employer where everyone contributes to the Embassy’s Values of Generosity, Ambition and Courage.

The UK Government’s Prosperity Programmes aim to promote economic growth in developing countries. As well as contributing to a reduction in poverty in recipient countries, we expect the reforms brought about by the programmes to create opportunities for international business including UK companies.

The Strategic Partnership and Commercial Project Manager will play a key role in broadening the partnerships and projects the Embassy has with the Thai Government to create new opportunities. You will focus in particular on working to realise trade, export and inward investment opportunities for UK businesses linked to our work in Thailand on sustainable development. However, you will also look at opportunities to promote the UK’s reputation, push forward elements of our sustainable development agenda and promote UK values (in particular sustainability, countering climate change, liberalisation of markets, working as a force for good in the world etc.).

The successful candidate will work with the sustainable development programme leads in the British Embassy in Bangkok and with members of the UK’s Department of International Trade (DIT) to develop innovative projects and activities to unlock these opportunities created by the Programmes’ activities for increased inward trade and investment for UK companies. The role is a mix of stakeholder engagement / management with some project management and a specific focus on identifying and creating commercial opportunities.

The focus will be on opportunities generated in four areas – Low Carbon, Economic Reform and Healthcare and Future Cities. The Low Carbon Programme will focus on green finance and energy efficiency. The Economic Reform Programme will work on the overarching business environment (e.g. regulatory reform, transparency) and fintech. Future Cities focus on infrastructure, transportation and flood resilience. In addition, you may pursue opportunities created by our wider work on economic reform.

The successful candidate will (i) build relationships and work closely with delivery partners, the Government of Thailand (at national and local levels), businesses and other external stakeholders to develop commercial opportunities; and (ii) lead on the detailed design, planning and delivery of a number of small projects, workshops and events to promote new opportunities across the four programmes.  You will lead on senior level relationships, so you will need excellent communication and influencing skills.

You will coordinate with other Embassies in the region – in particular Singapore - and government colleagues in the UK. You will also draw expertise from policy officers and communications officers in the Embassy.

This is a challenging and exciting opportunity to play an influential role in high-profile and strategic development initiatives in Thailand intended to have a positive impact on economic development and trade, as well as strengthen the relationship between the UK and Thailand.

The post will be based in the British Embassy in Bangkok, which is Sathorn.  

We are currently piloting hybrid working (some time working in the office, some time working from home) as we transition back to normal working practices, while ensuring the health and safety of our staff. You will be expected to spend some time out of the office, engaging with partners and stakeholders; some time in the office; and will be able to have the flexibility to work from home. If the context of the pandemic changes, the proportion of time spent at home / in office / in external engagements may change.

This role has been in place for several years now. As the UK government is currently conducting its 5 yearly budgeting process – which impacts on staffing at the Embassy – we cannot yet guarantee that the position will continue beyond 31 March 2022, though we are seeking to extend it.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

We are looking for a pro-active, engaged individual with a passion for delivery. The job holder will have three main responsibilities which will generate commercial benefits: liaison with DIT and Prosperity colleagues; stakeholder engagement and outreach; and project delivery.

Lead on sustainable development project work in Thailand which is not directly related to development and support regional co-ordination on these issues (40%)

  • Lead on this for the UK Government in Thailand, working closing with Department for International Trade and our Economic and Prosperity Team colleagues.
  • Identify and promote commercial and broader opportunities in the low carbon energy, financial services, health and future cities spheres, to expand markets for UK trade and investment and promote UK values and reputation.
  • Collaborate with the Department of International Trade (DIT) colleagues at Post and in London to unlock opportunities for increased inward trade and investment for UK firms, and track UK response to the opportunities.

Project delivery (40%)

  • Lead on the design, planning and delivery of projects and trade missions in support of our sustainable development portfolio, promoting UK expertise, creating commercial opportunities for UK firms and strengthening our relationships with key strategic partners.
  • In addition the role will be the primary point of contact between DIT and our external partners in delivering outsourced project work.

Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach (20%)

  • Build and maintain relationships with Government of Thailand interlocutors responsible for programme priority areas, in order to identify and develop commercial and broader opportunities generated by the programmes – in collaboration with DIT, FCDO policy and Programme leads.
  • Conduct regular outreach to private sector and business associations across country, in order to identify and develop commercial awareness, and evaluate and publish opportunities generated by the programmes – in collaboration with Programme leads and DIT.
  • Work with trade bodies in country and the UK on events to increase UK awareness of commercial opportunities and promote UK expertise in relevant sectors.

Other information

  • Some evening and weekend work is required on occasion. Embassy Standard Terms and Conditions apply and provide for time outside of working hours to be compensated with any accrued time being taken later.
  • The role will involve travel within country and, potentially, in the region or to the UK. A willingness and ability to travel is required.
  • In times of peak operation demand, work flexibly within the section and wider Embassy.
  • The Embassy will offer support to any successful candidate to obtain the relevant work permission for Thailand, please note that we will need to comply with current immigration regulations around entry permits and visas.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

 Line Management; N/A

You will oversee a range of small value projects (£70,000 or less each).

  • Fluent written and spoken English and Thai;
  • Graduate with a university degree relevant to the job or equivalent experience and at least 5 years experience of working in a relevant role such as sales, management, marketing, trade promotion, business development or international relations;
  • Strong sector knowledge relevant to the roles, e.g. low carbon, green finance, fintech, health and smart cities;
  • Excellent communication and influencing skills including in giving presentations to external audiences;
  • Events and project management skills and experience delivering results against deadlines/targets;
  • A proven track record of successful relationship management with high-level stakeholders and international clients;
  • Strong knowledge in IT applications and Microsoft;
  • Evidence of self-motivation, professionalism and the ability to work under minimal supervision;
  • Evidence of adaptability and ability to prioritise against competing, challenging tasking;
  • A flexible and creative problem-solver, able to come up with innovative solutions to complex challenges;
  • Corporate Business Development, Sales or Marketing experience;
  • Familiarity with the UK is not required, but would be an advantage;
  • Additional technical qualifications relating to low carbon energy, fintech, health, green finance, urban planning;
  • Local knowledge and network with relevant stakeholders;
  • Experience of dealing with government;
  • Experience of working with international delivery partners and governments;
  • Market research and analysis experience.
24 October 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
36
Asia Pacific
Thailand
Bangkok
British Embassy
1
THB
THB 101,719 per month
8 December 2021
31 March 2022

The role being advertised is a fixed-term contract to 31 March 2022 in Bangkok and and will be extended subject to performance and availability of funding.

We are looking for a candidate who can preferably start ASAP

The British Embassy offers a competitive compensation package including a guaranteed 13th month pay, 20 days paid annual leave (calculated on a pro-rata basis if you join after 1 January), extensive medical insurance and access to a guaranteed 5 days of learning opportunities a year.

Job specifications and descriptions within the Embassy may be subject to change in the coming months as the Embassy undergoes wider structural changes.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed): 

We encourage all staff to develop their capabilities, through both formal training courses and informal opportunities such as job-shadowing, coaching and on-the-job training. All staff are encouraged to share their skills and experience with colleagues, through informal training sessions or coaching/mentoring. We have an active L&D committee who organise a varied programme of learning for all staff.

All staff are eligible for 5 Learning and Development days a year.

Working patterns: 

This is a full time role - 36 hours/week, Monday to Friday. The Embassy has a flexible working policy and is committed to offering flexible working patterns balanced with the operational requirements of the role. The Embassy has processes in place to support remote working patterns.  We encourage applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly.  

In crisis/emergency situations you may need to work as required to support the Embassy response, sometimes on a shift pattern working which may result in unsociable hours and/or weekend working.

As an inclusive employer we are happy to discuss alternative working patterns at interview or at the point of any job offer.

Other conditions:

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. 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. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.

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.

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.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

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, 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.

British Embassy Bangkok’s Vision and Values:

VISION: What do we want to build?

A better, safer, more prosperous world for Britons and Thais alike.

MISSION: How will we achieve this?

By championing UK values and delivering tangible benefits to individuals, businesses and society: through quality service, effective partnerships and local expertise.

VALUES: that underpin our work

Courage: In our approach to our work: supporting innovation, creativity and taking calculated risks in solving problems; encouraging challenge and welcoming diverse perspectives; honesty in acknowledging and learning from mistakes.

Ambition: In the challenge we set ourselves: Striving to be excellent in the quality of service we deliver; inspiring our teams, colleagues, customers and stakeholders; passionate about our purpose.

Generosity: Of spirit: kindness in our daily actions and conversations; openness to differing cultures, ideas and opinions; understanding of differing styles and honest mistakes to build a culture of support.

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.