View Vacancy - Prosperity and Projects Officer

Main purpose of job:

To promote UK economic and business interests in Guatemala and Honduras by working in projects which will improve the business climate and compliance with international standards on Human Rights.  To promote the education and English language sectors in Guatemala and Honduras, working with key local institutions and UK companies interested in the Central American market or already operating. Manage the Embassy’s project portfolio.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Responsible for conducting policy analysis and providing guidance for the design, implementation, management and monitoring of key activities in support of the development of the business and human rights agenda in Guatemala and Honduras (25%)

1. Meet with business actors in Guatemala and Honduras as to identify the countries’ key economic priorities and its links with the human rights agenda.
2. Lead the human rights approach to formulate improvements in the Guatemala/Honduras business environment working closely with the private sector.
3. Become the main contact person to develop and follow up projects related to the United Kingdom’s Prosperity Fund and ensure proper implementation in Guatemala and Honduras.
4. Prepare reports on the meetings attended and suggest a plan of action for the Embassy in both countries.

• Lead the United Kingdom’s educational business portfolio in Guatemala/Honduras and management of the UK’s scholarships programme (30%)

1. Lead the Chevening Scholarships Programme for Guatemala and Honduras, and activate the Chevening Alumni Association.
2. Organize/attend meetings to promote the UK’s education opportunities, liaising with partners such as universities and colleges, working with regional prosperity team in Panama City.
3. Design a strategy to respond to individual enquiries from UK education companies by liaising with UK regional business hubs in Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico, and follow up on settlement actions.
4. Lead on the promotion of the English language in Guatemala and Honduras by working closely with key educational suppliers in the UK.

• Follow up on the implementation of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) and take forward plans to increase their visibility and opportunities of collaboration with the business network in Guatemala (30%)

1. Lead in the run up of the operability of the British Chamber of Commerce by following up in the constitution processes and commitment from business members.
2. Work with the BCC to develop a strategy that links the Embassy’s global business objectives.
3. Promote joint activities between the BCC and the Embassy to raise the UK’s economic profile in light of the process of leaving the EU.

• Developing a sector-specific database of education contacts in Guatemala and Honduras and contribute to the greater business database of the Embassy (5%)

1. Monthly review of database in search for additions/exclusion of contacts (feed information to Support Officer and liaise with Trade Officer).
2. Work with regional prosperity team in Panama City.

• Management of the Embassy’s project portfolio for Guatemala and Honduras (10%)

1. Comply with London’s requirements in regard to project administration and forecasting requests.
2. Liaise with the Embassy’s Corporate Services Team to feed in finance data in the proper electronic applications.
3. Empower the political team to follow up with specific guidance and take ownership of proper individual projects implementation.

• Graduate in Economics / Business Administration preferred.
• Broad knowledge of Guatemala’s economic structure, legislation and main actors.
• Extensive knowledge of Guatemalan’s main productive sectors, economic players and Central American regional integration.
• Experience working in the education sector.
• Able to travel within Guatemala and abroad.
• Knowledge about Honduras economic sectors and development initiatives.
• Excellent communications skills and self-confidence, professional competence, maturity and ability to deal with a broad range of mid-level governmental/private sector officials.
• Capacity to work in groups, willing to work under pressure and able to reach tight deadlines.
• Fluent Spanish and English are required for oral and written technical reports and presentations.