View Vacancy - CPK - Senior Trade and Investment Officer (FPST), B3 maternity cover - Internal vacancy

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Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

Based in the Embassy in Beijng, this is a exciting opportunity to provide maternity cover as Senior Trade and Investment Officer in the DIT Financial and Professional Services Team for a fixed term till 30 March 2019. This role is at the heart of UK-China trade and investment in one of the most exciting/fast-moving sectors in our bilateral relationship – you will have the opportunity to gain exposure to industry contacts at the highest levels, as well as engage with senior UK/Chinese Government counterparts.

You will support the team and senior leads in Beijing across banking, capital markets, insurance, and asset management and will play a key role in helping to advance the trade and investment ambitions articulated in the Department for International Trade (DIT) Regional Trade Plan for the China and Hong Kong region:

  • Objective 1 - Driving and inspiring UK exports to China, significantly increasing the UK market share of China's goods imports, and more than double the value of UK services exports.
  • Objective 2 Consistent trade policy engagement with China to achieve incremental market access, mitigate business risk and prepare for future trade deals
  • Objective 3 - Broadening and deepening the UK-China investment partnership, positioning the UK as the top European destination for Chinese investment and providing strong support for UK investors.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) was established by the Prime Minister in July 2016 to integrate and elevate the Trade agenda; help secure a better deal for the UK as it negotiates a successful exit from the EU; and, establish new relationships with other countries around the globe. Led by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for China and Hong Kong we are one of nine global regions and part of an overseas network that operates in 108 countries. The largest DIT overseas network in the world, with 200 staff across six posts - the British Embassy in Beijing, plus Consulates in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the ‘One HM Government’ network in China and Hong Kong, offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK--China relations.

Detail:

Following President Xi Jinping’s historic State Visit to the UK in October 2015, the UK and China are in a ‘golden era’ in bilateral relations. Further collaboration in the area of Financial Services is a priority for both sides, continuing our “unparalleled long-term partnership on financial services”. We are looking for an enthusiastic, diligent and collaborative team member to join us at this exciting time in UK-China relations.

China’s financial and professional services industry is rapidly evolving.  We are looking for someone who is able to think commercially about the opportunities for the UK in this exciting sector. The jobholder would ideally have, or quickly be able to develop, a sound understanding of China’s financial markets and the potential opportunities for UK industry.

The Embassy receives a significant number of senior Ministerial visits and the jobholder will play key role in developing activity/engagement plans for our financial services work, helping to effectively leverage these visits, and related events, to deliver meaningful commercial and policy outcomes.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Strategy development and implementation (45%): 

Actively contribute to the development of strategies for key financial services sectors, working closely with the teams in Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong. This includes:

o   Identifying and delivering high value opportunities for UK financial services exports to China.

o   Identify and deliver high value foreign direct investment (FDI) projects from China into the UK along the growth of Chinese firms with an existing presence in the UK.

o   Develop a programme of focused activity and engagement for the financial year, encompassing seminars, events and trade missions, to support export and investment goals, ensuring that these plans are executed to the highest standards

  • Relationship management and business development (30%):

Build and maintain strong relationships with key UK and Chinese companies and other commercial organisations (e.g. trade associations), as well as key policy-making authorities. Use those relationships to develop a deep understanding of firms’ business/international plans and priorities, and the regulatory and policy environment that they operate in. Continually and proactively expand professional network by organising and participating in relevant sector-focused events.

  • High-level visits and events (20%):

Contribute to the design and delivery of high-level visits between the UK and China by officials and Ministers, and the annual Chancellor-led Economic and Financial Dialogue. This includes involvement in visits planning, delivery, and follow-up work, working closely with the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) and other partners to ensure a “One Team” approach.

  • Learning and development (5%):

Commit to continual learning and personal/professional development, making full use of on-the-job opportunities to deepen sector knowledge and understanding of the UK capability and UK/China business environment, as well as formal training for skills and personal competences most relevant to the job.

  • Proven international experience, ideally including experience/understanding of the UK and/or Chinese financial services industry;
  • Excellent communication and networking skills;
  • Highly proficient in spoken and written English, native Mandarin
  • Evidence of commercial and policy acumen in relation to financial services;
  • Broad understanding of financial services industry, particularly the Asset Management and Insurance sub-sectors;
  • Well-organised, motivated and diligent;
  • Good IT skills, including Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and database management.
  • UK experience/exposure – living, studying or (particularly) working in the UK
  • Experience working with local/national Government
  • Relevant professional qualifications (qualified or part-qualified)
23 August 2018
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term
35
6 months
Asia Pacific
China
Beijing
British Embassy
1
CNY
17, 670 Chinese/ 24, 529 British
10 September 2018
30 March 2019

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross salary (before all deductions) is CNY 17, 670 per month for Chinese Nationals and an abated monthly salary of CNY 24, 529 per month for British Nationals and spouses/partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.

We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours per week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. 

For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Beijing are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

All applications must be received before 23:55 China Standard Time on 23 August 2018 

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

The successful candidate should be able to start as soon as possible.

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.