View Vacancy - Senior Trade Advisor (SVK20.423)

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

Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

The British Embassy in Bratislava is part of a network, representing British interests overseas. We are looking for a Senior Trade Advisor to join the Department for International Trade (DIT).

DIT is responsible for promoting British trade across the world. DIT Europe is led by Her Britannic Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC). HMTC Europe manages teams in 32 markets, helping UK-based businesses to export to Europe and encouraging the best European businesses to invest in the UK. The Europe Central team covers 10 markets in the region including in the Slovak republic. 

The jobholder will work closely with the Head of the DIT Team in Bratislava to work with small and medium-sized companies interested in entering the Slovak market. Much of this work will be responsive, answering enquiries received from companies or their local export promoters in the UK. You will then work with these companies to explain the characteristics of the market, research their market entry tactics and help them achieve success in exporting their goods and services.   You will be expected to have around 20 successful exporting projects per year, usually in sectors such as food & drink, consumer goods, education etc. Some of the work will involve working with regional contacts in the UK (“multipliers”) to promote the potential of the Slovak market.  

This is a fixed term appointment created to support UK exporters in the period following the UK’s departure from the EU Single Market and Customs Union at the end 2020.

Main responsibilities will include:

  • Working with UK companies to help them enter the Slovak market. Explaining the characteristics of the market. Carrying out research on behalf of companies to explain how they could enter the market.   Market introductions to connect UK companies with potential customers in Slovakia. Visiting and hosting companies, and conducting meetings with high-level business development decision makers;
  • Promoting Slovakia to multipliers in the UK – trade associations, regional export promoters and companies themselves – using webinars and some follow up in the form of roadshows and missions. Writing   export opportunities to alert UK companies of potential opportunities in the Slovak market. Colleagues in neighbouring markets (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Romania) perform similar services, so you will communicate with them regularly and coordinate your promotional work;
  • Most detailed export support work is a paid service, so you will have to administer the systems that commissions paid enquiry work and ensure that reports and completed on time.

  • Fluency in English (both oral and written, minimum C1 level*);
  • Fluency in Slovak (both oral and written);
  • A college/university level degree in a relevant area, preferably in economics or a related subject;   
  • At least 2-3 years of commercial experience in a client-facing business development and/or key account management role;
  • Strategic commercial and economic awareness;
  • Experience of working autonomously, as well as being part of an international team;
  • Experience of business development and exporting;
  • Market research and good analytical ability;
  • Knowledge of the business environment in Slovakia;
  • Ability to develop and maintain contacts in both the public and private sectors;
  • Positive, proactive attitude and ability to work in team;
  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Strong IT computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office and Internet.
  • Experience at working in a dispersed network and communicating across a virtual team;
  • Experience with Oracle systems and databases preferred.
8 November 2020
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
36.5
12 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Slovakia
Bratislava
British Embassy
1
EUR
1,872 gross
1 December 2020

This is a full-time position until 31 December 2021, with a probation period of 3 months.

The monthly salary for this position is € 1,872 gross, payable 13 times a year.

The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance.

All applicants should have the right to live and work in Slovakia. The British Embassy does not sponsor for work permits.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Slovakia are subject to terms and conditions of service according to Slovak Labour Law.

Visa / Passport requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Slovakia and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Additional requirements may become necessary after 31st December 2020.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  indicates Level C2 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.

Additional Information (due to Covid 19):

  • You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;

  • Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;

  • Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.

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.