View Vacancy - BK - Deputy Director, Department for International Trade (C5/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.
Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT

Thailand. Beautiful beaches, buzzing cities, friendly people, year round warm weather and amazing food. What’s not to love? But Thailand also has a vibrant and thriving economy ranging from centuries old crafts to modern technologies and from long established multi-nationals to micro-entrepreneurs.  The UK and Thailand have a strong trading relationship that dates back more than 400 years, and it is a trading relationship that continues to go from strength to strength.  With outstanding contacts at every level of the Thai government and business, we have unparalleled access to the most influential people in Thai society.  We use these contacts for the benefit of British businesses who are exporting a whole range of goods and services across the oceans. Tesco is the biggest British company in Thailand, with over 60,000 employees and OCS/PCS employs another 30,000 people.

You will essentially be the Chief Operating Officer for the Department of International Trade (DIT) in Thailand. You will support the increase of UK exports to Thailand and Thai inward investment to the UK. Your primary measure of success will be the value of contracts you and your team assist British companies to secure and the value of investment projects that you attract into the UK. You will also be responsible for corporate functions including business planing, finance and recruitment. 

We engender a one team approach across the Embassy, so at times we will ask you to undertake representational requirements, such as attending receptions on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, or support other departments in their work.

The jobholder is expected to provide day to day management of the DIT Thailand team with the support of the Director, as you work pro-actively with the DIT network in South-East Asia, all parts of the Embassy, the British Council, and Whitehall departments in order to:

  • Drive the team to assist companies to secure contracts (so-called export wins) in Thailand through close working with British companies, helping them export to Thailand
  • Encourage new and existing UK exporters to secure export wins in the Thai market through close co-operation with the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand, and members of the Thai-UK Business Leadership Council
  • Act as the Chief Operating Officer for the Department of International Trade in Thailand, managing all day to day and corporate service functions
  • Support new Thai inward investment into the UK through high level engagement with the major Thai corporations and business families, in particular through the Thai-UK Business Leadership Council
  • Rapidly develop a close relationship with our political, prosperity, communications, consular and visa teams, to ensure a joined up approach to our work across the Embassy
  • Address the major market access issues faced by UK companies doing business in Thailand and informally prepare the ground for any future bilateral free trade arrangements. The exact division of trade policy work between DIT and Prosperity teams is still being worked out, but in any case the jobholder will need to work closely with Prosperity team and other UK stakeholders on trade policy and market access/business environment issues
  •  Promote the UK as an innovative and creative partner, with a world class commercial offer that directly maps onto critical Thai requirements as Thailand upgrades its economy to a more knowledge-based model
  • Excellent written and spoken English
  • Has five (5) years of work experience in international trade, investment or a similar field
  • An experienced manager with proven skills in leading and managing a busy team. You will hold people to account for the delivery of their objectives, pro-actively provide guidance and coaching and ensure that your staff are empowered to deliver and will respect their autonomy in their work. 
  • Versatile, driven, focused, enthusiastic, determined and unflappable
  • Thrive when working under pressure, has a positive outlook, a natural charm and can fit in well to any social or work situation
  • IT proficiency – Using MS Office, Outlook and ability to learn FCO systems
  • Thai language skills would be an advantage
  • Related educational background would be an advantage
3 April 2018
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Permanent
36
Asia Pacific
Thailand
Bangkok
British Embassy
1
THB
177, 071
7 May 2018

The British Embassy offers a competitive remuneration package, including salary (will be abated for those not liable to tax), benefits, a leave entitlement, Health Insurance and full training. 

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. You must have or be able to obtain work authorisation in Thailand in order to apply. We're able to provide help in securing a visa to the successful candidate, however, any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant. 

All applications must be received before 23:55 on 03 April 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.


Reminder for existing Embassy staff who will be interested to apply:

Along with the completed online application form, candidates should upload their last two years End of Year Appraisals if applicable. If applicants have been employed for less than twelve months, they will need to provide permission from their Head of Section to apply and should attach this to their application. 

Guidance on completing competency based application forms and sitting Interviews can be found on the BE Website and also on the Civil Service Learning portal, Virtual Ashridge portal and Goodpractice.net (both accessed through the CSL). Staff are strongly advised to refer to these. 

We recommend all applicants to understand the Civil Service competences before applying for any role and in preparation for interviews. For more information, you can visit our website - https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-bangkok/about/recruitment. 



To check the status of your application, please log in to the system regularly. 

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.