View Vacancy - Investment and Trade Officer (02/21 PL)

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)
Investment

Main purpose of job:

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the Trade Promotion and Negotiation organisation for the UK. We promote UK businesses overseas and attract foreign investment to our shores. We have 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries. Our aspiration is to address some of the challenges facing the UK, by helping British businesses to internationalise and grow overseas.

DIT Africa is one of the nine DIT global networks and is led by Emma Wade-Smith, HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa. The Africa Region is exciting and energising and UK firms have a strong presence here, making the UK the second largest investor on the continent. With some of the strongest growing economies in the world and booming population growth there are numerous more opportunities for UK firms; from tech start-ups in the West to infrastructure in the East. The Network’s role is to promote these opportunities and position the UK as the continent’s number one trading partner and investor.

DIT in Mauritius has team members based in Port Louis and is part of the British High Commission. You will be based in the Port Louis office and will report to the Country Director. You will also be a part of the wider Prosperity team comprising DIT , the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) colleagues, and  colleagues in offices across Africa  all working to improve economic development, investment and trade between the UK and Mauritius.

Main Purpose of Role

Working in support of Mauritius and the UK’s prosperity agenda and reporting to the Country Director, your objectives will be:

Investment 55%

  1. You will build, leverage and maintain client-facing relationships with important investors. A strong track record in client-facing functions, for example for an investment promotion agency or a consultancy, would be welcome amongst applicants.
  2. You will use the above relationships to help HMG in Mauritius to lobby for key reforms to the Mauritius business environment by identifying ‘high value investment barriers’.
  3. You will lead, build on and leverage the existing relationship DIT has with EDB (Economic Development Board) , supporting EDBs investment objectives and seeking new and innovative opportunities to realise those. You will also develop similar partnerships with other investment promotion agencies in Mauritius as well as other potential international investors

You will map key UK and international investors’ presence in Mauritius and manage key investor relationships, facilitate their dialogue with the relevant government departments, agencies and regulators.

Trade 45%

Your role will have three elements:

  • You will help build interest, offer advice and give support to British businesses seeking to trade in Mauritius
  • You will develop and manage a database of specialised sector knowledge, maintain relations with relevant public and private stakeholders and maintain channels to facilitate UK-Mauritius trade and investment.
  • Assist the DIT Country Director in delivering market targets, recording transactions, reporting activities and communicating within the wider DIT Africa network

The Key sectors of focus are currently Education, Financial & professional Services, Blue economy and Food and Drink. These sectors are subject to annual review.

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

Reporting to the DIT Country Director, you will help identify and deliver on opportunities for both new and existing UK business. Your routine will entail maintaining a network of operational level contacts across government and private sector, processing and sharing information with internal and external stake holders, monitoring procurement opportunities and proactively contacting British businesses, ensuring a good quality service is provided to them. Key responsibilities will include: 

  • Address ‘High Value Barriers’ in Mauritius that inhibit trade and investment
  • Produce good quality and detailed reports providing market insights and sector- or product-specific information and analysis, charging where appropriate.
  • Engagement with a multitude of  Government Departments, agencies, companies and other organisations, at all levels, to ensure maximum co-operation and understanding of their current needs and aspirations, engaging credibly to build strong and meaningful relationships with stakeholders and clients in the UK and Mauritius ; assist in planning and running trade missions comprising British businesses to Mauritius; 
  • Use the various DIT databases and platforms such as Data Hub and DMAS to ensure good recording and reporting of in-country interactions and activities undertaken by the country team working on trade and investment and market access barrier; 
  • Ensure timely and accurate reporting on economic and sector developments in Mauritius relevant to trade and working closely with One HMG partners in the High Commission to identify barriers to business.
  • As a member of Trade and Economic team promote the UK investment offer to the Mauritius market, including UK financial institutions such as CDC Group, UK Export Finance and PIDG.
  • Engaging directly with British companies who have expressed an interest in exploring exporting opportunities in Mauritius in order to help deliver their trade and investment aims as well as prioritise relationship building with those with greatest investment in jeopardy or in progress that UK Government can support.
  • Develop a plan and prioritise for key sectors and areas of opportunities for UK firms.
  • Collaborate with colleagues across the DIT Africa network and DIT HQ to maximise opportunities, increase the impact of inward missions and other visits from the UK.    
  • Support the DIT Country Director in preparing trade briefings, trade statistics, and pipeline of opportunities to include in annual business planning to reflect accurate benefits for the UK
  • Assist with VIP visits including responsibility for programme and logistics;   
  • Attending various after work events
  • Postgraduate degree and/or undergraduate degree and other professional qualification.
  • At least 3 years relevant professional work experience
  • Candidates should be able to demonstrate an extensive knowledge and understanding of the private sector in Mauritius
  • Proven client facing experience, for example with an investment promotion agency, professional services firm, but preferably in the investment sector in Mauritius
  • A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges.
  • Fluency in the language of business and investment
  • Excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills are critical for this role
  • Be a problem solver, show strong organizational skills and resourcefulness as a dependable team player.
  • Demonstrate strong work ethic, ability to work amid tight deadlines and good professional judgment.
  • Good interpersonal and networking skills and comfortable dealing with high-level officials and contacts.
  • Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines, Strong organizational skills, and good attention to detail
  • Level of language required: Fluent and working knowledge of French.  English to a high standard (oral, listening and writing) with the ability to conduct meetings and write reports in English
  • Experience of the following: business development, understanding issues and pursuing strategies together, investment appraisal, deal pipeline preparation, deal brokering, advisory
  • Excellent drafting skills
  • Leadership experience
  • Demonstrable knowledge of the UK, especially the UK regions
  • Experience of working with Mauritius Government, private sector and trade promotion agencies
  • Experience of working in organisations with a matrix management structure
23 June 2021
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
Africa
Mauritius
Port Louis
British High Commission
MUR 47, 267.65
1 October 2021

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

This role provides enormous opportunities to grow and develop given its leadership and cross-High Commission responsibilities. You will have access to the full suite of DIT and FCO learning and development opportunities including the FCO’s Diplomatic Academy, training in the UK, and will be encouraged to join DIT’s trade profession. We also provide regular in-house learning opportunities and are committed to supporting further academic opportunities. there are opportunities to participate in regional conferences, job-shadowing and economic training courses.

The successful applicant will be expected to complete the Certificate in UK Export Finance within the first three months of the role.

Working patterns:

The British High Commission’s working hours are:

Monday-Thursday: 0745-1545

Friday: 0745-1345

Occasional evening events which attract TOIL and scope for some travel in country.

The British High Commission is a small but dynamic mission with a culture which encourages staff to be creative and take the initiative. Staff at the High Commission are expected to be team-players, willing to support colleagues in other areas of work as necessary. Good communication and team-working skills are highly desirable

  • Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
  • The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
  • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Post are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Country.
  • 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.
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;

Obtain the relevant permit

Pay fees for the permit

Make arrangements to relocate

Meet the costs to relocation

  • The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
  • 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

  • Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
  • Please log into your profile on the application system on a regular basis to review the status of your application.
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This opportunity is closed to applications.