View Vacancy - CPK - Private Secretary to HM Trade Commissioner for China, C4 (L)

This is a demanding, high profile role that sits right at the centre of the Department for International Trade (DIT) team in China. Working direct to, and closely with, Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for China (HMTC), you will help the DIT machine get the best from HMTC and HMTC to get the best from the DIT machine. In doing so, you will help advance the trade and investment ambitions articulated in the DIT Regional Trade Plan for the China and Hong Kong region, which are: 

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, operating in 108 countries, is helping to secure a better deal for the UK as it negotiates a successful exit from the EU. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes British trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving the economic well-being and stability of the UK, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs.

DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China. Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China and the Hong Kong SAR, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c185 staff across six posts - Beijing, plus Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK: China and Hong Kong SAR Government relations.

Detail:

As Private Secretary to Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner, you will work closely with the head of our trade agenda in the region, as well as DIT’s wider leadership team. This is not a junior role - you will be the eyes and ears for HMTC: managing the flow of information to-and-from HMTC; taking on a mix of discrete projects and sustained ownership of cross-cutting areas; and working closely with the sector teams, policy teams and stakeholders across the embassy. 

This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to cut their teeth in a high profile role, mixing operational delivery and policy thinking. You will gain exposure to a variety of work across the British Embassy Beijing and UK Government’s wider China network, and will work across the full range of trade and investment promotion and policy objectives in the region.

Roles and responsibilities:

Manage HMTC’s Private Office and information flow to/from HMTC:   (40%)

• Ensure smooth, efficient and effective running of HMTC’s office by managing the flow of information to and from HMTC. Ensure matters are prioritised on importance, deciding when to involve HMTC and when to delegate, commission or coordinate, so that decisions can be made in a timely fashion. You will represent HMTC as necessary when he is unable to attend meetings, capturing key information and ensuring follow-up of actions. Ensure all planned-for, as well as emergent demands, are handled professionally and efficiently – proactively engaging all relevant stakeholders to contribute and make policy or operational recommendations.
• Proactively lead and maintain relationships with HMTC’s key internal and external stakeholders, leveraging your network to support DIT objectives. You will build constructive relationships with senior and working-level colleagues across the DIT Mainland China and Hong Kong network (including sector teams; policy teams; operations, visits and marketing teams), engage colleagues from other government departments across the wider China network (including HM Ambassador’s and Deputy Head of Mission’s Offices, Consulates-Generals, Economics network, Political teams, Communications, Department for International Development), work with HMG partners in China in support of joint UK objectives (China Britain Business Council, British Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of British Industry). You will also build relationships with UK-based colleagues and stakeholders on commissions and discrete projects, particularly with DIT’s China Geographic Hub and UK-based private office colleagues, often acting as first point of contact for the engagement with relevant teams in DIT headquarters. You will deal with a full range of external contacts as required including British and Chinese companies, industry groups, and Chinese government contacts,
• Manage, inspire and maximise the use of HMTC’s Office Manager / PA to build a high-performing unit that works across internal and external stakeholders.

Drafting, briefing and quality-control:  (20%)

• Draft clear and concise written materials to a high quality including speeches, letters, diplomatic telegrams and briefings. You will combine your knowledge gained from working alongside HMTC with information, insight and statistics gathered from across DIT teams and the wider network to produce impactful materials fit for senior internal and external audiences in the UK and China.
• Work with teams across the network to ensure that HMTC is appropriately briefed and ready for the full range of engagements. Commission, coordinate and quality-control briefing (as necessary) from across the network for the full range of internal stakeholder engagement, visits, media interviews, and external meetings and events. You will also use your experience and knowledge of working at the centre of DIT to add big-picture thinking to briefing, identifying gaps and commissioning additional input as required.
• Work with teams in DIT and the wider network to identify key sectoral and policy themes, condensing relevant data and information, to create key messages for HMTC to use for internal and external consumption.

Coordinate HMTCs external activity:  (20%)

• In conjunction with HMTC’s Office Manager & PA, coordinate and lead on the planning and execution of the HMTC’s external activity. Support HMTC’s PA to ensure HMTC’s regular diary of external engagement supports DIT objectives across policy and sectoral spheres.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to develop programmes for HMTC’s domestic visits and trips back to the UK. Balance competing requests to help HMTC prioritise activity that delivers maximum impact against DIT objectives. You will also oversee logistics and briefing to ensure that HMTC is well prepared and able to operate at maximum capacity.
• Coordinate HMTC involvement in the busy programme of senior HMG visitors to China. You will work with visit leads, event teams, policy teams and UK-based private offices, to ensure HMTC is fully engaged on visits and able to leverage opportunities to deliver on DIT objectives.

Act as Secretariat to the DIT Senior Leadership Team (20%)

• Work with the Corporate Operations Directorate to set the agenda for senior trade and investment meetings.
• Attend monthly DIT Senior Leadership Team Performance Meetings and quarterly Trade Performance Boards, ensure information is prepared and circulated to attendees, and ensure accurate meeting minutes are captured and key messages promptly circulated to attendees and wider DIT / China Network teams as required.
• Keep abreast of weekly DIT activity, collect updates to prepare HMTC for engagement with the DIT Senior Leadership team, the Ambassador and the wider network, and share key information on HMTC office activity and priorities with the wider leadership team.

You will manage one member of staff who acts as overall Office Manager and PA to the HMTC. The role may require some occasional travel within China or to the UK. You will manage your own travel and subsistence expenditure in accordance with guidelines and under the advisement of your line manager.

• The ideal candidate will have relevant experience in China, in either a government (e.g. private office), private sector (e.g. trade and investment related), or non-government (e.g. policy) role.
• A proven track-record in report, briefing or speech writing.
• An ability to navigate, coordinate and collaborate across a large and complex organisation.
• An ability to balance competing demands, and deliver high-quality work under tight deadlines.
• An ability to work cross-culturally and flex communications styles to effectively engage both senior and working level contacts.