View Vacancy - Senior Trade Officer, Defence and Security (CHEB24.121)

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 Business and Trade roles (DBT)
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

About the Embassy

 

The British Embassy, Berne is part of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s world-wide diplomatic network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas.

 

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) at the British Embassy in Berne is looking to hire a Senior Trade Officer to lead on promoting British exports to Switzerland & Liechtenstein in the advanced technology and defence sector.

 

The jobholder will lead business development into the Swiss & Liechtenstein market as well as identify market access barriers. Proven technical know-how and commercial delivery skills are required. Confident and competent interaction with senior decision makers in companies will be essential, along with the ability to achieve impact at public events and deliver effective promotional messages on UK strengths.

 

Roles and Responsibilities:

  • Provide competent support and advice to British companies wishing to enter the Swiss market with advanced tech and defence-related products and services;
  • Deliver against Department for Business and Trade’s delivery objectives;
  • Build strategic relationships with organisations (private and public), that increase British trade by identifying export opportunities and future economic partnerships;
  • Lead on the development of effective partnerships and networks with Swiss & Liechtenstein stakeholders such as industry, investors, academia and organisational bodies;
  • Collaborate with colleagues from across the UK Government, in particular the Department for Business and Trade, as well as national and regional Swiss and Liechtenstein entities;
  • Organise key events and activities which support British trade work in Switzerland & Liechtenstein including webinars, roadshows, trade missions and Ministerial visits;
  • Analyse and report sector related as well as economic developments in Switzerland & Liechtenstein.
  • Fluent written and spoken English as well as German (minimum level required C1 under the CEFRL* or equivalent);
  • Knowledge and understanding of Swiss business (particularly in defence, security or tech sectors);
  • Experienced networker with the ability to establish relationships in Switzerland & Liechtenstein;
  • Fast learning, self-starter who can demonstrate initiative, resilience, and project management skills;
  • Good communicator, written and verbal;
  • A team player with a collaborative approach who can work successfully within a geography and ‘virtual team’ to achieve common objectives.
  • Enterprising business track record;
  • An understanding of trade policy / market access barriers / trade related regulation;
  • Experience of working in an international trade promotion environment;
  • Analytical skills acquired in an international market context with a consultative sales approach to achieving results.
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
21 April 2024
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
40 hours per week
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Switzerland
Berne
British Embassy
1
CHF
8,428.00 (gross)
1 June 2024

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, permanent position. Probationary period of 3 month, during which either party may bring the agreement to an end, in writing with 2-month’ notice.

The final appointment and commencement will be dependent upon successful security clearance and subject to a professional background check.

Please note that the successful candidate will need to arrange and pay for their own travel and accommodation, as well as any other living costs and are subject to Swiss taxes.

FCDO is committed to continual learning and development throughout the year both directly at the Embassy and virtually through the FCDO International Academy. There will be opportunities to attend training, lectures etc. on the job.

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 UK Mission will not be able to meet any cost during the Recruitment and Selection process, Security Check nor the costs connected with relocation.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  levels  please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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.