View Vacancy - VNM - Trade Policy Adviser - Agriculture and Agri-tech, C4(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

Main purpose of role:

The British Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City is looking for a proactive and engaged individual to lead on strengthening key elements of the UK-Vietnam trade relationship. This is a hugely exciting role in a priority region for UK government, working on a broad and varied trade portfolio at a critical time for the UK-Vietnam relationship.

Agriculture is a key priority within the UK-Vietnam relationship. Bilateral trade is set to continue increasing following the signing of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement in early 2021. Resolving market access barriers is a joint priority for the UK and Vietnam. In this role you will lead on key cross-cutting policy areas relating to agriculture and the FTA, including alcohol policy, timber standards, forest law enforcement, and Sanitary & Phytosanitary Standards. You will work closely with the Political and Development teams on wider policy issues relating to labour rights, environmental standards and international law, coordinating the UK in Vietnam network’s engagement with relevant Vietnamese authorities. You will work closely with UK Ministries including DIT, DEFRA and DFID to shape policy goals and outcomes.

You will also lead on the agri-tech sector for DIT Vietnam, a key sector for the UK. You will lead on the market access portfolio for a priority and complex UK export – alcohol – as well as leading on wider policy areas related to the UK-Vietnam FTA, including fishing and timber standards. You will develop a robust pipeline of trade opportunities in Vietnam for UK businesses and carry out marketing activities to promote UK expertise in the sector. You will work closely with the Trade Policy lead in Hanoi to build a consistent approach across the network.

The successful applicant will be based at the British Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City. You will need to travel to Hanoi on a regular basis to meet with key government contacts. You will need to work with and develop excellent working relationships with a wide range of contacts in government, business and other organisations in the sector. You will also make a positive contribution to the wider DIT and One-HMG team.

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

You’ll be responsible for:

  • Policy development relating to key cross-cutting priorities.
  • Strategic planning for UK-Vietnam engagement on agriculture policy.
  • Market access resolution for British agri-tech, food & beverage products;
  • Identifying trade and investment opportunities in agri-tech sector in Vietnam, especially advice on market entry following the implementation of the UK – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement;
  • Implementing critical changes in the UK’s arrangements for international trade in live animals and animal products.

Across these areas you will need to develop an in-depth knowledge of agriculture and the agritech sector and build relationships with key Vietnamese stakeholders and businesses to ensure that you are aware of the commercial opportunities available to British businesses.  You will manage key relationships with UK trade associations and businesses within the British supply chain who can respond to commercial opportunities as they arise, organising sector related activities and events, including inward/outward visits, trade missions and workshops and inward and outward VIP visit.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Line management responsibilities in HCMC

Essential on arrival:

  • Knowledge of law-making process in Vietnam;
  • Proactive self-starting approach to work with the ability to deliver effectively with limited day-to-day supervision in a fast paced environment;
  • Experience in working with the Vietnamese government;
  • IT proficiency, including Office and the ability to learn FCO applications/systems.
  • Knowledge of the agri-tech sector in the UK and in Vietnam.
3 May 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
39.5 gross
12 months
Asia Pacific
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
British Consulate General
1
VND
VND 53,809,569
29 June 2021
28 June 2022

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

The Consulate General is committed to being a learning and development organisation and encourages all staff to pursue continued learning and development in the workplace. We offer a supportive and friendly working environment where staff work to the values of: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.  Everyone is encouraged to take responsibility, be innovative and work together.

This is a full time post. Some flexible working arrangements are possible subject to discussion.

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

All applications must be received before 23:55 (Local Vietnam Time) on the day of the deadline indicated above.

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.

Please check the application centre regularly for any update on your application.

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.