View Vacancy - Senior Trade & Inward Investment Adviser

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Governor's Office
Department for International Trade (DIT)

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

We are looking for a dynamic, high-calibre colleague who will make a real difference to the UK-India Trade & FDI relationship. Indian companies currently invest more in the UK than the rest of Western Europe combined.  We need a colleague who will retain this top slot. You will be one of the senior members in Inward Investment Team and the Agri Tech team for the Department for International Trade (DIT) with the objective of identifying Indian companies who would like to set up in the UK and export opportunities for UK business.

Your role will be to :

On Investment :

  • Promote the UK as the preferred inward investment destination for Indian companies in the city of Hyderabad  (focussing on the Tier II cities in the region as well).
  • Encourage high value investments including through technology tie ups, as well as research and development and joint venture partnerships.
  • Act as virtual team member and work with the national co-ordinator for the Creative, Life Sciences and Tech sectors for FDI opportunities.

On Trade

  • lead on the delivery of  the Agri Tech  High Value Campaign plan in Southern India, supporting UK  Agri Tech businesses/institutions to win export orders in the region.
  • To liaise with senior management of Agri Tech companies in order to influence them to buy from the UK and with senior government officials in the state governments of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to lobby for UK commercial interests in the Agri Tech sector.
  • Develop a robust pipeline in the region that will help deliver the Agri Tech campaign trade targets.

You will act as the face of the British Government to Indian companies and manage senior-level relationships with key decision-makers in India’s leading corporate houses. You will develop and deliver a strong pipeline of current and future Indian globally-minded companies and support the wider DIT India effort across a range of corporate objectives. You will be supported with opportunities to get the right learning and development, career development and opportunities to travel. You will join a high-performing, hybrid team of supportive colleagues which is growing.  In summary a challenging position, with significant rewards for the right candidate. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

On Investment:

  • To promote the UK as the ideal investment destination for potential and existing Indian investors and to work with them to help them set up and further operations in the UK.
  • To ensure that annual investment targets for the Southern region of India are met and that a healthy pipeline of future investment projects is developed. You will be responsible for delivery against some challenging targets.
  • To quickly build solid links to, and work in partnership with, the UK Government’s  investment partners and multipliers in the UK (London and Partners, Local Enterprise Partnerships etc.)  to ensure potential investors  are provided with a seamless end-to-end service which consistently leads to investment successes in the UK.
  • To quickly pick up and deliver against the Department for International Trade (DIT)’s strategic investment priorities in the region. To support the Deputy High Commissioner, Deputy Head of Mission and Trade and Investment Cluster Managers to deliver on and refresh these priorities based on feedback. 

On Trade:

To deliver Agri Tech campaign plan in the region that contributes to targets including Export Wins, Export Opportunities while meeting / exceeding return on investment and customer satisfaction/quality scores; contribute to developing of Agri Tech sector strategy for Southern India; build high value pipeline of opportunities, connect UK companies to these and provide bespoke tactical support to get these deals over the line. Build and manage senior level relationships with Indian private Agri Tech businesses in order to influence them to buy from the UK and with state governments to lobby UK commercial interests. Help deliver sector trade missions to the region.

  • To organise events and other kinds of tested activity with partner organisations such as TiE, NASSCOM, CII, FICCI, etc, in order to develop a healthy pipeline of future investment projects and opportunities for UK PLC. 

WHAT WE DO:

Department of International Trade (DIT) works with UK based businesses to ensure their success in international markets through exports. We encourage and support overseas companies to look at India as the best place to set up or expand their business. Improving trade and investment links with India is a UK Government priority. The Indian Government is opening up major opportunities and there is a determination to see a major expansion in bilateral trade and investment.

This job is a senior position, reflecting a decision by DIT to create greater capacity within the team, enabling greater strategic direction and focus on individual sectors where significant opportunities exist for the UK. We are targeting these opportunities through strategic campaigns which are programmes of activity designed to unlock individual business / investment opportunities for the UK; our focus is on high value opportunities. We also support individual UK businesses with market access issues and Government lobbying. India has a lot of UK Ministerial/VIP attention and on average we host an incoming Minister/VIP every month.

The DIT team is a high-performing, hybrid team of supportive colleagues made up of UK-based and locally engaged staff totalling around 100 people, spread across nine cities in India.

WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU

DIT India

This Senior Trade & Investment Adviser position is crucial to the DIT India network, which in itself is growing.

The role is an excellent opportunity to play a key part in the British Government’s efforts to attract more high value Indian FDI into the UK & generate opportunities for UK PLC in India.  

The Challenge

The role is challenging, but the rewards we believe are absolutely worth it! You will hit the ground running, and immediately deliver against demanding annual trade and investment targets. He/she will need to identify major Indian companies who are looking to invest overseas or purchase goods from the UK and be comfortable engaging at senior levels with decision makers. Advising them on the value of FDI into the UK; and to then work with them to set up and ultimately expand their business there and seek out opportunities for UK PLC.

The person

Your network will already be significant- but will grow further by working with a wide range of senior level people both in the UK (including Ministers) and India to grow trade and investment between the UK and India.  The ability to influence, lobby and articulate key messages and to work in a team will be essential. The job will give the incumbent full exposure to the work of DIT. Your background will preferably include senior level engagement with Industry leaders in relevant fields and you will arrive with an excellent network of industry contacts in both the private sector and relevant trade associations. You will be able to engage credibly with senior (C-level) executives, on behalf of the UK, as well as with senior UK government figures including Ministers. 

Value, volume and future 

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in securing a significant rise in high value foreign direct investment (FDI) projects from major Indian companies into the UK, across all of the sectors. Investment wins will come both from Indian companies with an existing presence in the UK, and from companies who are new to the UK market.

In addition, you will be expected to grow the pipeline of potential investment projects likely to land in the UK over the next 1-3 years. And, where you find opportunities for UK goods and services to be sold into India, you will support these, connecting with the wider DIT network.


You will need to have an in-depth understanding of the Agri Tech sector both in India and the UK and a strong network on the ground, and use your good analytical skills to apply this to identifying significant market opportunities for UK business and then supporting them to turn these in to contracts.

You will need to be strategically aware to identify emerging opportunities in your sector, and to what is happening in the UK in your sectors and to emerging investment opportunities.

You will have strong interpersonal skills and be a credible team member, capable of gaining the team’s trust and respect - and doing so while working within a virtual team located across India.

You will have experience of developing productive relationships with senior decision makers in UK and Indian businesses and with stakeholders and partners, and of using these to deliver your objectives.

You will need to be collaborative and flexible and able to manage yourself and the demands on you.

Sector Coordinator  

You will be a sector co-ordinator, in a role which enhances the cross-sector coverage of the core FDI team in DIT. As a business development adviser, you will bring in-depth sector expertise, and you will be targeted with specific KPIs around high value investment successes (in the region of £1+ million). You will also be a team player, sharing ideas and best practice with core FDI team colleagues, and passing on leads where appropriate. 

Corporate

The role will require you to build peer-to-peer relationships with clients across the business functions of international strategy, business development, technology/R&D and government affairs; identify, define and match UK commercial and capability opportunities with the specific needs of Indian firms; and act as an advocate for your portfolio of Indian companies to ensure they get the support they need from the UK government network more widely. Whilst based in Hyderabad the role will contribute to addressing opportunities in the south of India and the successful candidate will be required to undertake limited travel in India, as well as to the UK on a limited basis – including for training.

Will need to develop a Key account management strategy and execute it to help build a rolling pipeline of sales in various aspects of Agri Tech. There will be a need to align the UK offerings to the various programmes being run by the Government of India. Will have to ensure delivery of targets including, Export Wins, Service Deliveries, quality, impact and satisfaction scores.

Your portfolio of companies may already be part of your existing network of industry contacts, or they may be new relationships that you will build and nurture – alongside senior British High Commission representatives, where appropriate – to secure higher value investment wins for the UK. The skill sets and experience which will be essential to this position are key account management, business development and field sales. These attributes will underpin the development of a pipeline of prospective and active companies who have the plans and propensity to set up in the UK or buy from the UK. You will be expected to maintain records of your engagements with companies, using DIT’s systems (some administrative support will be available), and will be subject to standard performance reporting mechanisms.
Your sector knowledge will enable you to spot opportunities to promote the UK as an investment destination with major Indian companies, and you will be able to identify the key attributes of the UK’s proposition and target your promotion of the UK accordingly.

 

  • Minimum of 5 years of relevant commercial/business experience.
  • An in-depth understanding of the sector and a strong network/ability to generate a strong network quickly in the sector are essential. You must have knowledge (or be prepared to learn quickly) the major players and factors influencing UK  Agri Tech exports. You will use your good analytical skills to apply this knowledge to identify significant export opportunities for UK business and then support them to turn these into export orders.
  • Strong analytical and problem skills to search out significant opportunities for UK business.
  • Tried and tested project management skills.

Excellent interpersonal, team working and people management skills. Experience of dealing with senior level decision makers in corporate organisations and state governments. You will need to show a solid track record of dealing with senior level decision makers in the business world.

 

  • We are looking for candidates who have experience of working overseas (ideally in the UK), or of managing overseas projects and investments.
  • Experience of working in the UK; knowledge of the business environment and of UK business related policies.
  • 2-3 years experience of working in the Agri Tech business in India or UK.
  • Experience of leading a team remotely. 
  • Experience of working in trade/export promotion.
10 July 2017
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Permanent
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
Hyderabad
British Deputy High Commission
1
INR
28 August 2017

For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Local Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply. For other than British High Commission candidates, Salary will be Rs. 80,924 per month together with a 12% provident fund and 6% superannuation fund.

Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with Rs 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family. 

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.

Around half of our work force is women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment. This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

Travel will be required – primarily within the AP/ Telangana Region of India, to metros and occasionally tier 2 cities, and occasionally to the UK.

To Apply:

  • Completed the Online Job Application Form
  • Attach a detailed CV
  • Appraisal form of last two years ( Internal candidates)

Please note :

  • Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.
  • The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

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.