View Vacancy - AUH/ DXB - International Markets Advisors x2 (EO)

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)

Are you interested in a career in international trade? Would you like to make an impact in a fast-moving, high-profile international environment? We are looking for two (2) enterprising team members with commercial and/or trade & investment experience to join the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) as an International Markets Advisor for the Export Support Service – International Markets (ESS-IM) at the British Embassies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

DBT is responsible for designing and implementing our future trading arrangements with other countries and fostering growth among UK businesses. We secure UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment and championing free trade. DBT divides the world into nine (9) regions, each led by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC). The Middle East and Pakistan (MEaP) region is led from Dubai and represents 11 markets with a team of some 120 staff.

The MEaP International Markets Team is MEaP’s universal entry point for UK business. The International Markets Advisor positions operate on a regional basis covering 11 markets, yet will be based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, with an expectation of some travel to the alternative post as per operational demands. 

The Setting:

  • Consumer goods, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Food & Drink, - you name it. UK companies and products are highly regarded and sought after in MEaP for their quality and innovation. With the support of DBT, thousands of UK companies discover new markets and opportunities every year. We are looking for a new team member to support these companies in MEaP.
  • As International Markets Advisor for the Export Support Service – International Markets (ESS IM) you will support high potential British exporters access and win business in MEaP. A core element of the role will be to deliver comprehensive practical support to UK companies. This will include researching market and sector information, identifying partners who can provide in-market representation and identifying clients
  • You will respond to enquiries from UK exporters on market potential, market representation and challenges companies may face in accessing MEaP. The job holder will communicate high value opportunities to UK exporters and will be expected to provide administrative support to the MEaP Enquiry Hub in the form of one of the following: triage management; tracking & reporting; marketing or partner registration management.
  • You will also seek to expand networks of commercial partners (e.g. agents, distributors and clients) in MEaP as well as private sector providers of commercial services. As with all DBT positions, there will be a focus on working collaboratively with colleagues across DBT UAE and DBT MEaP, including sector leads, as well as wider Embassy colleagues specialising in key areas of interest and International Trade Advisors in the UK regions.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Working with the Head of the MEaP Export Support Service, support the running and daily operations of the MEaP Enquiry Hub.
  • Review and respond to regional enquiries from small and medium sized UK exporters by providing guidance, information and insight as part of the IM ESS MEaP team.
  • Record, allocate, track and report SME interactions; facilitate consultative client discussions, collaborating with DBT MEaP colleagues and other key stakeholders; and manage follow-up actions.
  • Conduct market research by sector, country or region, and prepare documentation and data to support SME business advice, including devising metrics, compiling reports and feeding in to collateral.
  • Working with colleagues at post and across the region, lead on various defined tasks in support of UK companies currently in-market or looking to enter the market; helping them to spot opportunities as well as navigate challenges. This will include some local stakeholder engagement in key SME sectors in the UAE and may include attending either virtual or face-to-face briefings, trade missions and/or exhibitions in the UAE.
  • Engage with the UAE Overseas Referral Network of private sector partners and, where required, identify opportunities to expand the network.
  • Collaborate with the DBT MEaP Marketing and Communications Team to develop materials to inform business on market entry and to promote the MEaP International Markets Team.
  • Act as an advocate for the MEaP International Markets Team externally and internally, and support embedding the Hub into the wider MEaP way of working.
  • Provide administrative support to the MEaP Enquiry Hub in the form of one of the following: triage management; tracking & reporting; marketing or partner registration management.
  • Provide ad hoc administrative support to the Head of the MEaP International Markets Team as required. 

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis.

Key behaviours required:

  • Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
  • Delivering at Pace - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
  • Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
  • Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
  • At least 2 years’ relevant professional experience in a trade & investment or a commercial, customer facing role in the MEaP region; or a relevant undergraduate degree
  • A demonstrable interest in the field of international trade, business and/or exports specifically
  • Strong analytical and research skills including the ability to identify trends based on your own and 3rd party research
  • Ability to prioritise own workload and meet deadlines without compromising the quality of the work.
  • Ability to multi-task and respond quickly and flexibly to meet multiple and changing priorities.
  • Strong interpersonal skills. Confident and comfortable dealing with senior officials and businesses.
  • Resilient, decisive with a can-do attitude, and calm under pressure and with a proactive approach to problem solving.
  • Track record of delivery through collaboration and partnering in complex environments.
  • Team player who is capable of working on their own initiative as well as with others, including in a fast-paced and changing environment.
  • Excellent communication skills in English. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
  • Strong IT skills and well-versed in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams).
  • Private sector, business development experience in the GCC.
Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
3 December 2023
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Fixed Term
35
36 months
Middle East & North Africa
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, Dubai
British Embassy
2
AED
18,679
monthly
19 February 2024

Eligibility:

  • Applications will only be considered from those who are currently residing in the UAE and with a current and valid UAE resident visa. Applicants will be asked to provide evidence of their UAE resident visa/ Emirates ID as part of their application.
  • Applicants must be able to obtain a valid UAE police clearance certificate.

Working hours and remuneration:

The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, which includes 25 days of leave per annum (calculated pro-rata).

Salary is at AED 18,679 per month.

There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.

The Embassy is open from Monday to Friday, from 07:30 to 18:00. Conditioned working hours are 35 hours per week and specific working hours for this role will be confirmed at a later time.

Whilst the position will be based in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the jobholder will be expected to travel to the alternative post as per operational demands. Some out of hours work may also be required in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Travel to the UK and within the Gulf region (and possibly further afield) may be required for business, events, training and logistical purposes

The successful candidate will be required to transfer their visa under the Embassy's sponsorship.

How to apply:

Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV); 2) motivation essay, in the relevant sections of the online application form, stating how you meet the requirements of the role; and 3) specific examples, in the relevant sections of the online application form, of how you meet the key behaviours and skills required. 

Applications that do not include this information will not be considered. 

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 UAE local time on 03 December 2023. 

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered. 

Process:

The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around 2-3 months. The security clearance process includes checks available in country and with UK, dependant on the security level required for the role and the candidate's profile and UK footprint. You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign, and we are working hard to minimise any disruption.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful at interview may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of six (6) months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security-vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

 

The British Embassies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.