View Vacancy - Commercial Assistant (UZB20.304)
The British Embassy in Uzbekistan is part of the world-wide UK diplomatic network working on behalf of British political, economic and consular interests overseas, and is now looking to recruit a Commercial Assistant for the Commercial Section. The main purpose of the Commercial Section is to work proactively with the British Embassy’s local partners to promote opportunities in Uzbekistan in a range of sectors with the aim of increasing bilateral trade and investment between the UK and Uzbekistan.
The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying export and overseas direct investment opportunities in Uzbekistan in the Financial & Related Professional Services and Education Technology sectors, and for promoting these opportunities to UK companies. (These sectors may change in the future, as priorities are reviewed regularly.) The successful candidate will also be responsible for working with the public and private sectors in Uzbekistan to identify opportunities for UK companies and support them with business wins.
The successful candidate will also be expected to respond promptly to enquiries from UK businesses seeking to export their goods or services to Uzbekistan; to provide ongoing support to UK companies exploring exporting to or investing in Uzbekistan, including by organising trade missions; to provide market insight to UK companies according to their needs; and to maintain contact with UK companies operating in Uzbekistan to understand and support their objectives.
Main Duties and responsibilities:
- Build and develop a network of key contacts across government and the private sector, in order to monitor sector developments and identify opportunities for UK business interested in or already working in Uzbekistan. Provide information, monitor procurement websites and proactively contact UK businesses, ensuring a good quality service is provided to our UK customers;
- Engage directly with UK companies with an interest in exploring export opportunities in the Financial & Related Professional Services and Education Technology sectors in Uzbekistan, producing good quality detailed reports, market insights and sector or product-specific information and analyses;
- Build strong and effective relationships with stakeholders and clients in the UK and Uzbekistan;
- Arrange high-level meetings, events and visits aimed at promoting UK business interests, including official visits of UK delegations to Uzbekistan. Organize webinars and trade missions to/from Uzbekistan in the above mentioned sectors and contribute to the organization of Uzbek-British Trade and Industry Council annual meetings;
- Keep UK companies fully up to speed on export opportunities to the region via Department for International Trade databases and contribute to monthly updates on recent business developments;
- Liaise with companies and sponsors to raise funds for high profile Embassy events such as the annual celebration of the Queen’s Birthday;
- Support the Commercial Section in other administrative tasks, such as budget handling, diary organization, correspondence and overall logistic support for visits and missions.
- An extensive knowledge and understanding of the business environment in Uzbekistan;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in the English, Russian and Uzbek languages;
- Excellent IT skills including proficiency in MS Office suite applications e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint;
- Good interpersonal and networking skills, including the ability to deal comfortably with high level officials and contacts;
- Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines;
- Resourcefulness in solving problems; flexible team player;
- Strong organizational skills and good attention to detail;
- Ability to set and meet own priorities and work with limited supervision;
- Professionalism and sound judgment with a strong work ethic.
- Degree-level education, preferably in business, management or marketing.
- 2+ years of relevant experience;
- Professional experience either Financial & Related Professional Services or Education Technology sectors;
- Good knowledge and understanding of UK business environment;
- Prior experience of working with a private sector, diplomatic mission or international organization.
This is a full-time, permanent contract. Working hours are Monday to Friday, from 09.00-17.00 (40 hours per week).
There will be learning and development opportunities available such as:
- E-learning opportunities, including financial management and ORACLE based management/accounting;
- In-class training in Tashkent delivered by FCO Regional Learning & Development Centre (themes to be identified in consultation with the jobholder);
- CSSF specific training;
- Coaching and mentoring by more experienced colleagues.
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Uzbekistan are subject to the terms and conditions of service according to local Uzbek employment law. All applicants interested in this job opportunity should have the legal right to live and work in Uzbekistan.
The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.
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 British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
