View Vacancy - Deputy Sector Director – AgriTech
The Department of International Trade at the British Embassy in Cairo has a vacancy for a Deputy Sector Director – AgriTech, job grade, Higher Executive Officer (HEO).
This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade (DIT). Our aim is to promote British trade and investment across the world, which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DIT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to the success of the UK's trade goals.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the Trade Promotion and Negotiation Organisation for the UK. We promote UK businesses overseas and attract foreign investment. We have 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries. Our aspiration is to address some of the challenges facing the UK, by helping British businesses to internationalise and grow overseas.
You will join the DIT’s Africa network, providing crucial leadership and expertise as part of our expansion. You will be networked closely with colleagues from across HMG working on prosperity issues as DIT can only successfully deliver our commercial ambitions by working seamlessly as part of joint and coordinated prosperity teams alongside the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Main duties and responsibilities:
- You will be responsible for supporting and delivering DIT Africa’s Sector work on agriculture. This will include every aspect of agricultural production and processing but with a particular emphasis on agricultural technology and investment.
- The core of the job will be really to understand and support key African markets on their agricultural production and trade and future plans for both and help African producers understand where a commercial application could deliver on or raise their ambition.
- You will work closely with the sector director, country directors and country teams to drive the implementation of a pan-Africa sector plan focussed on outcomes and with clear priorities, goals, milestones and deliverables. You will organise sector focussed events, follow up with key buyers and with UK companies, and drive closer teamwork with our country teams, helping them to understand and access expertise on UK capability. You will ensure we have a clear understanding of the interests of major UK firms active in Africa, shared with country teams. You will ensure our pipeline of key projects reflects key upcoming opportunities, working with our country teams to do this. You will help drive teamwork, drawing on your inputs and research, to ensure all members of our pan-Africa Sector Team are working in close alignment. You will work together with UK and African stakeholders across government, the private sector and sector bodies and associations to advance UK interests.
- You will support our strong programme of relationship management with major UK companies in the sector.
- You will provide analysis of their key interest in potential leads and on the market access barriers they may face.
- You will use your own experience of business to secure value-adding and enhancing services for UK business among the DIT Africa team. You will help to drive forward our work in this key sector, helping country teams in DIT Africa to find new opportunities, develop new leads and deals, help build solutions to resolve problems, and win export and or investment.
- You will support a strategic relationship management approach for the top African producers and firms, and the same for our UK companies working to support agriculture.
The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs.
Key behaviours:
- Leadership - Show pride and passion for public service. Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision. Value difference, diversity and inclusion, ensuring fairness and opportunity for all.
- Working Together - Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
- Managing a Quality Service - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
- Making Effective Decisions - Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice. Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
- Excellent communication skills in English and Arabic, both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication;
- Postgraduate degree or undergraduate degree and other relevant professional qualification or experience.
- At least three (3) years’ experience working in an agritech or trade and investment field or similar.
- Proven track record of cross-team collaboration.
- A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges.
- Knowledge of and a keen interest of the agritech field to business seeking to invest/export to Africa.
- Working in a pan-African context.
- Experience of working in or with government departments, NGOs, and similar institutions.
- Knowledge of the UK agri tech sector.
- Working knowledge of French.
Eligibility:
Applicants must have the legal right to live and work in Egypt.
Remuneration:
The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including a non-negotiable gross salary of USD 2,277 per month subject to insurance and tax as per the usual regulations based on a 36 hours per week. However, 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.
We offer a competitive package including medical benefits, performance related bonus, recreational facilities, opportunities for job related training & development, etc. There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
The role is for a full-time employment, on a fixed term basis for one (1) year, subject to three (3) months’ probationary period.
The British Embassy is committed to helping staff develop in their careers through formal and informal training and coaching. You will have access to the full suite of DIT and FCDO learning and development opportunities including the FCDO’s Diplomatic Academy, training in the UK, and will be encouraged to join DIT’s trade profession. We also provide regular in-house learning opportunities and are committed to supporting further academic opportunities. Our staff who demonstrate great leadership potential are encouraged to apply for the FCDO’s pan-African Emerging Leadership Programme.
You will be expected to undertake occasional travel to the UK and across Africa.
How to apply:
Interested candidates must attach the following documents in English to their online application:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae.
- A covering letter stating why you feel you have the necessary skills to perform well in the above role.
**Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the required behaviours in the behaviour and technical section of the online application form.
The closing date for applications is 23:55 (Egypt Local Time) 17 July 2022.
Please note that incomplete applications or applications received after the stated deadline will not be taken into consideration.
Due to the large amount of applications, we receive only those shortlisted for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted.
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.
Personal data collected will be treated in strictest confidence under the terms of the UK Data Protection Act and used for recruitment purposes only.
The British Embassy Cairo is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staffs recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of service according to local Egypt employment law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
