View Vacancy - VNM (HCMC) - Trade Policy Adviser: Market Access and Agriculture, HEO

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Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
Department for International Trade (DIT)

Main purpose of job:


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 the UK government, working on a broad and varied trade portfolio at a fundamental time for the UK-Vietnam relationship, as we mark the 50 year anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UK and Vietnam.

Bilateral trade is set to continue increasing following the signing of the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement in early 2021. In this context, resolving market access barriers is a joint priority for the UK and Vietnam. In this role, you will co-ordinate the UK Government’s market access advocacy in Vietnam, work closely with the Head of Trade and Investment in Hanoi and sector leads across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to provide oversight for sector advocacy planning. You will monitor progress against priority barriers, and work closely with colleagues in London to ensure regular and comprehensive reporting on progress to senior officials and Ministers. 

As Trade Advisor for Agriculture, Food and Drink, you will work with the UK in Vietnam’s Agriculture, Food and Drink Attaché on developing technical and sectoral knowledge of agri-food and drink commodities and export processes in Vietnam across key cross-cutting policy areas, including alcohol policy, timber standards, forest law enforcement, and Sanitary & Phytosanitary Standards (SPS). You will provide invaluable insight and analysis across a spectrum of agri-food market access and trade policy issues, to underpin Defra and wider UK Government engagement in one of the UK’s key international partnerships, broadening the international footprint of UK food and drink. You will work closely with the UK 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 and cultivating relationships with key contacts across relevant Vietnamese authorities. You will work with UK Ministries including DIT, DEFRA, HMRC and FCDO to shape policy goals and outcomes.

You will also lead on the agri-tech sector for DIT Vietnam, a key sector for the UK and Vietnam, which plays a pivotal role in our joint commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050. You will lead on the market access portfolio for priority and complex UK exports (animal products, plant-origin products) – F&D (alcohol) – as well as leading on wider policy areas related to the UK-Vietnam FTA, including fishing, timber , and sustainable agriculture. 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 Agricultural Attaché and 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, maintain and broaden the excellent working relationships with a wide range of contacts in government, business and other organisations in the sector (MARD, MOH, MOIT, MOF). You will also make a positive contribution to the wider DIT and One-HMG team.

You’ll be responsible for:

  • Policy development relating to key cross-cutting priorities.
  • Oversight and accountability for the network’s market access delivery.
  • Strategic planning for UK-Vietnam engagement on agriculture policy. 
  • Market access resolution for British exports of Agri-Food and Drink and agri-tech, through removing or reducing SPS barriers and Technical Barriers to Trade to make it easier for UK companies to establish and expand in market. ;
  • Developing a strong network of Agriculture, Food and Drink stakeholders including UK business representative organisations, key UK exporters and Vietnamese importers. This includes acting as the conduit into Vietnamese Government Departments.
  • 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;

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.

  • Awareness of governance and 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.

Language requirements: 

Language: English and Vietnamese

Level of language required: Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and Vietnamese are essential for this role. 

  • Knowledge of the UK Government’s work in Vietnam;
  • Knowledge of agri-tech sector in the UK and in Vietnam.
Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
13 February 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
39.5
Asia Pacific
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City
British Consulate General
1
VND
VND 57,137,529
27 March 2023

This position is being advertised as a full-time, fixed-term role with possibility of renewal at Ho Chi Minh City.

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

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to developing its staff. There will be opportunities for formal training alongside collaborating with a wide range of colleagues delivering on-the-job learning.

  • Working in a diplomatic mission
  • International policy skills course
  • UK Diplomatic Academy foundation learning
  • Regional and London-based formal learning opportunities

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. Visa sponsorship may be possible for non-Vietnamese nationals if meet local requirements.  

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.

Disabled and ethnic minority applicants will be invited to interviews if meeting the minimum requirement of the job.

Working patterns:

This is a full-time post with 39.5 of working hours per week. The Consulate would be willing to discuss flexible working options.

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

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen. 

All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the  next stage.
 
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.

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

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This opportunity is closed to applications.