View Vacancy - International Market Advisor - Southern Africa (DBT) - (59/23 JHB)

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)
Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). Our aim is to promote British trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DBT 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.

DBT is recruiting for the role of an International Market Advisor within the Export Support Service, to be based in Johannesburg, covering the wider Southern African region. The jobholder will report to the Head of International Markets;  Africa, and will be responsible for delivering advisory services to UK companies interested in exporting to and investing in Africa. This advice will centre on route to market (market entry) options. Where required, the Advisor will also be in a position to refer companies needing additional specialist and professional services not offered by DIT to in-market vetted private sector companies. The Advisor will also be responsible for the relationship with these in market providers, ensuring they provide the service envisaged to our companies, and tracking whether our companies progress to win business.

The Advisor will join the Department for International Trade’s Africa network providing crucial expertise as part of our offer to UK businesses exporting into the continent. The Advisor will be networked closely with colleagues from across DBT Africa and other UK Departments, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office when necessary. The Advisor will also need to actively engage with external stakeholders in the private sector.

 

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

  • Increase the value of UK exports by helping our companies gain entry to African markets
  • They will do this by providing tailored advice to UK businesses, helping them identify their route to market, their market entry needs, flagging market barriers, and advising on options for making progress
  • Support UK businesses establish effective export strategies and if needed, assist them in sourcing addition support through an Overseas Referral Network, ensuring regular follow up to remain a key player in their client’s export journey, tracking the service delivery so that the support given is fit for purpose and identify if further help is needed
  • Work with the Operations Team to maintain market intelligence to support dialogue with clients and build collaborative relationships with both British and African business in each region, including with a view to updating and expanding the Overseas Referral Network
  • Ensure appropriate export account management is followed and businesses are linked in to the International Trade Advisor Network
  • Upload business interactions weekly on to Data Hub and shared spreadsheets
  • Promote the market entry offer to British companies, UK Regions and Devolved Administrations, with a view to increase demand and visibility to SMEs across the UK
  • Maintain a thorough understanding of all of the markets in their region working closely with Posts and directing business to opportunities not just in the primary market

This list is not exhaustive and you may be required to carry out additional duties according to business needs.

  • 5+ years of either relevant advisory experience in the private or public sector, ideally on an international basis
  • Relevant degree and/or work experience with a track record of delivery through collaboration and partnering in complex environments
  • Ability to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines
  • Resourcefulness in solving problems
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and comfortable dealing with senior officials and business people
  • Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (MS teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook) 
  • Fluent written and spoken English

  • Private sector experience in a consultancy environment
  • Experience of working in a virtual team
Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Developing Self and Others, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
13 December 2023
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
36.5 hours
Africa
South Africa
Johannesburg
British High Commission
1
R 643,242.53 (per annum)
yearly
1 February 2024
28 February 2026

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

The successful applicant will be expected to take responsibility for their professional development and will be supported to do so.

A wide range of resources is available through the UK’s Diplomatic Academy, the Regional Learning and Development Centre, mentoring schemes and other on-line resources.

The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses/partners and dependants.

  • Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9% of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.
  • Annual leave entitlement of 25 day
  • Working hours per week of 36.5
  • Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening
  • Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted
  • The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position
  • Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Pretoria are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South Africa
  • All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit
  • The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to;
  • Obtain the relevant permit
  • Pay fees for the permit
  • Make arrangements to relocate
  • Meet the costs to relocation 
  • The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so
  • 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
  • Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles. Please note:  AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
  • Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates
  • Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6/12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.
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.