The job holder will act as a policy lead and programme manager for the UK Government’s China Infrastructure Programme. The China Infrastructure Programme is a three-year ODA (Official Development Assistance) programme with an allocation of up to £12m. The programme leverages UK and Chinese expertise to undertake joint policy development, pilot projects and investment facilitation, with the aim of increasing the sustainability, quality and commercial viability of infrastructure investments in Africa and Asia.

As policy lead, the job holder will use specialist infrastructure and development expertise to ensure the programme design and implementation are aligned with the development needs of beneficiary countries and UK policy. The job holder will also lead on strategic stakeholder management for the programme, building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders across UK, China and third country governments, businesses and other partner organisations. As such the successful candidate will need to demonstrate strong communicating, collaborating and influencing skills.

The job holder will be an integral member of the programme delivery team and will work closely with the private sector lead delivery partner to ensure successful implementation of the programme. The job holder will also support delivery of high level visits and events linked to the programme, and will contribute to effective management of the programme and delivery partner, maximising value for money and impact. The successful candidate will have experience of working in a programme environment with a working knowledge of programme management, monitoring and evaluating, and budget management.

The China Infrastructure Programme is part of the UK Government’s £1.2bn Prosperity Fund, which was launched in November 2015 to promote the economic reform and development needed for growth in partner countries. Priorities include improving the business climate, competitiveness and operation of markets, infrastructure investment, and energy and financial sector reform. As well as contributing to a reduction in poverty in recipient countries, these reforms are expected to create opportunities for international business including UK companies.

Implementation / Delivery (80%)

Strategic stakeholder engagement and management

• Lead on developing and managing relationships with Chinese government stakeholders (including NDRC, SASAC, MOFCOM, MOF etc.), including at a senior level to ensure the programme has influence within the Chinese system.
• Develop and influence external engagement with a wide network of UK, Chinese and third country businesses, industry associations, research institutes as well as international organisations to support achievement of policy and programme outcomes.
• Work closely with key departments within the UK Government and the British Embassy network (including DIT, DFID, FCO, HMT and BEIS) to ensure the programme aligned with UK policy objectives

Policy support for the Infrastructure Programme

• Analyse policy development related to China’s outbound infrastructure investment (including the Belt and Road Initiative) to deliver sector and strategic advice to the Programme team
• Autonomously lead and develop expertise China’s overseas infrastructure development and financing to support wider team objectives
• Produce reports and provide policy and sector insights to support better understanding and effective decision making for the Programme team

Programme implementation

• Apply knowledge of infrastructure sector and research directly to the design and delivery of the Programme to ensure optimum alignment with China’s needs and UK priorities and to increase development impact.
• Leverage expertise across the China network, particularly among DIT colleagues, to better inform design and development of the programme and optimise the potential for commercial benefit.
• Apply expertise to facilitate the programme implementation and ensure the quality of programme outputs.

Visits and events

• Support delivery of key visits and events of senior government officials to maximise the programme impact

Programme management – 20%

• Use strong programme management skills to ensure Programme activities deliver high impact and value for money against Prosperity Fund criteria. This will include management of external suppliers, monitoring and evaluating programme performance, and oversight of programme budgets over the lifetime of the programme.
• Provide input into overall reporting and communications of the China Infrastructure Programme, including through case studies and success stories, as well as reporting to the Prosperity Fund on KPIs, Logframe and VfM indicators

• Technical expertise in infrastructure development and financing, infrastructure policy, and/or development assistance programmes
• Experience networking and negotiating with external stakeholders in both commercial sectors and government institutions to secure relevant buy in;
• Strong written and oral communications skills in English and Chinese to confidently represent and champion the China Infrastructure programme;
• Good budget management skills;
• Good IT skills including Microsoft excel and word.

• Experience of working in the infrastructure sector / development sector / government / international organisation
• Experience of working in a programme management role, including designing new projects, setting specific outputs, outcomes and indicators, evaluating and monitoring projects, value for money, risk management
• Understanding of UK and Chinese policies and approaches for infrastructure and/or development

We place a strong emphasis on learning and development (L&D). You will be encouraged to undertake developmental training and get involved in corporate activities. This role provides an excellent opportunity to build up programme management knowledge and expertise and gain exposure to working across government. You will have access to existing and new Project & Programme Management L&D as well as wider job-relevant L&D and support for your own personal development. The British Embassy offers a wide range of L&D opportunities including training in leadership, communicating and personal impact.

This is a fixed-term role until 31 March 2021, subject to extension of funding.

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross starting salary (before all deductions) for this position is CNY 27,596 / month for Chinese Nationals and an abated monthly salary of CNY 35,959 / month for British Nationals and spouses/ partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.

We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Beijing is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

All applications must be received before 11:55PM (China Standard Time) on 19 September 2019.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.