This is an exciting role for an enthusiastic, proactive and flexible individual to be our Senior Trade and Investment Officer focusing on Marine. Working closely with colleagues as part of the Innovation and Industry Directorate, you will play a key role in supporting the DIT China region (China & Hong Kong) achieve its objectives as articulated in the Regional Trade Plan, of which the over-arching ambitions are:

Objective 1 - Driving and inspiring UK exports to China, significantly increasing the UK market share of China's goods imports, and more than double the value of UK services exports.

Objective 2 – Consistent trade policy engagement with China to achieve incremental market access, mitigate business risk and prepare for future trade deals

Objective 3 - Broadening and deepening the UK-China investment partnership, positioning the UK as the top European destination for Chinese investment and providing strong support for UK investors.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) was established by the Prime Minister in July 2016 to integrate and elevate the Trade agenda; help secure a better deal for the UK as it negotiates a successful exit from the EU; and, establish new relationships with other countries around the globe. DIT promotes British trade across the world and ensures the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving the economic well-being and stability of the UK, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs every year.

Context:

Led by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for China and Hong Kong we are one of nine global regions and part of an overseas network that operates in 108 countries. The largest DIT overseas network in the world, with 200 staff across six posts - the British Embassy in Beijing, plus Consulates in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the One HMG network in China and Hong Kong, offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK: China Government relations.

Detail:

With a primary focus on the Marine sector, the job holder will both inform and manage delivery of the overarching Advanced Manufacturing strategy. In addition to Marine, the jobholder will also be expected to provide insight and input into the Advanced Manufacturing and Chemical sub sectors.

As our Senior Trade and Investment Officer for Marine, the successful candidate will be responsible for helping UK companies win more high value business deals and exports to China, as well as securing new and increased investment from China into the UK. To achieve this, the jobholder will need to build strong relationships with key multipliers, industry bodies and business clients; identifying, designing and managing strategic campaigns, projects and visits to win support for DIT’s Export and Investment agenda. In addition to traditional trade and investment targets, the jobholder will also provide support on specific market access issues within the Marine sector and promote UK excellence in the Chinese market.

Roles and responsibilities:

Delivering export wins and foreign direct investment targets

• Identify and analyse trends and developments in the Marine sector in China and UK markets, and key companies in targeted sub-sectors, as well as in the external factors affecting the sector's operating environment, and use this to deliver the team’s export wins and FDI targets.
• Identify and coordinate inputs to help with the evolution of the sector strategy. Organise input of information to help raise awareness of China opportunities through specialists, Investment Organisations, Local Enterprise Partnerships etc. Sign-posting to partner organisations and other services where appropriate.

Effective client management and pipeline building

• Take a systematic approach in identifying and building relationship with new marine clients at different levels and look for opportunities to deploy senior officials to unlock/enhance relationships. Pro-actively identify trade & investment opportunities and develop account management plans accordingly.

Leading on high impact campaigns, events and visits

• Advise on the design, and manage delivery and follow up of high-level campaigns, events and visits, in particular with our partners, that contribute to sector targets. Plan and manage practical and logistical aspects of important events including HMG visitor’s programmes and inward/outward missions (by Chinese companies to the UK and UK companies to China); working with partner organisations and other networks where appropriate.

Knowledge and Skills development

• Commit to continual learning, making full use of on the job opportunities to deepen your sector knowledge and understanding of the UK capability and UK/China business environment, as well as formal training for skills and personal competences most relevant to your job. This includes knowledge-sharing with colleagues across DIT and the wider Embassy/Consulate.

• Business Development Skills
• Experience of the UK Marine portfolio
• Excellent in spoken and written English and Chinese

• Experience or knowledge of Advanced Manufacturing sectors especially in Marine
• Networks within Marine and Advanced Engineering in China or in the UK

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross starting salary (before all deductions) is CNY 17, 870/month for Chinese Nationals and an abated monthly salary of CNY 24, 746/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. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. 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 Consulate-General is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 (China Standard Time) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

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.

Advertised start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.

You may check your online FCO application centre/email for any updates.