Main purpose of job

This is an exciting and demanding position for an effective and high-potential candidate to work as a Senior Defence Exports Adviser for UK defence exports to Brazil, within the fast-paced environment of the UK Ministry of Defence. We are looking for a talented officer with the drive and people skills to help established British businesses increase their high value exports to Brazil, and to bring new UK exporters to the market.

Based at the British Consulate in Rio de Janeiro, you will work with both public and private sectors in Brazil to build a strategic pipeline of exports in the defence space. You should be interested in the defence sector, though greater emphasis is placed on the ability to build and lead customer relationships, identify opportunities and take initiative in your work, and achieve results. Good prioritisation skills are fundamental. Internally, close work with other Consulate and Embassy teams, regional colleagues, and senior officials will be key.

With Brazilian partners, you will develop close working relationships and identify areas for cooperation with the UK. You will present capabilities from across the UK defence sector and identify solutions and relevant companies that can meet local needs. With UK stakeholders, you will have frequent communication with British companies – both those that know Brazil well, and some that are less familiar with the region. You will also be required to seek out UK companies that have not exported to Brazil before and alert them to opportunities. Your familiarity of procurement processes in Brazil and advice on entering the market will therefore be indispensable. 

You will support the delivery of a pipeline of strategic, high-value opportunities in the defence space, driving progress and supporting UK companies to meet requirements. You will lead on visits, events and trade missions in the defence space that create new partnerships between UK and Brazilian stakeholders. 

You will work in the wider Ministry of Defence team, aligned with Department for Business and Trade and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office colleagues as well as working closely with counterparts in other LATAC markets.

Roles and responsibilities

The Senior Defence Exports Adviser will (subject to reasonable change) be responsible for:

1. Leading work that supports defence exports from the UK to Brazil, through well-planned interventions (meetings, introductions, events, partnerships, government engagement, inward and outward missions, visits etc.), resulting in the delivery of an ambitious export value target across the sector.
2. Developing close professional relationships with senior contacts across the Brazilian military, government and private security sector, to ensure the UK offer is properly understood and that British exporters fully understand Brazilian needs.
3. Advising UK companies on the Brazilian market, helping them understand local market entry requirements, assisting with local connections, supporting with in-country meetings, events and visits where required.
4. Work closely with colleagues in other Latin American and Caribbean countries to identify opportunities for British defence exports beyond Brazil, and synergies and best practice including around export licenses and procurement strategies.
5. Manage budgetary resources, via monthly forecasting of the budget allocated to the sector to ensure that all delegated funds are between 99 and 100% spent by the end of the financial year.
6. Line management of one analyst and one intern, directing and supporting their work, maintaining performance management, and encouraging personal development.
7. Support the wider work of the UK in Brazil team and other Consulate and Embassy sections (when required), including regional engagement, internal coordination and planning, events, analysis and briefing.
8. Identifying and taking-up Learning & Development opportunities to improve existing skills and/or develop new ones, as part of a Personal Development Plan as per the performance appraisal process.

Resources managed (personnel and expenditure)

• Line management of one analyst and one intern.

The FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.

• Evidence of excellent written and oral communication (English and Portuguese).
• Strong track record of interpersonal and relationship building with senior business leaders and/or public officials, including excellent networking and stakeholder management/engagement skills.
• A strong interest in the defence sector and understanding of the Brazilian military/Ministry of Defence.
• Good judgement and ability to take initiative and prioritise effectively.
• Five or more years relevant professional experience.
• Legal status to live and work in Brazil in your own right, from time of Application.

Language requirements:

Language:  English and Portuguese 

Level of language required: Written and spoken English (At least C1 level under CEFR) and Portuguese (fluent).