The British Consulate General in Casablanca invites applications for the position of Agriculture Attache, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) on a fixed term contract of six (6) months.

The successful candidate will work within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and as an integral part of the British Consulate Casablanca team to support UK agri-food market access objectives in Morocco and, where capacity allows, across North and West Africa.  This role will work to support the Africa attaché based in Southern Africa who will drive strategy for the Continent.    

A key focus of the role will be delivering tangible outcomes from an existing portfolio of market access barriers and regulatory cooperation projects across the food and drink space. Working closely with Moroccan competent authorities, particularly L’Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des produits Alimentaires (ONSSA), the Ministry of Agriculture, UK industry, Defra and Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST), you will seek to bring existing market access priorities to a conclusion, securing export opportunities for UK businesses and ensuring outcomes are properly evidenced, communicated and handed over for future follow-up.  

The role will also support Defra’s engagement with Moroccan Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) authority and market access requests to the UK, recognising the importance of progressing both UK and Moroccan priorities in support of the wider bilateral relationship. 

Where capacity and business priorities allow, you will support Defra’s wider work across North and West Africa, helping assess commercial opportunities, provide regional market intelligence, support delivery of priority workstreams and identify opportunities for UK agri-food exports in the region. 

This role is well suited to an individual who is open to learning and can hit the ground running in an exciting area and deliver results. One who can think outside the box, has great time management skills, cooperates across teams, and has an eye for detail. An enthusiasm and knowledge of agriculture, food, and drink is a must. Specialist knowledge of SPS and trade is highly desired.  

You will report to the Head of Trade Policy and Market Access but will have day-to-day task management, support, and strategic direction from the Defra Attache based in South Africa. It will be integral that you work to support the priorities given to you from the Defra Attache and from Defra HQ in London. 

You will also work closely with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Morocco team in Casablanca, particularly the Trade Policy and Market Access Lead and the Market Access Officer. You will be expected to pitch in and play a role in the larger BIST Africa network. 

Duties and responsibilities:

• Manage a defined portfolio of existing market access priorities, focusing on securing realistic and deliverable outcomes within the lifetime of the role. 
• Work with Defra, BIST, UK industry and relevant authorities to remove barriers to trade and facilitate market access for UK agricultural, food and drink products. 
• Identify opportunities to convert regulatory cooperation into measurable export outcomes and commercial opportunities for UK businesses. 
• Record, evidence and communicate market access successes, including recording export wins, beneficiary companies and opportunities for communications products and case studies. 
• Assess the status and commercial value of ongoing market access barriers and provide recommendations on whether workstreams should be continued, handed over, deprioritised or closed. 
• Develop clear handover notes and recommendations to ensure continuity of work beyond the duration of the role. 
• Coordinate and support Defra engagement on partner countries’ SPS and market access requests to the UK, ensuring timely responses and effective follow-up. 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Moroccan government stakeholders, particularly ONSSA and the Ministry of Agriculture. Work closely with the Attache in Southern Africa to ensure diplomatic strategy and government engagement. 
• Prepare briefings, reporting and recommendations for Defra, BIST, FCDO and senior stakeholders where needed. 
• Support visits, technical meetings, trade missions and stakeholder engagement activity where these contribute directly to delivery of agreed objectives. 
• Maintain accurate records of progress, outcomes and next steps across all workstreams. 
• Support wider Defra priorities in Morocco and, where appropriate, across North and West Africa. Feed these into BIST Africa network where appropriate. 

 The above list is not exhaustive, and the jobholder will be required to be flexible as specific responsibilities could change in the future, and this would be at the discretion of the line manager. The job description may be reviewed to meet changes in business needs. The jobholder may also take on other ad hoc tasks as required.

 Key behaviours required:

• Managing a Quality Service: Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise, and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Working Together: Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• Communicating and Influencing: Communicate purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respect the needs, responses and opinions of others.

Eligibility:

Applicants must have the right to work and live in Morocco.

• Knowledge and experience in agrifood and agricultural sectors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French. 
• Experience of trade policy and market access. 
• Experience managing projects, programmes, policy delivery or stakeholder engagement across multiple organisations. 
• Ability to build productive relationships and influence government, regulatory, commercial or industry stakeholders. 
• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results at pace. 
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess evidence and provide clear recommendations. 
• Experience preparing briefings, reports or recommendations for senior stakeholders. 
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records of progress and outcomes. 
• Ability to work across different teams, locations, and time zones – always maintaining a friendly, approachable and cooperative team spirit. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. 
• Experience working with government departments or regulators.