View Vacancy – Commercial Attaché (Maternity Cover)

The British Embassy, Muscat has a vacancy for the post of Commercial Attaché, Grade B3 (L). This is a maternity cover opportunity and the role is available on a fixed term basis for 8.5 months.

Main Purpose of the Job:

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is a UK Government Department, whose responsibilities include UK exports’ promotion; promoting investment into the UK; identifying and seeking to overcome barriers to trade in international markets; and contributing to bilateral Government-to-Government relationships.

The DIT team for Oman is based in the British Embassy Muscat. It is part of DIT’s Middle East, Afghanistan & Pakistan (MEAP) region, which comprises 12 countries across the Gulf (KSA, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait), and just beyond (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Iran).

The primary purpose of the Commercial Attaché job is export promotion – to support UK Companies looking to secure contracts and business in Oman, with a particular focus on the Healthcare, Life Sciences, Tourism and Creative Industries sectors. Additionally, the post holder operates as DIT Muscat’s marketing and communications lead, and is required to contribute to the other DIT objectives listed above on request. All team members are responsible for maintaining DIT records, supporting the administration of the DIT Team, as well as supporting the corporate objectives of the British Embassy Muscat; contributing to wider MEAP priorities as defined in the Regional Trade Plan (RTP) and Strategy; and working with DIT colleagues in other MEAP markets on cross-cutting priorities or issues of mutual concern.

The successful candidate will maintain existing relationships with Omani clients in the public and private sectors; research, produce and disseminate information on market opportunities and developments; respond to enquiries from UK companies and colleagues across the DIT network (including Healthcare UK); contribute to the organisation of visits and events from Government officials and UK companies; and provide significant and measurable help to UK companies as they attempt to secure export ‘wins’ in Oman in the Healthcare and Tourism sectors. Additionally, all team members provide assistance when it comes to non-priority sectors and general enquiries.

As marketing and communications lead, the successful candidate will coordinate the team’s social media presence (particularly twitter), coordinate and disseminate DIT Muscat’s quarterly newsletter, coordinate monthly reports from the DIT team of “GREAT” branded events and ensure DIT Muscat’s marketing collateral is up to date and that the team complies with marketing guidelines in all its activities. This involves close liaison with both the DIT Regional Marketing Hub (based in Dubai) and the British Embassy’s External Communications Manager, as well as with colleagues in the DIT Muscat team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Work closely with British companies looking to identify, explore, and secure business/commercial opportunities in Oman, with a particular focus on the Healthcare and Tourism sectors. [60%]

General activities undertaken in support of this responsibility will include:

• Build and maintain an effective network of relationships with key clients and stakeholders in the Healthcare and Tourism sectors in Oman, keeping up to date on current developments affecting these sectors in Oman, future trends, and proactively identifying requirements for goods and services.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of key UK strengths in the Healthcare, Life Sciences and Tourism / Creative Industries sectors.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of opportunities in the healthcare, life sciences and tourism / creative industries sectors, and advertise specific opportunities to UK companies.
• Maintain “sector reports” in Oman for healthcare / life sciences and tourism / creative industries, and provide written and verbal briefings to visiting officials and companies on request.
• Work closely with the sector teams (based in DIT HQ in London) and regional colleagues, in order to shape business planning, set realistic export win targets.
• Build and/or maintain internal knowledge management systems, databases of contacts and opportunities.
• Plan and manage events in support of sectoral development; such as seminars, receptions and networking events (largely all virtual at the present time).
• Provide assistance to companies exhibiting at trade fairs/exhibitions in Oman.
• Where relevant, provide introductions and other bespoke services (including lobbying support) for British companies looking to secure contracts in Oman.

2. Lead on DIT Muscat’s marketing and communications activity, which includes managing our social media presence (predominantly Twitter) and ensuring that our marketing materials are relevant and current. [10%].

General activities undertaken in support of this responsibility will include:

• Managing DIT Muscat’s social media presence (predominantly Twitter),
• Managing DIT Muscat’s contribution to monthly reports on upcoming and recent activities under the UK Government’s “GREAT” campaign (in liaison with the British Embassy Muscat’s External Communications Manager),
• Producing and disseminating DIT Muscat’s quarterly newsletter to key stakeholders
• Ensuring DIT Muscat’s marketing materials are current, and that the DIT Muscat team complies with DIT guidelines for marketing activity (in liaison with the DIT Regional Marketing Hub).

3. More generally, all team members are expected to be able to: [30%]

• Answer generic enquiries on doing business in Oman.
• Undertake market research on behalf of British companies.
• Highlight opportunities through the Export Opportunities portal.
• Prepare visit programmes for Individuals or companies visiting from the UK.
• Provide support to Omani officials visiting the UK.
• Support DIT targets and work collaboratively with the wider team.
• Help organise events. (This may require attendance at events outside of standard working hours).
• Travel to events outside of Oman in support of DIT objectives, and for personal development.

Key Competencies:

The candidate will need to demonstrate the following competencies during the interview:

• Leading and Communicating: Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.
• Collaborating and Partnering: People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
• Achieving Commercial Outcomes: Being effective in this area is about maintaining an economic, long-term focus in all activities. It’s about having a commercial, financial and sustainable mind-set to ensure all activities and services are delivering added value and working to stimulate economic growth.
• Delivering at Pace: Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. 

• Proficient user of IT and Microsoft Office.
• Excellent written and oral (English) communication and interpersonal skills,
• Ability to form collaborative partnerships/relationships and establish trust with others,
• Awareness of DIT structures, processes, and objectives.
• Prepared to travel to the UK and occasionally within the region for events and/or training.