View Vacancy – CPK – Business Environment Advisor B3(L)

The Department for International Trade (DIT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DIT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender. 

Context

This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade (DIT). Our aim is to promote British trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DIT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to the success of the UK’s trade goals.

DIT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes British trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs. DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China. Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c.190 staff across six posts – Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DIT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.

Main Purpose of Job

This is an exciting and demanding role for an exceptional individual to be the Business Environment Advisor, working alongside and part of the Embassy’s Trade Policy Unit to help to advance the trade and investment ambitions articulated in the Department for International Trade (DIT) Regional Trade Plan for the China and Hong Kong region, which 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 – Strengthened 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.

Roles and responsibilities:

As Business Environment Advisor, you will be on the frontline monitoring and reporting on China’s changing regulatory environment across various areas related to trade and investment. The jobholder needs to be able to communicate to a British audience on what is happening and why, and what this means for the UK’s economic, political, and business interests. You will also be expected to lead on drafting the team’s regulatory updates on China’s business environment and on discrete special reports on specific topics of interest to the UK.

You will work closely with the policy officers across the network, including from Political, Outreach, Economic, and Science & Innovation to identify synergies and meet our objectives. You will also engage and build relationships with various UK and Chinese government ministries and regulators to pursue our business environment agenda.

Strong written and oral English and Chinese skills are essential for this role.

This position is advertised on a fixed-term basis for two year, subject to renewal dependent on satisfactory performance and operational needs.

Specific responsibilities will include:

Regulatory analysis and reporting (60%)

• Monitor and report on key regulatory issues affecting UK businesses in China, for example, in the areas of competition, licensing and standards. Provide regular reporting to Embassy and Whitehall audiences as well as brief senior officials, both orally and in writing.
• Prepare the quarterly China Commercial Regulatory Summary and lead cross-Embassy work to update the Overseas Business Risk Summary every six months.
• Monitor and report from open source information on China’s agreements with foreign countries.

Stakeholder management (20%)

• Maintain a structured and co-ordinated approach to engagement with our internal stakeholders across the UK government, UK business, Chinese government ministries, and academia/ think-tanks to make the best use of contacts to support our trade policy objectives.
• Work across DIT and the wider China Network to identify and seek synergies with trade promotion colleagues.

Business & cross-team support (20%)

• Provide logistical oversight and support as necessary for bilateral meetings, dialogues and visits.
• Assist in translating documents / interpret meetings when truly needed.

• Relevant experience in trade policy, regulatory policy or economic analysis
• Previous experience of communicating clearly and concisely in English is essential, including the ability to explain technical terms and processes to a non-technical audience.
• Excellent communications skills and fluent in English and Chinese, both written and spoken.
• Ability to write reports to tight deadlines.
• Language: English and Mandarin (Excellent/Highly Proficient)