View Vacancy – CQ – Senior DIT Officer (Aviation and Transport) 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 Department for International Trade (DIT) as a Senior Trade & Investment Officer, Aviation and Transport. Our aim is to promote UK 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 UK 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:

As a Senior Trade & Investment Officer, you will be expected to independently lead on the aviation and rail sectors in ten provinces in West China with priority focusing on airport projects in Chongqing, Kunming, Xi’an, Guiyang, Xining, Urumqi, Lanzhou, as well as maintain the strategic relationship with metro operators. You will track airport and rail sector developments to build a robust pipeline of UK/China partnerships in the supply chain which worth circa £50m. You will cover both trade and investment and you will lead on the delivery of specific themed sector events and visits to support commercial partnerships. You will provide research and written briefing for senior government meetings, and maintain accurate records in our IT database.

The core focus of the job will be to contribute to the delivery of high value export wins and high quality inward investment for the UK, meeting sector targets. You will do this by undertaking the following activities:

• Building strong relationships with key government departments, industry bodies and business clients both in China and in the UK.
• Identifying and linking new Chinese opportunities and investment interests with UK capability and strategic needs.
• Promoting UK excellence in these sectors.
• Working in collaboration with partner networks and business associates, to overcome business barriers and market access issues.
• Working with teams across the Consulate/China Network to support senior Ministerial/VIP visits between the UK and China, including; contributing to the design and delivery of high-level visits programmes (online/offline), as well as follow-up activity.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

Deliver strategic trade and investment campaigns:

• Identify and contribute to the development of the sector strategy and manage the delivery of trade and investment sector campaigns in West China.
• Build robust pipelines to deliver against sector targets. Identify and land Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects from West China.
• Report on trends and developments in West China and UK markets and key companies in the sector, as well as in the external factors affecting the sector’s operating environment, and use this information to support delivery of these campaigns.
• Organise input of information to the DIT website to raise awareness of China opportunities to: International Trade Advisors (ITAs), DIT specialists, Investment Organisations etc, and sign-posting to the China British Business Council (CBBC) and other services where appropriate.

Effective relationship management:

• Work with other teams within the Embassy to support urgent requests on UK-China flights (e.g. cargo flights, passenger charter flights, scheduled passenger flights). This usually comes through on ad hoc basis and needs to be prioritised over other work. You will be required to take immediate action to liaise with relevant departments in CAAC and other relevant regulatory agencies.  
• Identify and build relationships with key companies and organisations in West China and the UK, including: intermediaries, trade associations, government departments, and individual companies in order to understand their business intentions and needs.
• Foster long-term, working level government-to-government contacts, and facilitate high level engagement (e.g. The Ambassador, Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner, Consul-Generals, and Directors) with more complex/senior relationships as appropriate.
• Work across wider network, including: Prosperity team, Outreach, SIN, Trade Associations, DAs to improve business matching and identification of new business leads.

High impact visits and events (online/offline):

• Advise on design and management of high-level visits and events that contribute to sector targets and address business environment and market access issues. Undertake follow-up activity.
• Plan and manage practical and logistical aspects of important visit programmes (by Chinese companies to the UK and UK companies to China) that contribute to sector targets. Provide timely, high-quality briefing and reports.

Knowledge and skills development:

• Commit to continual learning of self and team, making full use of on the job opportunities to deepen 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 the job. 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

None specifically, but you will have a high level of autonomy for managing your work schedule. The role will require some travel around West China and across China, and occasionally to UK. You will need to manage your own travel and subsistence expenditure in accordance with established guidelines.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

There is plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and to establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their investment and trade professionalism.

In addition, opportunities and activities include

• Courses and learning modules offered through the International Trade Profession and Diplomatic Academy.
• Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc
• Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management, effective remote working and trade policy.
• Opportunities for job shadowing across the network.
• An individual bid fund providing funding to support more tailored learning and development needs. 

• Excellent / Highly Proficient in written and spoken English
• Excellent / Highly Proficient in written and spoken Chinese
• Minimum of 2 years of full time working experience.
• A diplomatic, tactful manner when dealing with contacts and colleagues.
• Good organisational skills, positive approach to teamwork, and a pro-active attitude.
• Good administrative and IT skills (e.g. Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Candidates must also be available for occasional domestic travel.
• Commercial understanding and experience working for/with companies.