View Vacancy – DXB – Deputy Head of Trade and Operations, Department for International Trade (DIT) C5(L)

The British Embassy Dubai has a vacancy for a Deputy Head of Trade and Operations under the Department for International Trade (DIT) for a fixed-term contract of two (2) years.

The Department for International Trade (DIT) works with UK-based businesses to ensure their success in international markets and encourage the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice.

This is an excellent job for an ambitious individual looking for a stretching leadership role. The development opportunities come from both the varied responsibilities that the role brings, and the opportunity to lead the operations for a large and increasingly high-profile DIT team in one of its priority markets. Based in Dubai, this role covers both DIT teams in the UAE and will require frequent visits to Abu Dhabi.

Reporting to the Director of DIT UAE, the successful candidate will be a key figure in the DIT team.  They will play a significant role in strengthening the bilateral trade relationship, help develop the country plan, managing team performance, and working closely with other HMG (Her Majesty’s Government) colleagues to help UK companies capitalise on high-value commercial opportunities in the UAE.

The jobholder will be required to develop and maintain contacts with key figures in the UAE, including within the government, in support of UK commercial interests related to specific high-value sectors.  They will need to be comfortable operating with senior business figures (British, international and Emirati), Ministers, and senior officials, and be prepared to represent the Embassy at a broad range of events in this busy commercial post. They will assist or lead on a number of high-level trade related visits, including those by the Secretary of State.

The successful candidate will be expected to proactively contribute to wider regional priorities as defined by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Middle East, Afghanistan and Pakistan (HMTC MEAP) based in Dubai, and as covered in the Regional Trade Plan and Strategy. This will include drawing on the expertise of regional sector specialists. 

Duties and responsibilities:

– Team and budget management

• Lead day-to-day management of the DIT UAE network resource, including staff management of trade resource in Dubai and Abu Dhabi (with direct line management of eight Trade & Investment Advisors) and management of the DIT ring-fenced budget. Help drive decisions around resource management, performance management, and learning and development (L&D) across the network.
• Contribute to the business planning process and the development/ maintenance of focused plans for each of the high value sectors, matching UK strengths to UAE opportunities.
• Ensure the teams work with both UK and regional colleagues in a structured way to share intelligence and approaches, making sure the campaigns are underpinned by effective tactics, and are supplemented by a best-in-class approach to Strategic Relationship Management. 
• Ensure market access work forms part of the plans and that Trade Promotion Officers work effectively with market access champions/ Prosperity colleagues to shape the business environment within their sectors and unlock new opportunities. 
• Ensure a performance-monitoring framework is in place to assess delivery against plan and help the teams to work together to address any gaps.
• Ensure all relevant documentation and commissions are delivered on time and to a high standard, which will enable the Country Director to represent the UAE team in its best light.
• Engage in and support the delivery of our sector strategies.
• Convene and manage an appropriate schedule of performance meetings, balancing the competing priorities of the team and their other reporting requirements across our matrix management structure.

– Delivery of DIT’s annual export win targets

• Support British businesses in the UAE market by providing advice and briefings; by representing the Embassy at events; and by supporting local business networks.
• Deputise for the UAE Country Director when required, ensuring that senior stakeholders are kept informed of strategic developments, and representing DIT UAE both internally and externally. Ensuring smooth and consistent running of the team, reporting directly to Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC)/ Her Majesty’s Consul General (HMCG) and Her Majesty’s Ambassador (HMA).
• Support a busy programme of Ministerial visits, trade missions, and other high-level visits; contributing relevant briefing and ensuring that programmes are well-organised and that commercial opportunities are exploited in full.

– Contribute to wider Embassy reporting, analysis, and policy advice, and contributing to other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis.

Key competencies required:

• Leading and Communicating – Showing our pride and passion for public service, leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction, integrity, and enthusiasm. Being visible, establishing a strong direction and a persuasive future vision; managing and engaging with people in a straightforward, truthful and candid way, and upholding the reputation of the organisation.
• Making Effective Decisions – Using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to arrive at accurate, expert, and professional decisions and advice. Being careful and thoughtful about the use and protection of government and public information to ensure it is handled securely and with care. Reaching evidence-based strategies, evaluating options, impacts, risks and solutions and creating a secure culture around the handling of information. Aiming to maximise return whilst minimising risk and balancing a range of considerations such as social, political, financial, economic, legal and environmental to provide sustainable outcomes.
• Delivering at Pace – Focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. Working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. Building a performance culture where staff are given space, authority, and support to deliver outcomes; and keeping a firm focus on priorities and addressing performance issues resolutely, fairly, and promptly.
• Building Capability for All – Having a strong focus on continuous learning for oneself, others and the organisation. Being open to learning, about keeping one’s own knowledge and skill-set current and evolving. Investing in the capabilities of our people to be effective now and in the future, as well as giving clear, honest feedback and supporting teams to succeed. Managing talent and ensuring a diverse blend of capability and skills is identified and developed to meet current and future business needs. Creating a learning and knowledge culture across the organisation to inform plans and transformational change.

• Experience of leading and motivating a team. Demonstrates excellent staff management skills and effective communication skills.
• Experience of working in the UAE and/ or region, with proven financial and budget management skills and experience of having managed visits and/ or events in the private or public sector.
• Experience of working with senior level interlocutors and in stakeholder engagement across all levels. Successful track record in developing and maintaining relationships with senior executives and government officials to achieve significant business in the Middle East.
• Experience in working in large, complex, matrix organisations. Demonstrates initiative and ability to work flexibly both in a team and autonomously, and with stakeholders based across multiple locations.
• Ability to draft succinct reports and provide briefing for generalist and specialist audiences, including for ministers, often to very tight deadlines. Demonstrates ability to deliver high quality day-to-day data management.
• Good interpersonal skills and team player with willingness to work across boundaries. Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with business contacts and colleagues. Demonstrates courtesy and consideration in dealing with all stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and keen attention to detail. Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines and in a fast paced environment without compromising the quality of the work.
• Experience of brief writing and public speaking. Ability to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely in English, both orally and in written communication. Ability to write to a high standard for a wide range of audiences.
• Resourcefulness in solving problems. Ability to anticipate and take initiative to avoid problems or fix them, and to use information and experience to solve problems effectively. Able to work independently and react calmly to situations which may arise, without constant supervision.
• Strong IT skills and literacy in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams).