Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
Investment
Background & Purpose of the Job:
This is an exciting opportunity to lead an important and ever-expanding area of DIT Ghana’s work.
The UK-Africa Investment Summit on 20 January 2020 laid the foundations for new partnerships between the UK and African nations based on trade, investment, shared values and mutual interest. The UK also announced new initiatives and funding which will: strengthen the joint trading relationship, support African countries in their ambition to transform their economies, launch a major new partnership with the city of London, turbo-charge infrastructure financing, and enable Africa’s clean energy potential. Taken together, this will help to realise the UK’s ambition to be the investment partner of choice for Africa. Supporting post COVID-19 economic recovery will be one of the key areas of focus for the UK in Ghana over the next few years, and supporting investment activity will be critical to this.
You will join the Department for International Trade’s Africa network, providing crucial leadership and expertise as part of our expansion. You will be networked closely with colleagues from across HMG working on prosperity issues as DIT can only successfully deliver our commercial ambitions by working seamlessly as part of joint and coordinated prosperity teams alongside our Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) colleagues. This is an exciting time to join DIT Africa, at the British High Commission in Accra, as we increase our ambition to deliver the objectives contained within the refreshed DIT Africa Regional Trade Plan.
The British High Commission in Accra remains a large post, currently employing 50 UKB staff and 200 Country Based Staff (CBS), and is charged with delivering high impact and complex programmes and campaigns on security, development, and trade and economic partnerships. All staff embody the new FCDO approach to cross-HMG working, and the High Commission aims to be a highly-inclusive place to work, celebrating a workforce with both diversity of thought and background. To help achieve this the British High Commission takes a values-based approach to leadership and people management, and has a zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment. Our local values are Respect; Openness; and Honesty & Integrity. An understanding and commitment to inclusion and values-based leadership will be discussed during interview and tested during probation.
The UK is committed to being the partner of choice for investment in Ghana by harnessing both government and private-sector led investment and financing opportunities. HMG is working closely with the Government of Ghana to increase ODI, support job creation and Ghana’s ambitious ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda. The UK-Africa Investment Summit has created a significant amount of momentum to drive this work, and the UK-Ghana Business Council will continue to support it.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the Trade Promotion and Negotiation Organisation for the UK. We promote UK businesses overseas and attract foreign investment to our shores. We have 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries. Our aspiration is to address some of the challenges facing the UK, by helping British businesses to internationalise and grow overseas.
Roles and Responsibilities:
The post holder will lead on DIT’s ODI and investment work in Ghana, supporting the UK’s ambition to become Ghana’s investor of choice and significantly increase UK investment stock in Ghana. Protecting the interests of UK investors, and supporting greater levels of investment to support post-COVID-19 recovery will be central to this role. We are looking for someone with credible experience in attracting and structuring investments. The role will be cross-sector but with a particular focus on the UK-Ghana Business Council’s six sectors of choice. The postholder would also take on leadership for two key sectors for the UK in Ghana – most likely energy and manufacturing sectors. The postholder will work closely with FCDO and DIT’s Africa Director for Investment to develop a clear UK offer and a pipeline of bankable projects, resulting in a 5% year on year increase of UK investment in Ghana. The role will focus on:
- Developing and leading the execution of a cross-government UK-Ghana investment strategy, with a strong focus on post COVID-19 recovery;
- Working with UK government colleagues and the UK private sector in both London and Ghana to ensure a coherent UK investment offer is developed and communicated effectively;
- Developing and supporting to execution a pipeline of investable projects;
- Develop and maintain a network of key UK investors, including supporting the Africa Investors Group and establishing a Ghana-focussed UK investors group;
- Working with FCDO colleagues to use ODA funded programming to promote investment opportunities in Ghana;
- Leading a team account management function for the top UK investors in Ghana;
- Developing and managing a network of contacts in the Government of Ghana, HMG and the private sector to support UK investment in Ghana.
Resources managed:
- No direct reports. Some budget responsibility may be delegated on a project basis.
- 5+ years of international commercial experience, ideally in an investment context;
- Understanding of the investment landscape in Ghana and of project finance options, including public-private partnerships;
- Strong oral and written English communication skills;
- Relevant work experience, a track record of delivery through collaboration and partnering in complex environments;
- Ability to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines;
- Resourcefulness in solving problems;
- Good interpersonal skills and comfortable dealing with senior officials and business people.
- Private sector banking experience;
- Experience working with, or understanding of, green financing options;
- Understanding and/or experience of working in the energy and/or manufacturing sectors.
Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes, Engaging Internationally
4 May 2021
C4 (L)
Permanent
35
Africa
Ghana
Accra
British High Commission
1
GHS equivalent to USD 1,618.65
1 July 2021
Learning and development opportunities:
The successful applicant will have access to a range of Learning and Development opportunities with in-house and e-learning, with the potential for overseas training. From time to time there will be requirements to assist other teams within the Department, building overall resilience and broader experience.
- This role is Accra based and reports to the Deputy Country Director for the UK Department for International Trade in Ghana, also based in Accra.
- There will be travel requirements and opportunities both within Accra and Ghana more widely.
- All applicants must be legally able to work in Ghana with the correct visa/status or work permit.
- Staff members recruited locally by the British High Commission in Accra are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Ghana employment law.
- Spouses/registered partners of UK Based Staff, are able to work within the BHC/BCG but their salary will be abated at the appropriate tax rates.
- Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
- Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted.
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