Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT
Main purpose of the job:
The British Embassy Manila is a large diplomatic mission delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives on prosperity, security and consular matters. The Embassy is a modern, diverse and inclusive employer where everyone contributes to the Embassy’s CORE Values of Collaboration, Opportunity, Respect and Excellence.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK Government department charged with securing UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment, and championing free trade. In the Philippines, DIT works with colleagues in the British Embassy Manila and other partners to deliver trade objectives as part of the Asia Pacific (APAC) network and against an ambitious Regional Trade Plan. In APAC, DIT has over 200 staff working across 13 countries stretching from New Zealand to Myanmar, led by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) Natalie Black.
The Enhanced International Support Services (EISS) programme is the UK’s Trade Support services programme, ensuring the delivery of a quality service to up 5,000 small and medium sized businesses looking to export to overseas each year. In APAC, there will be an EISS APAC Hub managing enquires who will then work with EISS Market Advisors across the region who would guide local delivery of the service.
EISS Market Officers and Advisors will ensure local delivery of service to UK companies with export enquiries. You will conduct free market research service for companies, working with them to understand their requirements, undertaking desk research and supplying relevant market information. You will be asked to cover a cross-section of sectors and types of enquiry and will need to be adaptable to this – providing credible advice to a range of companies, whilst not being able to be expert on every sector. As such, you will lead on engagement with UK businesses, analysing their options in the market. You will utilize a wide range of external sources of information and where relevant suggest companies suitable for B2B meetings.
You will, with support from the Hub, manage the local Overseas Referral Network (ORN). The ORN is composed of potential suppliers of follow up advice and support for UK businesses, who can work with companies to get them set up in country. Your role is to source potential suppliers, meet with them, and have an oversight of the services delivered. Though ORN services are delivered outside of DIT, you will monitor customer satisfaction and will be able to add or remove companies from the ORN.
Work collaboratively and effectively with colleagues across the British Embassy.
Roles and responsibilities:
As this is a new role to deliver a new service, roles and responsibilities may evolve and the jobholder will need to be flexible and adaptive. Below is an indication of the likely core aspects of the role:
Account Management and Market Enquiry
- Increase the value of UK exports by being the main point of contact for small and medium sized businesses looking to export to the market, providing advice on the complexities of gaining entry to APAC markets. This requires an in-depth review of the market, research and knowledge of the UK businesses looking to export.
- Providing guidance to senior business contacts and stakeholders in identifying their route to market in one or several countries, assessing their market entry needs, and advising on options for making progress. Through technical knowledge and expertise, this role has a direct impact on the EISS programme, raising quality of service and securing good external relationships.
- Work proactively to build demand within the local market, seeking out export opportunities and tenders, and identifying and building relationships with major local businesses and importers.
- Produce, research and keep up to date various ‘off the shelf’ market information products. These may include overviews of key sectors of interest, as well as ‘how to’ guides relating to core aspects of setting up operations in country.
- Ensure export account management processes are followed and businesses are linked in to the International Trade Advisor Network.
- Join EISS, Regional, and Devolved Administration teams’ UK facing promotional opportunities when they occur, and support visibility of market opportunities to SMEs.
- Help UK businesses establish effective export strategies and if needed, recommend additional options from the local Overseas Referral Network, ensuring regular follow up to remain a key player in their client’s export journey, tracking the service delivery to ensure it is fit for purpose and identify if further help is needed
Overseas Referral Network
- Work with the APAC EISS Hub to maintain and increase market intelligence to promote dialogue with clients and build promote relationships with business in each region, including with a view to updating and expanding the Overseas Referral Network
- Maintain a thorough and in-depth knowledge and analysis of all of the markets in their region working closely with UK missions and directing business to opportunities not just in the primary market.
- People Management (in some roles)
- Line Manage one B3 support officer in region, supporting their development of their own market approach, offering guidance on relationship management, and working directly to oversee delivery in some cases.
- Agree and support managed staff in building capacity for themselves and smaller markets as required, and agree with EISS senior management an L&D approach.
Resources managed:
- Line Manage one B3 support officer in region (tbc)
- Graduate with a university degree relevant to the job
- At least 4 years of experience in a customer facing and/or trade related job
- Strong stakeholder management skills, comfortable dealing with senior officials and business people
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Working with regional and virtual teams
- Ability to adapt and work in a start-up environment
- Strong skills in Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint
- Additional technical qualifications relating to trade or programme management
- Local knowledge and network with relevant stakeholders in education and/or aid funded business
- Experience of dealing with governments
Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace
12 November 2021
C4 (L)
Full-time, Permanent
36
Asia Pacific
Philippines
Manila
British Embassy
1
PHP
PHP 87,140
15 January 2022
We place a strong emphasis on learning and development. You will be encouraged to undertake developmental training and take advantage of Departmental training within DIT and the Embassy.
There is plenty of opportunity to develop on the job, and to establish expertise in sectors of responsibility.
DIT Induction and sector training will be available for the successful candidate.
This role provides an excellent opportunity to build up experience and expertise of working across the UK Government.
This is a full time post. The post holder would be able to work flexibly through altered working hours (e.g. starting early or late, occasional remote work arrangements as agreed by line manager), provided they are able to make calls with colleagues and companies in the UK when necessary.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to developing its staff, working hard to provide a comprehensive L&D offer. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources and are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all the available opportunities. All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management.
The British Embassy has a formal flexible working policy and welcomes requests for flexible working arrangements, including non-standard working hours (however staff have to be available during opening hours to take calls from customers) or compressed hours. Team members can work from home however there are times staff must come to the office to deal with customers face to face.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, staff are actively encouraged to work from home to limit movement and exposure to others. This impacts normal team-working configurations and work-related travel, which can be discussed with the hiring manager.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Manila is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Philippine employment law.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.
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.
Candidates are expected to have a valid NBI Clearance.
All applications must be received before 23:55 Standard Philippine Time on the day of the deadline indicated above. Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.
Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.
To those applicants not shortlisted, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.
To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate on the application form /in your cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.