Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT
Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.
The British Embassy in Kyiv is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit an experienced Regional Agri-tech, Food and Drink Sector Lead.
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 and investment goals. The role is for a new regional Agri-tech, Food and Drink Sector Lead for DIT’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia region (EECAN) and is based in Kyiv, Ukraine. It is one of a number of regional sector leadership roles we’re creating to give us more sector specialism to push forward market access work in key sectors where we see the best opportunity to open new markets for UK businesses in sectors of key importance to the region.
The successful candidate will take on leadership of the Agri-tech, Food and Drink sector for EECAN working in close collaboration with our teams across the region, DIT’s London based sector team, market access & trade policy colleagues, and the EECAN Regional Hub. The post will be responsible for developing and driving our regional sector strategy to open and develop market opportunities and promote UK exports and investment. You will take a leadership role for the sector in the country in which based, and provide strategic co-ordination across market access and other trade activities for wider EECAN.
You will be the region’s expert and point of contact. You will lead colleagues across the region to identify and tackle those market access issues that matter most to UK businesses and then ensure that they are well placed to take advantage once opening occurs. You will also drive effective join up with our trade promotion activities.
The postholder will ultimately report to the Deputy Trade Commissioner but be line managed locally where they are based. You will need to ensure robust sectoral governance and performance monitoring is in place. This marks a key step in our journey to join up the region and deliver our commitments set out in our region trade strategy. There will be opportunities to travel to our other markets to support and provide coaching.
This region is a huge agricultural producer and increasingly a consumer of high quality British food and drink products. The agritech sector is also one where many of our markets are looking to modernise and access to newer technologies will make this possible. The UK is often a partner of choice. However, there are issues with access for food and drink products, where high taxation, poor IP enforcement and Export Health Certificates can often lead to unnecessary restrictions on UK businesses. This role will form relationships with the UK’s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and work closely with trade policy teams in London, the EECAN Regional Hub and teams in market to break down these barriers and ensure a concrete pipeline of UK businesses is in place to benefit. You will also guide and further develop our already strong regional trade promotion campaign in the Agri-tech, Food and Drink sector, linking this to the market access agenda.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver the EECAN Agri-tech regional sector trade plan to advise on market access activity in the sector with the goal of opening markets for UK businesses by tackling the key obstacles to trade and ensuring effective trade promotion;
- Provide support and share expertise with EECAN markets on Agri-tech, Food and Drink to deliver the plan. As part of this, support Agri-tech, Food and Drink teams across EECAN to identify and tackle market access barriers facing UK businesses and build our evidence base working closely with the Regional Hub and the UK Bilateral Trade Relations Team in DIT London;
- Lead trade sector work in your home market working with local DIT colleagues;
- Forge strong relationships with business leaders, trade associations and stakeholders/interlocutors in both the UK and your home market;
- As Deputy Director of the DIT Ukraine Team, engage with strategic planning, leadership and day-to-day management of the team of trade advisers, covering all sectors, as well as representational and other duties delegated by the Director. The DIT team is fully integrated with the rest of the British Embassy and the jobholder will play a part in Embassy-wide activities;
- As a part of the DIT EECAN senior leadership team, contribute to decisions on resource allocation, strategy and significant management decisions.
- Proficient level of Ukrainian and English (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
- At least 5 years of experience of working with, or within, government/ Agri-tech, Food and Drink sector/stakeholder management at all levels;
- In-depth understanding of the sector in your home market gained in a commercial or regulatory setting, i.e., analysing and dealing with complex regulatory environment and have a strong network on the ground. Ideally, a good knowledge of the sector across the wider EECAN region too. You will use this to drive our regional sector trade strategy and provide support to DIT colleagues working in the sector as the regional hub of expertise;
- Credible leader with good judgment and experience of operating both at a strategic and operational level. It will be important that you can quickly gain the trust and respect of those you work with;
- Strong networking skills and ability to build relationships with senior stakeholders and partners, and of using these to deliver your objectives;
- Excellent team player, able to build strong partnerships with colleagues to deliver;
- Very good collaboration, flexibility and resilient skills;
- Strong analytical skills and able to set out complex and technical issues clearly and concisely in both written and spoken communications.
- Proficient level of Russian (C1 level *) would be useful but not mandatory.
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Building Capability for All
11 January 2021
C5 (L)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
40
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Ukraine
Kyiv
British Embassy
1
3,969.15
15 February 2021
This is a fixed-term contract of one year (renewable) of 40 working hours per week including 1 hour per day for lunch.
The Embassy operates a flexible working scheme, allowing staff members to adjust daily start and finish times to meet personal and operational needs. Occasional working from home (up to 1 day per week) is also possible, subject to agreement from the Line Manager and regular reviews.
The British Embassy in Kyiv is committed to providing excellent training including, but not limited to, access to the UK’s Diplomatic Academy. There will be opportunities for further study of economics in a foreign policy context, and training in project management. With its combination of policy and service delivery, this job provides excellent developmental prospects. You will also have the opportunity to attend regular seminars and other events both in Ukraine and the UK.
All applicants should have the right to live and work in Ukraine. The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearance.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Kyiv is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Ukrainian employment law.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Please be advised that British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.
*Please refer to the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”. We are looking for a C1 level or equivalent. CEFR indicates Level C1 as mastery or proficiency level which can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.
Additional Information (due to COVID 19):
- You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;
- Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;
- Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.
To help us with our recruitment effort, please indicate on the application form /cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.