View Vacancy – Regional Director for Africa – Northern Ireland Trade & Investment (17/21 JHB)

Main purpose of job:

Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) (www.investni.com) is part of the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom (UK). It is Northern Ireland’s principal business development agency with responsibility for supporting the growth of the Northern Ireland economy through the development of its businesses locally and internationally, bringing greater economic benefit and prosperity to this region of the UK.

Operating in over 20 international cities, Invest NI’s overseas offices are responsible for supporting Northern Ireland companies in developing business overseas thus increasing export sales, developing collaborations and marketing Northern Ireland as an inward investment location.

Invest NI works closely with a wide range of clients including local businesses, multi-national companies, universities and colleges. Invest NI also works closely with business associations and stakeholders such as the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT), Chambers of Commerce, the British Council, industry bodies, local councils in Northern Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Invest NI wishes to appoint the role of Regional Director – Africa (Appointee), who will be be based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Reporting to the Head of Territory, India, Middle East and Africa (the ‘HoT’) (who is based in Dubai), the Appointee will be Invest NI’s most senior representative in Africa, responsible for developing market strategy, providing strategic advice and leading the in-market team to deliver a range of activities with the ultimate goal of securing trade and investment wins for Northern Ireland. The primary focus of the position will be:

• Trade development across all key business sectors, opening new markets and helping Northern Ireland companies to increase export sales to the region;
• Promotion of Northern Ireland as a location for inward investment and infrastructure investment; and
• To raise Northern Ireland’s profile for business and education purposes and develop diaspora network

The Appointee will carry trade and investment targets for Africa. He or she will develop in-market strategy for our key target markets, represent Invest Northern Ireland at business conferences / events and co-ordinate targeted activities such as marketing, promotional events and exhibitions. Invest NI clients are primarily businesses and education establishments and the Appointee will direct and undertake research as necessary, prepare market reports and meeting programmes and provide advice to them about doing business in key markets in Africa.

The Appointee will work closely with the wider Invest NI teams based in its Belfast headquarters, in the IMEA region and other locations. The Appointee will be required to forge effective working relationships with a wide range of businesses, partners / stakeholders and government departments at senior level.

The Appointee will be required to monitor expenditure and deliver activities within a pre-allocated budget. In addition, as part of the post EU Exit and the Northern Ireland Covid recovery plan, the post-holder will facilitate the expansion of Invest NI’s footprint and resources in the Africa.

The Appointee is expected to undertake travel* on a regular basis(travel will be subject to Covid restrictions), either within Africa, to the UK, UAE and other countries as required.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Develop in-market strategy for key target markets (existing and new) in Africa to Northern Ireland’s trade and investment capabilities which contributes to the overall goals of the IMEA territory and Invest NI’s International and Business strategies:
• Open new markets for Northern Ireland companies and introduce them to new business opportunities;
• Seek opportunities for potential inward investment to Northern Ireland;
• Promote Northern Ireland Education sector; and
• Facilitate the expansion of Invest NI’s presence in Africa, as part of the organisation’s post EU Exit and Covid recovery action plan
• Implement an agreed market strategy covering Africa region to promote Northern Ireland, help Northern Ireland companies to increase export sales and to secure investment wins for Northern Ireland
• Lead the team to proactively identify business opportunities relevant to Northern Ireland companies through market intelligence, connections and research and promote the Northern Ireland capability to key decision makers in the key target markets
• Support Northern Ireland companies interested in the region by providing information they require to make informed business decisions by handling market research and assessment enquiries, conducting visits and setting up appointments and writing appropriate reports
• Develop a strong network of strategic relationships, particularly at senior level and C-level, with industry leaders and senior government officials, stakeholders and influencers and to maximise opportunities for the long-term benefits of Northern Ireland’s and wider UK economy
• Build strong relationships with British Diplomatic posts and Business Groups, DIT, FCDO, Northern Ireland Government representatives and the British Council and collaborate where appropriate with the other devolved administrations; the Irish Embassy and Enterprise Ireland
• Engage effectively with colleagues and stakeholders based in Northern Ireland to provide market and sector briefings and to ensure that activity in the market aligns with corporate plans
• Direct and manage in-market support for company visits, trade missions, events and exhibitions
• Manage VIP (including Ministerial delegations) visit programme, prepare briefings and oversee all necessary logistics and protocols;
• Strategically targeting and representing Invest NI at key business functions for the purposes of business development;
• Develop a network of Northern Ireland ex-pats that are living/working in the region and work with Northern Irish Connections to lever economic returns for Northern Ireland; Leverage the strategic Northern Irish diaspora and act as the lead representative for the local Northern Irish Diaspora initiative throughout Africa
• Identify priorities, set and manage annual budgets to ensure the successful delivery of business objectives in Africa
• Prepare reports (including activity / performance / market reports) accurately and timely for management and clients  
• Manage relevant information sources and maintain accurate recording of customer and stakeholder information on Invest NI’s CRM and management systems

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Manage a Trade & Investment Advisor based in Johannesburg, and new staffing / resources in other Africa cities (not yet recruited at this time)
• Manage the Trade advisory network for Invest NI in Africa
• Prepare an annual budget for the region and manage expenditure in line with approved budget as agreed with the Head of Territory and necessary corporate governance guidelines

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• A minimum of 10 years’ recent* successful business development experience, including managing and undertaking market research, analysis and presenting market data, advising clients, achieving business outcomes (such as sales), formulating and implementing business strategies, driving team performance
• A sound business knowledge of Africa (principally South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana) and the commercial opportunities across key business sectors, including issues and solutions relating to relating to doing business and exporting to this region
• A recent successful track record in developing and maintaining relationships with senior executives, industry leaders and government officials to achieve positive business outcomes
• Successful experience in working collaboratively with business contacts and colleagues in the UK, Africa and other locations
• Successful experience in leading and managing staff in an multi-location office environment
• Excellent communication skills; an ability to work collaboratively and effectively with business contacts and colleagues
• Strong IT computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Office, Internet and Social Media

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Exceptional spoken and written English (may be tested)