View Vacancy – Senior Market Access Policy Advisor – Maternity cover (UZB21.068)

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 Tashkent is part of the UK’s global diplomatic network and we are now looking to recruit a temporary Senior Market Access Policy Advisor on a 12 month fixed term contract (maternity cover), who will work in and manage the Department of International Trade (DIT) team based in the Embassy.

This is an exciting time to be working in DIT. With its role to promote UK’s business interests worldwide, the successful candidate will contribute to the UK’s prosperity by leading the small DIT commercial team in the Embassy, contributing to the enhancement of the bilateral trade and investment relations between the UK and Uzbekistan.

The candidate will also be responsible for leading on market access issues in a rapidly changing and reforming economy by understanding the current, policy and regulatory framework, with the aim of increasing the number of British companies entering the market and improving trade access issues between the UK and Uzbekistan.

This is a high profile, outward facing role, which requires strong interpersonal skills in order to develop and maintain high- level relationships across a number of Government Ministries and senior business figures, as well as wider senior stakeholders too. The jobholder will also build and utilise a significant support network in Uzbekistan and the UK, across both governments and trade bodies, as well as international trade and development organisations. They will also be responsible for managing the small team and financial budgets, as well as contributing to the wider work of the Embassy.

Roles and responsibilities:

Lead the Commercial team at the Embassy, with the aim of boosting bilateral trade and investment relations between UK and Uzbekistan and increase market share of UK services and products in priority sectors such as Clean Energy, Education, Financial Sector and Healthcare in Uzbekistan, through successful organisation of trade missions, events and marketing activities;

Lead on priority Market Access barriers already identified in Uzbekistan with the aim of resolving these, working closely with colleagues in Istanbul, London, and working to identify any new trade barriers;

Senior stakeholder engagement including:

• With UK companies to help support their activities in market and to understand their needs, what the main barriers are and analyse how policy changes undertaken by the Uzbekistan government affects them.
• With the Uzbekistan Government to understand what reforms the Uzbekistan government are trying to implement to open up the business and investment environment in the country, identifying risks and opportunities. Provide strategic advice on where the UK can offer advice/assistance to help achieve these changes/goals. 
• With UK Government partners to identify where we can support their activities in the areas of trade and investment.  
• With IFI’s locally on economic reform/governance

The role requires strong interpersonal and organisational skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships; the confidence to negotiate between senior internal and external government stakeholders will be of particular benefit. It requires close teamwork, supporting wider UK objectives too.

 The jobholder needs to be a confident self-starter, a team player with excellent communication skills, and the ability to network with a wide range of contacts at senior levels in government, international agencies and the private sector.

• Proficient in English, Russian and Uzbek (both written and spoken, minimum of C1 level according to the CEFR framework* / IELTS level 6.5 or above)
• Degree in business, economics, management, finance or related field;
• Three to five years professional work experience in relevant area, preferably with exposure to policymaking;
• An extensive knowledge and understanding of the business environment in Uzbekistan;
• Ability to set and meet own priorities and work with limited supervision;
• Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines and resourcefulness in solving problems;
• Good interpersonal and networking skills, including the ability to deal comfortably with high-level officials and contacts;
• Excellent drafting skills;