Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT
The Department for International Trade (DIT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DIT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender.
Main purpose of job
This is a dynamic role for an exceptional individual to join DIT’s Life Science and Healthcare Team. You will play a key role in supporting the DIT China region (China & Hong Kong) achieve its objectives as articulated in the Regional Trade Plan, in particular broadening and deepening the UK-China investment partnership, positioning the UK as the top European destination for Chinese investment and providing strong support for UK investors.
Context
The Department for International Trade (DIT) operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DIT promotes British trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs.
DIT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by Her Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China.
Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions and the largest DIT overseas network in the world. With c.190 staff across six posts – Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan. DIT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.
Detail
You will act as a regional specialist overseas champion for Life Sciences and the Agri-Food sector in the Northern Powerhouse (NPH). This forms part of the UK government’s agenda to increase trade and investment support in the UK regions.
You will build NPH’s reputation for technology and innovation alongside local and regional colleagues and develop a programme of activity to enhance the perception of NPH as a place to invest and do business with. You will have a specialist background in Life Science or agri business development in China with a track record of building relationships with senior buyers, opinion formers and policy makers. You will rapidly develop and maintain a specialist understanding in the of NPH’s offer in Advanced Therapies, Healthy Ageing, Infectious Diseases and Anti-microbial Resistance and Med Tech. You will also explore areas of agriculture, food and drink. These include opportunities in green packaging, animal husbandry, genetics, longer shelf lives, improved cold chain logistics, block chain traceability, as well as flavours and products.
You will be comfortable in agreeing direction and strategy with a senior leadership team at regular milestones while driving forward delivery independently. You will be confident in engaging C-suite business people and senior government officials across China’s regions. You will be able to flex your approach to work with post-revenue start-ups, Life Science SMEs, trade associations, Chinese MNCs, academics and policy makers.
You will also support NPH trade promotion and the ‘UK First’ principle in inward investment decisions. You will work closely with the UK Regions Investment hubs, DIT Sector teams, regional specialists, IST (Investment Services Team) and local partners to achieve this.
You will be mobile across China as necessary. You will be expected to travel to the NPH for training and to accompany Chinese delegations when international travel and quarantine restrictions become practicable.
Roles and responsibilities:
Strategy (20%)
- Develop and maintain a specialist knowledge of the NPH Life Science Offer for potential Chinese FDI, including: Advanced Therapies, Healthy Ageing, Infectious Diseases and Anti-microbial Resistance, Med Tech
- Develop and maintain specialist knowledge around the offer for food and drink, understanding which food and drink companies may have potential for investment into the UK and promoting the North as a location for investment
- Working with your colleague for NPH in China co-lead the direction, design and implementation of NPH’s inward investment strategy for China.
- Create and deliver a high impact communication plan for NPH in China that addresses both Chinese and UK audiences and recognises potential sensitivities.
Delivery & stakeholder engagement (50%)
- Proactively identify relevant investment prospects for NPH companies through market intelligence, connections and research and promote the NPH capability to key decision makers.
- Develop strong C-level relationships with targeted companies, government, stakeholders and influencers across China to enable NPH companies’ sector specialists to engage with them.
- Working with colleagues, Key Account Manage a pipeline of potential investors in the NPH
- Meet regularly with UK DIT team and relevant partners in the English regions, and where appropriate work on joint planning and delivery of events.
- Act as on the ground regional expert for potential projects, which require NPH input.
- Build capacity at post to ensure NPH Life Science sector propositions and relevant High Potential Opportunities are presented as options to potential investors.
- Engage effectively with colleagues and stakeholders based in NPH to provide market and sector briefings and to ensure that activity in the market aligns with corporate plans.
- Provide a monthly update on activity to local partners NP11 to ensure alignment with local ambitions and targeted local support.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationship with DIT UK Regions Investment hubs, regional sector specialists, DIT Sector colleagues and specialists, regional partners, the Investment Services Team (IST) and colleagues at post.
- Provide DIT sector specialists, UK Regions colleagues and local partners with in-country support including (but not limited to): contributing to briefing and reporting as required, facilitating official programmes, webinars and events, connecting visitors with senior stakeholders in market.
- Establish and drive a business network of Northerners working locally who can help to champion the region’s strengths.
Events, marketing & communications (20%)
- Ensure regional opportunities and expertise are fed into campaigns being run in local markets which are relevant to the strengths of NPH.
- Plan, deliver and monitor small targeted sector campaigns to showcase the business opportunities in NPH.
- Scope out and organise roundtables/seminars which UK regional sector specialists can deliver and ensure a strong audience of potential investors.
- Scope out relevant inward missions to NPH and recruit participants, working with UK based teams to organise and deliver the programme.
- Act as the point of contact for VIP visits/missions from NPH and ensure there are company and senior level meetings in place.
Network collaboration (10%)
- Foster a seamless working relationship with DIT and the wider ‘One HMG Health Network’. Make significant contributions to life science and investment related policy discussions with DIT, Health & Policy, SIN and UKRI. Ensure relevant information, opportunities and best practice are understood and shared across the network.
- Contribute to DIT China’s inward investment strategy and support FDI related learning and development across the network.
- Contribute to wider Embassy reporting, particularly on sector and NPH issues.
- Knowledge of Life Science and or Agriculture sectors.
- Minimum 5 years’ commercial experience.
- In depth knowledge and cross functional knowledge of the local business environment. Cultural awareness and functional knowledge of the local business environment.
- Experience of developing relationships and building influence with multiple stakeholders in the public and private sector.
- High-quality day-to-day data management.
- Excellent communication skills in English, both written verbal and spoken.
- Excellent communication skills in Mandarin, both written and spoken.
- Ability to draft succinct reports and provide briefing for generalist and specialist audiences, including for ministers, often to very tight deadlines.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Team player who can work on their own initiative and across virtual teams.
- An understanding of international business or trade practice.
- Knowledge of NPH Life Science sector strengths.
- Knowledge of NPH and UK investment landscape and priorities.
- Previous experience of working with the UK Government and understanding of NPH political landscape and/or experience of working with NPH local partners.
Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes
15 October 2020
C5 (L)
Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
35
Asia Pacific
China
Guangzhou, Shanghai
British Consulate General
1
Chinese Nationals: 31,626 | British Nationals: 41,214
7 December 2020
6 December 2022
We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross starting salary (before all deductions) for this position is CNY 31,626/month for Mainland China Nationals and an abated monthly salary of CNY 41,214/month for British Nationals and spouses/ partners (all nationalities) of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.
We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/ week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs. For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
The jobholder is not required to manage staff. The post-holder will be required to manage and deliver specific events within a pre-allocated budget.
The post-holder will be expected to make decisions delegated to him/her by NPH and DIT China management, and act within HMG’s China Network’s and DIT’s policies and guidelines.
Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):
Flexible working arrangements are always considered.
You will be required to travel within China and internationally, including one month’s training in the UK. You may need to travel to the UK every two to three months for short (1 week) trips.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain a local work permit.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local employment law.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Only short-listed applications will be called for personal interviews.
The Embassy is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
There is plenty of opportunity to develop on the job, and to establish expertise on trade policy. Specific areas and activities include:
- Courses and learning modules offered through the International Trade Profession and Diplomatic Academy.
- Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc.
- Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management, effective remote working and trade policy.
- Opportunities for job shadowing across the network.
- An individual bid fund providing funding to support more tailored learning and development needs.
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.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
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