British High Commission Jobs in Nairobi - Trade and Sector Support Officer Vacancies
British High Commission Jobs in Nairobi - Trade and Sector Support Officer Vacancies
The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.
We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.
We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.
We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
Overview
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the Trade Promotion and Negotiation organisation for the UK.
We promote UK businesses overseas and attract foreign investment to our shores. We have 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries. Our aspiration is to address some of the challenges facing the UK, by helping British businesses to internationalise and grow overseas.
DIT Africa is one of the nine DIT global networks and is led by Emma Wade-Smith, HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa, based in Johannesburg. Emma is supported by two Deputy Trade Commissioners, Rebecca Fisher Lamb (based in Nairobi) and Alastair Long (based in Cairo).
The Africa Region is exciting and energising and UK firms have a strong presence here, making the UK the second largest investor on the continent. With some of the strongest growing economies in the world and booming population growth, there are numerous more opportunities for UK firms; from tech start-ups in the West to infrastructure in the East. The Network’s role is to promote these opportunities and position the UK as the continent’s number one trading partner and investor.
Kenya has shown impressive rates of economic growth and levels of innovation over the last decade, attaining lower middle-income status, and a diversified economy.
This has helped reduce poverty rates, improve access to basic services and led to Kenya being dubbed the ‘Silicon Savannah’. Kenya has also made impressive strides on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index.
Kenya’s long-term development blueprint, ‘Vision 2030’, aims to create “a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life by 2030” and is aligned to the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The current Government has identified priority growth area to accelerate economic growth, focussed on: manufacturing, food security and nutrition, universal health coverage, and affordable housing, jointly referred to as the ‘Big Four Agenda’.
The UK has a long-standing and valued relationship with Kenya, increasingly focused on mutual prosperity. The UK is one of the largest investors in Kenya and there are opportunities across all sectors for the UK to bring its expertise to market.
DIT in Kenya
DIT in Kenya is based in Nairobi, and forms a core part of the British High Commission. On a daily basis, you will report to DIT Kenya Sector Advisors, and also to the Country Director for Kenya.
You will be a key part of the wider Prosperity team comprising DIT, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO),and Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) colleagues, all working to improve economic development, investment and trade between the UK and Kenya.
The Role
This is a great opportunity to work in an exciting and challenging environment on a high profile agenda within the British High Commission.
The primary objective of your role as Trade and Sector Support Officer is to provide support on sector work conducted by Sector Advisors in the team.
You will also be supporting on high-level visits (virtual included) hosted by the DIT team or the wider mission, ensuring smooth and seamless planning and logistics are in place.
You will manage the overall project, export and investment pipelines, with a key mandate of managing and updating the DIT Kenya Data hub.
You will additionally Lead the team’s Strategic Relationship Management (SRM) Programme – which involves the Country Director and relevant sector leads meeting with the top UK businesses in Kenya to discuss their priorities in market.
You Specific Responsibilities will Include:
You will support sector and trade advisors on priority sector work, to ensure it is focused on clear business objectives to maximise our impact.
You will work closely with UK and
Kenyan businesses and business support organisations to mobilise business behind the opportunities you and the team identify.
You will work independently and under the supervision of the sector advisors to develop and maintain relationships in the government and private sector, including to source and record UK export and investment opportunities, and promote commercial wins by UK companies.
You will draft sub-sector engagement strategies and obtaining timely and accurate market information on commercial projects while promoting UK strengths in the sector.
You will help create a strong pipeline of export and investment opportunities in the primary and secondary sectors, and develop priorities for engagement in collaboration with colleagues in DIT and FCDO.
You will help organise receptions and other events as required by customers to launch their products or offices in Kenya. This involves logistical arrangements and organising guest lists, locations, catering etc.
You will act as the visits support officer in the team, supporting the smooth programme design and delivery of high profile visits. As part of this you will meet visiting UK business people and briefing on their particular industry sector of interest.
You will participate in the arrangements for visiting UK trade missions, including administrative arrangements and contributions to briefing packs, attendance at briefings, and highlighting areas of opportunity in Kenya to members of the mission.
You will develop partnerships with DIT Regional Offices in the UK, DIT Sector Groups, as well as relevant Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations in Kenya.
You will respond to enquiries from local companies seeking information about potential contacts in the UK and posting export opportunities on the DIT website.
You will also support leads in delivering the UK component to major events and trade fairs in Kenya (e.g. UK-Kenya Economic Development Forum held biannually between UK and Kenyan governments).
Roles and Responsibilities
You will help establish a world-class business and investment support function in Kenya.
Map out existing British businesses in Kenya and prioritise relationship building with them.
Managing an events schedule that ensures maximum visibility of the UK offer, and partner with investment promotion agencies to promote mutual prosperity.
Build strategic relationships with business and other interlocutors to support your objectives.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Undergraduate degree (post-graduate or other relevant professional qualification preferred)
Relevant work experience in the private sector, or within a private-sector orientated part of Government or International Organisation
Experience of working in or with government departments, NGOs, and similar institutions
Proven track record of cross-team collaboration
Proven client facing experience, for example with an investment promotion agency or professional services firm
Fluency in the language of business and investment
Knowledge/experience of international development, or a willingness to learn
A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries, to build networks across the region
Knowledge of, and a keen interest in sustainable development (additional training will be given)
Excellent drafting skills
Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Experience of the following: business development, understanding issues and pursuing strategies together, investment appraisal, deal pipeline preparation.
Business experience in one or more of the following sectors in Kenya and/ or the UK: Energy, Infrastructure, Healthcare and Life Science, Manufacturing, Education, Financial and Professional Services and Technology.
At least 3-5 years professional work experience.
Commercial experience, including building deal pipelines.
Knowledge of the investment services contract and delivery mechanisms.
Experience of working in organisations with a matrix management structure.
Required Competencies
Collaborating and Partnering, Building Capability for All, Achieving Commercial Outcomes, Managing a Quality Service
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; British High Commission Jobs in Nairobi - Trade and Sector Support Officer Vacancies
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