International Trade and Market Intelligence Manager at ITM Kenya Ltd

We seek a confident, mature candidate for this role. The ideal individual should have strong analytical, communication, and project management skills, with expertise in trade regulations, market research, and data analysis tools. Proficiency in stakeholder engagement and strategic planning is essential. A deep understanding of Kenya-UK trade relations and experience in building relationships with government bodies, trade missions, and business communities will be an added benefit. Fluency in English is essential.

Responsibilities

Job Description

• Trade Promotion and Market Development
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the role in promoting international trade and market intelligence.
• Identify new market opportunities and trade partnerships for businesses in Kenya and the United Kingdom.
• Assist member companies in navigating international trade regulations, tariffs, and export/import procedures.
• Conduct comprehensive market research studies to gather data on UK-Kenya market trends, customer preferences, and industry dynamics.
• Member Support and Advisory Services:
• Advise members on export readiness, international business strategies, and market entry requirements.
• Offer guidance on international standards, compliance, and certification requirements.
• Provide support in developing export marketing plans, conducting market research, and understanding customer needs and buying behaviours.
• Market Intelligence
• Design and develop the market intelligence scope and implementation plan (identify key industries in both economies and deep dive into the necessary details)
• Review industries to understand who the key players are and identify gaps in production value chains to package them as investment opportunities.
• Engage industry players in roundtables for discussions on policy improvements and
• discussion on likely solutions to the gaps identified.
• With support from Advisory Services firms and other partners, formulate the most effective interventions.
• Proactively identify industry players that can collaborate to drive investments in the areas of intervention identified.
• Collaborate with other chambers and associations to create ecosystem-wide interventions.
• Aim to build capacity to deliver on the new direction and re-arrange structure to focus on the key services - Market Intelligence, Business Advisory, Matchmaking, Event organisation, and the presence or 'footprint' in Kenya and the UK. Networking and Relationship Management:
• Establish and maintain relationships with international trade organisations, foreign embassies, consulates, and government agencies.
• Coordinate and facilitate trade missions, business delegations, and networking events to promote bilateral trade between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
• Act as a representative of the British chamber at international trade fairs, exhibitions, and conferences.

Data Management and Reporting:

• Develop and manage databases and dashboards to track market intelligence data and trends between Kenya and the United Kingdom
• Prepare detailed reports, market analyses, and trade briefs for internal use and member businesses.
• Generate regular and ad-hoc reports to communicate market intelligence findings and trade opportunities to stakeholders.

Strategic Planning and Support:

• Support the strategic planning process by providing data-driven insights on market conditions, growth opportunities, and competitive positioning.
• Contribute to the development of business strategies, marketing plans, and go-to- market approaches.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including marketing, sales, finance, and product development, to align market intelligence with business objectives.

Event Planning and Coordination:

• Plan and organise international trade-related events, including trade missions, business forums, and B2B matchmaking sessions.
• Evaluate event outcomes and provide feedback to improve future programs.

Vendor and Stakeholder Management:

• Manage relationships with external research vendors and data providers to ensure access to high-quality and relevant information.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to align research activities with business needs and priorities.
• Evaluate and select research tools and platforms to enhance data collection and analysis capabilities.
• Reporting
• The International Trade and Market Intelligence will report directly to the CEO of the BCCK.

Requirements

Education/ Formal Qualifications

• A master’s degree in international business, Economics, Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field. An equivalent bachelor’s degree with relevant experience in the above fields could be considered.
• Professional certifications in International Trade, Market Research, or Business Analysis are desirable.
• At least 3-6 years of experience in international trade, market research, or business advisory roles.

Experience

• Previous experience working with trade associations, chambers of commerce, or in an international business environment is preferred.
• Experience in conducting market research data analysis and visualization for clear communication related to trade and investment.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to international trade is an added advantage.
• Systems/ Processes
• Familiarity with CRM systems and project management tools. Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong understanding of international trade processes, including export/import procedures, trade regulations, and compliance.
• Familiarity with trade agreements and economic relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
• Proficiency in market research tools and software, such as SPSS, Power BI, or similar data analysis platforms.

Skills

• Ability to conduct comprehensive market research
• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights.
• Ability to identify market trends, industry dynamics, and business opportunities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective interaction with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong presentation skills to deliver insights and recommendations to senior management and member businesses.
• Ability to simplify complex information for various audiences.