Trade and Sector Support Officer B3 (38/20 NR) at British High Commission Nairobi

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.

UK in Kenya

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.
• Support UK exports to and investments in Kenya, and supporting their long-term ambitions.
• Be an integral part of the BHC Nairobi Prosperity team, working closely with colleagues from OGDs to advance UK commercial interests
• 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

Grade: B3 (L)

Starting monthly salary: KES 216,067.77

Start Date: 1 February 2020

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

Learning and development opportunities:

This role provides enormous opportunities to grow and develop given its leadership and cross-High Commission responsibilities. You will have access to the full suite of DIT and FCDO learning and development opportunities including the FCDO’s Diplomatic Academy, training in the UK, and will be encouraged to join DIT’s trade profession. We also provide regular in-house learning opportunities and are committed to supporting further academic opportunities. Our staff who demonstrate great leadership potential are encouraged to apply for the FCDO’s pan-African Emerging Leadership Programme.

Working patterns:

• Monday – Thursday: 7:30 – 15:30 Friday: 07:30 – 12:30
• Flexible working can be considered for the right candidate, but please note the following:
• You may be required to work a few evenings each month.
• You will be expected to travel to other cities in Kenya.  

Leave:

Members of staff are entitled to paid annual leave, which is earned, from the day they commence employment. Entitlements are as follows:

Grades B3 (L) 30 days

In addition to annual leave, the BHC normally observes no fewer than 9 and no more than 14 Kenyan and British public and religious holidays in a year. These vary from year to year and are at the discretion of the High Commissioner. A list of holidays is published each year.                                         

Additional information  

• Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
• The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Nairobi are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Kenya.
• It is essential that the applicants already have the right to live and work in Kenya without the need to apply for a work permit
• Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
• Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: Job grade AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.