Trade and Investment Officer Full-Time

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.

Main purpose of job:

Reporting to the Head of DIT, the candidate will be responsible for helping UK companies to win business in Mozambique and support the delivery of the DIT Regional Trade Plan. The candidate will be expected to manage client/business relationships to ensure the highest standards of satisfaction and will have specific responsibility for certain priority sectors for DIT Mozambique; developing and delivering on new opportunities. Understanding of marketing techniques and the importance of upholding the brand and reputation of UK with its many interlocutors will be key.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Deliver front line business facing work, growing UK exports and investment to/in Mozambique. The primary focus will be in the energy, infra, financial services and agribusiness sectors, but this may change as commercial priorities evolve;
• Identifying and generating commercial opportunities, providing professional advice and high-quality market analysis to UK companies and facilitating introductions and providing the other support required for companies to win contracts;
• Establish the UK as a partner of choice for the priority sectors identified (Oil and Gas, Renewable Energy, Infrastructures, Financial and Professional Services and Agriculture);
• Plan and delivering targeted campaigns and activities in these sectors aimed at increasing the demand for UK goods and services in Mozambique;
• Contribute to achieving business plan targets and for ensuring services are charged for, where applicable;
• Provide support to individual companies through DIT chargeable services helping them to take informed decisions about their market strategy;
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate client information via DIT online database;
• Work with government contacts to identify opportunities and promote UK companies;
• Attend appropriate functions/events/meetings aimed to build a network of contacts across government and the private sector and identify business opportunities at the earliest stage. Keep DIT informed about key sector developments and to update our database. Written briefing and draft responses in sectors of responsibility will also be required;
• Identify projects and funding to help achieve the above objectives, monitoring performance and budget according to best practice;
• Lead in organisation of trade promotion events and facilitate visiting UK business delegation;
• Promote, where relevant, the financing products offered by UK Export Finance, the British government’s Export Credit Agency, to support companies win contracts;
• Contribute flexibly and fully to the work of the DIT Africa Team, and exporting successful campaign approaches to other relevant markets across Africa;
• Contribute flexibly and fully to the work of the Embassy as a whole to ensure collaborative, joined up working.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Bachelors degree in Economics, international management or in a related field
• 2 years minimum work experience;
• A high level of written English and Portuguese and fluent in both;
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills;
• Good report writing skills;
• Experience of organising and leading projects and taking decisions independently;
• Experience of delivering on behalf of clients;
• Problem solving ability and drive to deliver results to tight deadlines and within set budgets.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Knowledge of the government institutions and structure of the business world in Mozambique;
• A commercial experience;
• Knowledge of the Oil and Gas industry.

Required competencies

• Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace

Additional information

• The position is for a 12 month renewable contract;
• Please complete the application form in full. Failure to do so may result in a determination that you do not meet the requirements for the position;
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Maputo are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Mozambique;
• All applicants must be legally able to work in Mozambique with the correct visa/status or 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;
• Reference and security clearances checks will be conducted;
• Any questions you may have about this position will be answered during the interview, should you be invited;
• 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;
• Successful candidates not resident in Mozambique will be personally liable for costs and arrangements to relocate;
• Check your application and attachments before you submit your application, as you will not be able to make any changes once submitted;
• The British High Commission will never ask you to pay a fee or money to apply for a position.