British High Commission Currently Recruiting

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

Job Title: Trade Services Manager (18/16 ACCRA)

Job Summary

• Application deadline: 1 December 2016
• Grade: B3 (L)
• Type of Position: Fixed Term
• Duration of Post: 24 months
• Starting monthly salary: GHS 4,180
• Start Date: 3 January 2017

Roles and Responsibilities

West Africa is a growing and diverse region with opportunities accords a range of sectors that the UK has expertise in. It has significant long-term economic potential with vast natural resources and a young and growing population. As a result West Africa offers a wide array of business opportunities , especially in the oil and gas sector but also increasingly in areas such as renewable energy, infrastructure and agriculture. Current trade figures are good but we want to do better.

As part of the British Government’s commitment to increasing UK exports worldwide to £1 trillion by 2020, the UK’s trade team in West Africa, with offices in Lagos, Abuja, Accra, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea,and Senegal is developing a trade strategy to identify and better tap into this vast potential and increase trade between the UK and West Africa.  The Ghana team is also shifting to a regional approach, working with trade colleagues in Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea and Senegal to maximize the trading relationship with the UK across West Africa.

We are looking for a highly organised person with a strong attention to detail, ability to take the initiative, work accurately within deadlines and with limited supervision, and be a strong team member who works collaboratively.  Note that this role does not cover Nigeria which is managed separately, but you will liaise closely with your counterpart in Nigeria to ensure a consistent regional approach.

Main purpose of job

To build interest among UK business in exporting their goods or services to Ghana and other parts of West Africa; to work closely with British companies exploring their exporting options in the region; to provide market insight and sector-specific analysis according to their needs (on a chargeable basis); identify export opportunities for UK companies and to support the UK Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) to transfer over time trade services.

Key Responsibilities

• Working with the Regional Future Opportunities team leader, based in Lagos, to understand the business sectors in Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Camerron, Senegal, Guinea and Sierra Leone with the greatest potential for British companies to succeed in, outside of oil and gas;
• Develop a comprehensive research strategy covering Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea and Sierrla Leone to seek out potential big high value opportunities in the multi million pound range, to help enable UK companies to achieve maximum opportunity of winning contracts;
• Develop a coherent and compelling evidence base to demonstrate the multi-million pound scale of these opportunities in the afore mentioned markets;
• Work with UK companies to help position them for business success, to demonstrate the value and potential in new sectors; Work with colleagues in East and Southern Africa, Scottish Development International, Department for International Development and Prosperity Officers in our offices to identify synergies and linkages between current and future business opportunities across Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Work with the West Africa Trade Director, Head of Trade for Ghana, High Commissioners/Ambassadors in the afore mentioned posts to plan and undertake visits to the region in a carefully co-ordinated fashion, where the best potential opportunities have been identified;
• Work with the UK Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC) to co-ordinate delivery of services to UK business with a view to transitioning these over time.

Roles and responsibilities

• Support the Future Opportunities team leader in Lagos to build a coherent plan to develop potential opportunities into actual business success for UK companies;
• Work with the Trade Advisers in Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Senegal and Guinea to contribute to delivery of the team’s business targets and ensuring opportunities and interactions in these posts are communicated and shared with the team in a timely manner.
• Build relationships with Regional Government Departments in the afore mentioned countries, agencies,   companies and other organisations, to support the trade team’s ability to help British companies position themselves appropriately to land business deals.
• Develop a coherent and targeted travel plan for the Deputy Head of Trade, Ghana to pursue business matters and build further insight into opportunities across the afore mentioned countries, providing timely reports to the trade team of such meetings and activity.Work closely with colleagues across the UK Government platform in these countires to share information and co-ordinate trade-relevant visits and activity;
• Attend some out of hours events, such as receptions, to build relationships with relevant Nigerian contacts.

Required Skills or Experience

Desirable qualifications and experience  

• 2+ years of relevant experience especially in large, complex environments;
• Prior experience of working with the UK Government;
• Line Management experience.

Essential qualifications and experience  

• Strong oral and written English communication skills;
• Excellent IT skills with ability in MS Office suite applications e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint;
• Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines;
• Resourcefulness in solving problems;
• Good interpersonal skills and comfortable dealing with high level officials;
• Flexible;
• Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail;
• Superior professionalism and judgment;
• Strong work ethic.

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

How To Apply

Additional information

• This role is Accra based and reports to the Deputy Head of Trade, DIT Ghana
• There will be travel requirements and opportunities both within Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea and Sierra Leon.
• All applicants must be legally able to work in Ghana with the correct visa/status or work permit.
• Staff members recruited locally by the British High Commission in Accra are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Ghanaian employment law.
• Spouses/registered partners of UK Based Staff, are able to work within the BHC but their salary will be abated at the appropriate tax rates.
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted.
• 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 Ghana will be personally liable for costs and arrangements to relocate, including accommodation and work permits.

The British High Commission will never ask you to pay a fee or money to apply for a position.

Interested applicants should apply by clicking on the link:

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.