Trade Adviser on Infrastructure & Transport, Department for International Trade (DIT) at the British High Commission

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.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:

Job Title: Trade Adviser on Infrastructure & Transport, Department for International Trade (DIT), British Deputy High Commission Lagos, Nigeria

Location: Lagos
Grade: C4 (L)
Type of Position: Fixed Term, Full-time
Job Category: Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Job Subcategory: Department for International Trade (DIT)

Main Purpose of Job

• Based in the UK Government’s trade team in Nigeria to lead work on Infrastructure & Transport with a   primary focus on maximising the export of British goods and services to the Infrastructure   & Transport sectors in Nigeria and West Africa.
• This will include building relationships  with major players in the relevant sectors in Nigeria and other markets in West Africa to help identify potential opportunities for UK firms ; and supporting British companies and facilitating commercial partnerships that   result in British businesses landing deals that generate exports from the UK.
• It will also involve working closely with the  UK’s Department for International Trade's Infrastructure & Transport  teams and specialists, based in London, along with UK government teams across the UK and UK Export Finance, as well as colleagues inNigeria, Ghana and beyond.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa,   the continent’s   largest oil producer and population coupled with long-established cultural and commercial links with the UK.
• It has huge long-term economic potential with vast natural resources and a young and growing population. As a result Nigeria 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 Nigeria, with offices in both Lagos   and Abuja, is developing a trade strategy to identify and better tap into   this vast potential and increase trade between the UK and West Africa.
• The Nigeria team is also shifting to a regional approach, working with trade colleagues in Ghana, Guinea, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal to maximise 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.

Key Responsibilities

• Identifying and delivering a pipeline of commercial opportunities in Nigeria and wider West Africa for UK companies in the Infrastructure and Transport sectors, in consultation with the relevant teams and specialists in the UK’s Department for International Trade and the Trade Director for West Africa .
• Developing and implementing a multi-year High Value Campaign for Infrastructure and Transport in West   Africa to support UK companies in bidding for and winning multi-million pound  commercial deals.
• You will lead West Africa’s   trade activity in the infrastructure and transport sectors, working closely   with colleagues in Nigeria, Ghana and elsewhere to identify opportunities for   UK companies to pursue major commercial deals, building a healthy pipeline of   potential deals; and working with British businesses to best position them  for success;
• You will work closely with   the UK Department for International Trade’s infrastructure and transport   teams and experts to develop and implement a multi-year campaign that enables UK companies to land multi-million pound contracts;
• You will work with colleagues in Nigeria and wider West Africa to develop good relationships with sector-specific business people and government leaders, to support the aspirations of British businesses in pursuit of major deals;
• Line Management responsibility for the Infrastructure & Transport Team (currently 1   Intern in Nigeria) and delivering through others across the trade teams in West Africa.
• You will lead West Africa’s   trade activity in the infrastructure and transport sectors, working closely   with colleagues in Nigeria, Ghana and elsewhere to identify opportunities for   UK companies to pursue major commercial deals, building a healthy pipeline of   potential deals; and working with British businesses to best position them   for success;
• You will work closely with   the UK Department for International Trade’s infrastructure and transport   teams and experts to develop and implement a multi-year campaign that enables   UK companies to land multi-million pound contracts;
• You  will work with colleagues in Nigeria and wider West Africa to develop good   relationships with sector-specific business people and government leaders, to   support the aspirations of British businesses in pursuit of major deals;
• Line Management   responsibility for the Infrastructure & Transport Team (currently 1   Intern in Nigeria) and delivering through others across the trade teams in  West Africa.

Essential Qualifications and Experience  

• Have worked within Nigeria's Infrastructure and Transport sectors for a minimum 2 years;
• Strong oral and written English communicationskills;
• Excellent IT skills with ability in MS Office suite applications e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint;
• Ability to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines;
• Resourcefulness in solving problems;Good interpersonal skills and  comfortable dealing with high level officials and senior business people;
• Flexible, adaptable and resilient;
• Strong organizational skills and keen attention to detail;
• Superior professionalism and judgment;
• Strong work ethic

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:  

• 2+ years of relevant experience especially in large, complex environments in particular sales;
• Prior experience of working with the UK Government;
• Experience of working with multi-year campaigns

Required Competencies: 

• Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes, Managing a Quality Service

Remuneration
Starting monthly salary: N704,848

Application Closing Date  
20 November 2016

Start Date  
1st January, 2017

End Date  
31st December, 2017

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• 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 Lagos are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
• All applicants must be legally able to work in the country of application 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  
• 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.