Regional Trade Policy Officer, Southern Africa – Department for International Trade (07/22 JHB) at British High Commission

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)  
Overview

The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the UK’s Trade Promotion and Negotiation organisation. 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 Alastair Long, Acting HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa. The Africa Region is exciting and energising and UK firms have a strong presence here, making the UK the 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.

Roles and responsibilities:

• You will lead work to shape the UK’s trade policy in Southern Africa, working in a matrix function between DIT Africa, the wider FCDO network in Southern Africa, and the teams in London ultimately accountable for trade policy.
• The primary vehicle of UK trade policy in Southern Africa is the Southern African Customs Union + Mozambique – UK Economic Partnership Agreement. You will be one of the key internal and external focal points based in the region for engagement on the agreement. You will also have responsibility for considering wider elements of trade policy, including but not limited to: services and investment, digital, public procurement, intellectual property, and multilateral issues at the WTO.
• You will already have a good understanding of trade policy fundamentals. Success will mean quickly immersing yourself in the wider trade policy environment while getting a comprehension of the regional dynamics and context. The role will report into the D6/G7 Regional Trade Policy Adviser also based in Johannesburg, while working closely with the central Africa Trade Policy team, based in Accra, Ghana. You will need to quickly develop your relationships with the key teams in Post as well as with relevant departments across Whitehall, establishing yourself as the trade policy link between the network and Trade Policy Group in DIT, DIT Africa teams, and FCDO.

Working to the Regional Trade Policy Adviser for Southern Africa, your primary objectives will be:

Trade Policy (50%)

• Lead work to identify how trade policy can make a positive and practical difference on the ground to businesses, drawing linkages between market conditions and these possible solutions. This spans the full span of possibilities, from direct changes and improvements to the existing free trade agreement to enhancing cooperation mechanisms. While being aware of political and social sensitivities, you will work strategically, creatively and use precedent where appropriate to identify opportunities in trade policy, outside of a traditional trade agreement. You will be responsible for driving these solutions forward in a coordinated and considered way with your HMG colleagues to ensure they are consistent with our objectives.
• Lead in the planning of numerous major events and trade-related dialogues (including Ministerial economic/development forums), maximising the potential from both set-piece events and more ad-hoc engagements in order to drive progress on our agenda. You will have the opportunity to create and establish some of these for the first time.
• Create and maintain realistic delivery plans for trade policy, reporting to both HQ and country boards in order that the wider HMG network is appropriately appraised of progress.

External Engagement (30%) 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with host Governments, local institutions and business to influence and progress our trade policy objectives. Representing the UK and working closely with the in-country DIT trade advisors, you will establish commercial connections and influence a network of Trade counterparts.
• You will be a champion for trade and the commercial and economic benefits it can bring to developing countries. You should spend a proportion of your time seeking to assist the business community across Southern Africa to help on their exporting journey. You should encourage green and sustainable investment in the region that unlocks genuine economic growth.

Leadership and Management (20%)

• Build relationships and work closely with other Trade Policy and Market Access officers in London and throughout the Africa network.
• Provide timely reporting on changes to trade policy within your Posting and assist colleagues in London to develop and implement an engagement strategy with the country.
• Work closely with trade promotion colleagues to ensure businesses are aware of increased market access and can take advantage of any changes
• All of this makes for an exciting, busy and varied job with plenty of travel opportunities. You will be a dynamic leader with good communication skills and able engage credibly with senior people.  You will be good at thinking strategically and planning for the future, coming up with creative solutions to challenging problems. You will have a proven ability to build good relationships with stakeholders and clients. You will be an exceptional team player, able to work closely with colleagues across the High Commission to ensure strategic activity is joined up and well represented across the One-HMG platform, and have the confidence to represent to interests of the SA trade team and its people.
• South Africa is a culturally and racially diverse country, with a complex history. You will be skilled in navigating diverse social and cultural environments and committed to creating an inclusive workplace.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Deep and extensive knowledge of trade policy, with approximately three years professional (or other substitutable) experience.
• Postgraduate degree and/or undergraduate degree and other relevant professional qualification.
• Experience of working in or with government departments, NGOs, and similar institutions.
• Proven track record of cross-team collaboration
• A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges.
• Excellent drafting skills.

Language requirements:

• Language: Fluent English.
• Knowledge of Portuguese is an advantage, but by no means required

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Knowledge/experience of international development, or a willingness to learn
• Knowledge/experience of international economics

Required competencies  

• Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering

Application deadline  

• 24, February 2022

Salary  

• R 57,998.06

Start Date  

• 1, April 2022

Other benefits and conditions of employment  
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

• 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 FCO learning and development opportunities including the FCO’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 FCO’s pan-African Emerging Leadership Programme.
• ODA training will be provided.

The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses/partners and dependants.

• Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9% of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.
• Annual leave entitlement of 25 days
• Working hours per week of 36.5

Additional information  

• Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.