Trade Manager

Main purpose of role: This is a hugely exciting role at a vital time for the UK-Vietnam relationship. Following ambitious climate commitments made by Vietnam at the COP26 summit in the UK, the country’s domestic renewable energy sector has the potential to develop rapidly. This role will see you leading the UK’s industry offer on renewables, promoting offshore wind and solar, and helping to connect UK businesses with opportunities in Vietnam’s market. The Department for International Trade (DIT) was established July 2016 to promote UK and global prosperity by championing international trade.  The DIT Team in Vietnam has a network of 2 trade teams based in the British Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, spanning key strategic sectors for the UK. Renewable energy has been a core priority for DIT Vietnam in recent years, reflecting the meteoric growth of the solar sector, and now of wider renewables opportunities in Vietnam. In this role you will lead on renewable energy strategy and sector promotion for the UK DIT. You will lead DIT activity across the energy sector, working closely with your counterpart in Hanoi to build and maintain a strong network of commercial and government contacts. You will promote UK industry and policy expertise, leveraging this to strengthen Vietnam’s energy capability, and to elevate the UK’s support for Vietnam’s clean energy transition. You will ensure effective join up with political and development colleagues across the Consulate and Embassy to build a coherent and effective network approach to our climate and renewable energy activity. You will have excellent relationships with UK businesses and key Vietnamese stakeholders. Your role will contribute significantly to Vietnam’s ambitious 2050 Net Zero target, announced by Prime Minister Chinh at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow. The successful candidate will need an in-depth knowledge of the energy sector.  You will need to be able to communicate this to a British audience and be able to articulate the opportunities for British companies to increase their exports to Vietnam. You will need to be a self-starter, able to manage your own time effectively, evaluating options, impacts, risks and solutions – knowing when and how to seek advice from others.  You will also be expected to make a positive contribution to the wider DIT and One-HMG team across the Vietnam network.  Occasional travel to Hanoi will be required. Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

• Your primary role will be to assist UK companies in the energy sector to do business in Vietnam, including management of our strategic relationships with relevant Government departments and with key stakeholders in the sector. You will be expected to identify new projects needing UK expertise and work with the UK to source that expertise.
• You will be the HCMC lead for DIT energy projects. This role is ideally suited to someone who is proactive and comfortable working under limited supervision – coming up with their own solutions to problems – but knowing when and how to seek advice from others. You should also be a strong networker who seeks out new relationships while maintaining current relationships. You will also be expected to make a positive contribution to the wider DIT and British government team which will include working closely with colleagues in the Embassy in Hanoi and British Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, British Chamber Vietnam and the wider ASEAN region.
• You will be expected to liaise with numerous stakeholders including UK Export Finance (UKEF) in the UK to identify possible areas for collaboration and viable projects for UKEF funding. Similarly, you will be expected to seek out opportunities in the sector for aid funded business projects such as those supported by the World Bank and the European Development Bank. You will also keep an eye on inward investment opportunities that arise when collaborating with Vietnamese counterparts.

Develop opportunities for British Businesses in energy markets – 60% Work with companies, organisations and individuals who may be sources of opportunities for UK companies, formulating and managing a stakeholder engagement plan for these companies. Lead on renewable energy strategy and planning. Work closely with the British Chamber to alert British Businesses to project opportunities. Develop and manage sector pipeline and stakeholder mapping strategies for the sectors to deliver DIT objectives – working with the region and political/development counterparts as relevant. Deliver export wins and produce quarterly updates to review activity. Deliver successful trade related promotional activity – 15% Work with the wider Trade Team as required, including providing support to trade missions, VVIP visits, seminars, webinars, receptions and other events to promote the UK – leading these events when required. Lead on DIT energy projects – 25% Use project management techniques to successfully deliver projects on time and within budget, working closely with the prosperity team on climate change, low carbon and post COP26 Summit agenda. Work with stakeholders to develop project proposals as relevant and ensure projects are meeting Vietnamese and UK objectives. Support regional work to understand opportunities in sector. You will be expected to support Consulate colleagues through corporate activity. Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• None

Essential on arrival:

• Proactive self-starting approach to work with the ability to deliver effectively with limited day-to-day supervision in a fast-paced environment;
• A network of industry contacts in the energy sector in Vietnam, or the ability to develop such a network;
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills;
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines;
• IT proficiency, including Office and the ability to learn FCDO applications/systems.

Language requirements: Language: English and Vietnamese Level of language required: Level of language required:  Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and Vietnamese are essential for this role.

• Familiarity with UK business and UK Culture;
• Experience of working with the Vietnamese government.

Making Effective Decisions, Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes, Delivering at Pace

This position is being advertised as a 12 months fixed term position in Ho Chi Minh, and will be extended subject to performance and availability of funding. Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed): The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is committed to developing its staff, working hard to provide a comprehensive L&D offer. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the Diplomatic Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all the available opportunities. The job-holder will be required to take some specific training courses related to their role. All new staff undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management. Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law. No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. Visa sponsorship may be possible for non-Vietnamese nationals if meet local requirements.  Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount. Disabled and ethnic minority applicants will be invited to interviews if meeting the minimum requirement of the job. Working patterns: This role will require office based work at the Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City with little scope for remote or flexible working.

All applications must be received before 23:55 (Local Vietnam Time) on the day of the deadline indicated above. Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen. Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks. To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer. Please check the application centre regularly for any update on your application.