Trade Advisor - Department for Business and Trade, ESS-IM (CZE24.178)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) 1

The British Government representation in the Czech Republic is located at the British Embassy in Prague. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is a UK Government department which helps build an appetite for British goods and services globally, promotes and finances international trade and investment, and champions global free trade.

Working for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in the Czech Republic

The Export Support Service – International Markets (ESS-IM) team sits at the heart of the Department for Business and Trade’s activity across Europe, helping to identify and drive high potential British exporters, including innovative SMEs and Mid-Sized Businesses (MSBs) into supply chains in Europe. The ESS-IM core team in Prague is looking for a Trade Adviser to support UK exporters taking advantage of those opportunities across all of Europe. This position has a regional focus.

The ESS-IM team not only handle export enquiries, coordinating responses from across Europe, but also acts as a centre of expertise, delivering practical support to those companies, including information on market potential, in-market representation, market access and clients. They will also communicate high value opportunities to business, in areas aligned to UK industrial strengths, as part of an innovative promotional programme.

Our Trade Adviser will be part of the team that oversees regional enquiries related to commercial opportunities, helping businesses navigate and make the most of trade opportunities between the UK and European countries. The successful candidate will work closely with DBT’s export support network in the UK and network of advisers across Europe, and will also support the development and management of the Overseas Referral Network (ORN), a network of external partners.

As with all DBT positions, there will be a focus on working collaboratively with colleagues across DBT’s Network. The work will be varied and demanding, and the successful candidate will need to be a flexible, committed self-starter, able to juggle priorities and to work on demanding timelines.

What will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

• Support UK exporters, predominantly innovative small and medium enterprises, by providing guidance, information and insight as part of the European ESS-IM trade team.

• Working closely and collaboratively with DBT teams across Europe and UK to ensure a joined-up approach in supporting SMEs in exporting to 30+ markets.

• Respond, in a timely manner, to specific requests from UK companies for market information, through the provision of written and verbal advice, off-the-shelf information, and referrals to external partners.

• Help to build in-market external networks and partnerships across the Europe region to be able to provide a comprehensive referral service to 3rd party partners within the Overseas Referral Network (ORN) to support the UK exporter journey. Support the delivery of webinars and presentations related to the ORN.

• Keep records and provide reports and maintain relevant information as required in order to build up the picture of UK export support in Europe.

• Acquire by a variety of means, commercial information to draft sector reports, briefings, and identifying export opportunities across the Europe region.

• Help to create and maintain strong and mutually beneficial relationships with DBT’s export support network in the UK to identify, target and engage a pipeline of high potential clients. Contribute to efforts to communicate opportunities in the European market through support for the regional promotional programme.

• Support the ESS IM Core team in Prague with the further development of the ESS-IM Programme in Europe.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1

• Full professional proficiency in English, both spoken and written (at a minimum of C1 Level according to CEFR*);

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written; the ability to communicate ideas in a clear, constructive and considerate manner to a variety of different groups and stakeholders, both commercial and non-commercial;

• 1-3 years of previous work experience and/or university degree within a related field of study;

• Interest in international trade, business and/or exports specifically;

• Good IT skills, especially Word, PowerPoint and Excel;

• Drive and enthusiasm combined with the ability to deliver, working as part of a team;

• Customer focus with a concern for quality and drive for continuous improvement in the service provided;

• Resourcefulness and ability to act on own initiative, with an ability to find creative solutions when the unexpected occurs.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 1

• Knowledge of another European language is a bonus.

• Good project management, including an eye for detail, to ensure that all aspects of service delivery have been thought through carefully.

• Experience of working within a commercial environment beneficial.

Required behaviours 1 Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together Application deadline 1 15 May 2024 Grade 1 Administrative Officer (AO) Type of Position 1 Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal Working hours per week 1 37.5 Region 1 Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia Country/Territory 1 Czech Republic Location (City) 1 Prague Type of Post 1 British Embassy Number of vacancies 1 1 Salary Currency 1 CZK Salary 1 51,930 Start Date 1 1 July 2024 Other benefits and conditions of employment 1

This is a full-time fixed-term position for 24 months with possibility of extension by mutual agreement, of 5 working days (37.5 hours net) per week. Working hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 17:00pm with a flexible working hours arrangement. Staff are entitled to time-off-in-lieu for extra hours worked. The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year pro rata and the Embassy enjoys an average of 14 Czech/UK public holidays per year.

The monthly salary is 51, 930 CZK (gross). In addition, staff receive a meal vouchers contribution.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and 3-months probationary period.

The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation for the Czech Republic in order to apply.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Czech Republic are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Czech Republic employment law.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Czech Republic and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country. The British Embassy does not sponsor for work permits.

Start date is an indicative target start date.

The Europe DBT network and the Embassy in Prague is a rewarding and exciting place to work, offering:

• Scope for personal and professional development: Excellent networks and opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching, job shadowing and secondments;
• Strong offer for learning and development, including dedicated L&D days;
• An equal, diverse and engaged workplace;
• Work-life balance.

Equal employment

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. DBT Europe Network want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.

Additional information 1

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints

Further Information

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

• Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.