Main Purpose of Job:

Scottish Development International (SDI) is looking for a Senior Trade Specialist to lead on Scotland’s Science & Technology (S&T) sectors in Japan. This will include supporting Scottish Science & Technology companies with accessing the Japanese market and by identifying trade opportunities with key customers. 

Based at the British Embassy in Tokyo, the candidate will lead on S&T trade support and trade development activities for SDI in Japan. The successful candidate will develop and maintain strategic relationships that grow Scottish trade, identify export opportunities and provide market insights within the science and technology sectors.  Key objectives will be to provide trade support and trade development activities involving market research, buyer engagement, participate in trade shows and other marketing activities.

The job holder will develop and maintain strategic relationships that grow Scottish trade, identify export opportunities and provide market insights within the life sciences and technology sectors; with MedTech/Health-Tech and Pharma Services being the primary sectors of focus.

In addition to working directly with Scottish S&T companies to help them secure new business in Japan, there will also be an ask to support activities in the wider AsiaPac region. 

We are looking for a confident, target-driven communicator who can build and maintain strong rapports with colleagues, customers and manage projects. Knowledge and understanding of the life sciences and technology related sectors or an ability to rapidly acquire knowledge is key. 

The jobholder will report directly into SDI’s S&T Regional Manager who is based in India. 

The British Embassy in Tokyo is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. Scottish Development International (SDI), Scotland’s international trade agency, plays an important part in the British Embassy’s commercial outreach and works in close collaboration with the UK’s Department for Business & Trade (DBT) and Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO). 

What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve:

The successful candidate will be a proactive and meticulous project manager who is well versed in multi-tasking and collaborating with colleagues and external partners. The jobholder will be expected to support the delivery of complex projects focused on growing Scottish exports in the S&T sectors, and contribute to SDI’s key international performance measures, namely by increasing the international sales of Scottish exporters as a result of SDI support.

Specific responsibilities will include:

Trade Support (40%):

• Lead on trade support for Scottish S&T companies looking to export to Japan.  
• Support Scottish S&T companies looking to export to Japan and undertake research on buyers, routes to market, business environment and regulatory frameworks. 
• Deliver visit programmes, trade missions and learning journeys for Scottish S&T companies to Japan, including drafting briefings, organising marketing events, webinars and arranging one-to-one business matchmaking activities.
• Update SDI’s internal reporting system with records of all company support provided and how this has helped to deliver against SDI’s objectives. 
• Develop close working relationships with GlobalScots, other UK Government partners, namely the Department for Business & Trade, relevant trade associations and other external partners. 

Trade Development (40%):

• Work as part of a global team to provide trade advice to Scottish S&T companies looking to access market opportunities in Japan within the opportunities as outlined in the international sector operating plan.
• Identify and map specific market opportunities aligned with the Scottish supply chain and support strategic engagement with targetted buyers. 
• Work with colleagues in Scotland to deliver visit programmes and trade missions for Scottish companies, providing added value for participating companies by introducing them to your network of contacts and setting up 1-2-1 meetings for them while in market.
• Update Dynamics with details of all company support provided.
• Deliver against Scottish Government export objectives and raise the profile of Scotland as a leading Science and Technology destination.

Other (20%):

• Deliver webinars and use social media, including LinkedIn, to raise awareness of key market opportunities among Scottish companies.
• Support the SDI Regional Manager for the delivery of the SDI Regional Operating Plan for S&T in Asia Pacific.
• Develop close working relationships with other partners including DBT, Chambers of Commerce/Trade Associations, GlobalScots and other in-market industry trade bodies.  
• Support visits by Scottish Government Ministers and senior colleagues. 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): No people management responsibilities

• An experienced networker with established relationships in the life sciences & technology sectors in Japan
• Knowledge and understanding of the opportunities in the life sciences and technology sector in Japan
• Excellent project and event management skills
• Excellent market research and report writing skills
• Excellent internal and external communication skills
• Ability to engage credibility with stakeholders
• A relevant degree level qualification (or equivalent level of experience) 
• Motivated, self-starter who can demonstrate initiative, resilience, and project management skills.
• A team player with a collaborative approach who can work successfully with a virtual team environment to achieve common objectives
• Excellent written skills, IT literate and comfortable using Microsoft packages such as PowerPoint, Excel and Word plus SE/SDI internal management systems (Microsoft Dynamics)

Language requirement:

This role requires written and spoken proficiency in both English and Japanese. fluency (minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework*) in one language and business level (minimum of high B2) in the other.

*Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages sets the following mastery or proficiency levels:

• C2: Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express themself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
• B2: Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.