FCDO: Trade and Economic Officer (KYR25.259) – Bishkek

The British Embassy in Bishkek is seeking a new Trade and Economic Officer to support its expanding trade and economic activity.

Trade and investment between the UK and Kyrgyzstan is gaining real momentum. Fuelled by recent landmark deals, interest from new and established UK companies is growing. As Trade and Economic Officer, you’ll be at the forefront of this exciting agenda, helping to shape the future of UK-Kyrgyz commercial relations. This is a unique opportunity to drive meaningful impact, work with top-tier businesses and senior stakeholders, and help unlock the full potential of this emerging partnership.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated individual to work at the forefront of UK-Kyrgyz economic relations. You will have regular access to senior decision-makers across government and the private sector, both in the UK and Kyrgyzstan. Your work will directly contribute to delivering tangible benefits for both countries—promoting British expertise, fostering innovation, and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Roles and responsibilities

The ideal candidate will bring strong business experience, either from direct work in the private sector or through consistent engagement via roles in the public sector, multilateral institutions, or similar organisations. You must be confident engaging senior stakeholders and able to communicate with clarity and credibility. While the role offers opportunities to contribute to high-level strategy, the successful candidate must also be comfortable handling core operational tasks, including organising meetings, events, and senior-level engagements.

Key areas of responsibility will include:

Trade and Investment Promotion (40%)

• Proactively identify and progress opportunities to grow UK-Kyrgyz trade and investment, with focus on mining, education, agriculture, financial services, renewables, and digital/creative industries.
• Build and maintain relationships with UK businesses either already present, or exploring the Kyrgyz market, offering tailored advice and connections to help grow their business in Kyrgyzstan.
• Organise and host the Kyrgyz-UK Business Council, positioning it as the primary forum for bilateral business and government dialogue.
• Collaborate closely with the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in the UK, Istanbul and with the regional team in Kazakhstan to leverage central support for research, events, and campaigns.
• Work with the Embassy’s Political and Communications Team to raise awareness of UK-Kyrgyz commercial ties and promote key messages, including the importance of rule of law for economic growth.
• Use and leverage senior Embassy officials to drive progress on your objectives with top-level decision makers, proactively identifying opportunities for them to make a difference.

Economic and Business Reporting (20%)

• Monitor and analyse key economic trends and policy developments.
• Produce regular and ad-hoc briefings to inform UK policy and programming.
• Maintain a strong network across government, media, and business to support reporting and broader Embassy objectives.

Trade and Economic Programming (20%)

• Develop and manage proposals for DBT funding to support trade promotion activities.
• Oversee delivery of successful bids, ensuring compliance with FCDO financial and procurement rules.
• Ensure coherence with other FCDO-led economic programming, supporting delivery of distinct programmes and activities where necessary.

Bilateral Relations and Visits (20%)

• Proactively find and source opportunities to use senior meetings, visits and exchanges to strengthen UK-Kyrgyz ties and progress your trade and economic objectives.
• Organise compelling programmes of activities for visits, taking responsibility for the execution of events from start to finish, working collaboratively with other Embassy teams to deliver these successfully.
• Use public communications effectively, working with Embassy communications teams to communicate the positive impact of UK activity.
• Support a drum-beat of engagement by senior Embassy officials in Kyrgyzstan with organisation, briefings, note-taking, and formal reporting.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Russian (minimum CEFR C1), with the ability to adapt messaging to different audiences.
• Minimum five years of relevant experience across public/private sectors, media, NGOs, or multilateral institutions, with a strong foundation in trade, investment, and economic issues in the Kyrgyz Republic.
• Existing, or quickly developed, network of high-level contacts, with a proven ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in project and/or event management, delivering complex activities to deadline.
• Proven ability to prepare clear, insightful economic briefings and reports.
• Strong analytical and judgement skills, with a proactive approach to learning and development.
• Flexible team player, willing to take on other corporate responsibilities as necessary, who can also work independently.