Main purpose of job:

The Department for Business and Trade is responsible for promoting UK trade and investment with the rest of the world. Colombia is a high potential market for the UK. Working with British Embassy Colombia, DBT regional and UK colleagues, as well as the Colombian private and public sectors, the successful applicant will contribute to UK economic growth and jobs across one or more sectors. This will be done, principally, by supporting UK exports and investment into Colombia. This opening is for a one-year contract, with the opportunity for renewal or extension.

Roles and responsibilities:

The Commercial Officer will be responsible for the following sector(s): Life Sciences

Life Sciences covers the pharmaceutical, medical devices, biotechnology, and health education & training services sectors. DBT Colombia has predominantly been working on the first two areas, supporting large UK companies to expand their presence and SMEs to enter the market. In addition, these sectors demand work on market access issues such as resolving problems related to sanitary permit approvals, importation licences and supporting the improvement of sanitary and phytosanitary regulation with exchange of British best practices.

The Commercial Officer will be responsible for:

1)     Supporting UK companies export to the Colombian market through executing well-planned interventions (meetings, introductions, events, marketing, partnerships, government engagement etc.), resulting in the delivery of a highly ambitious export value target across the sector(s) for which the officer is responsible;

2)     Project managing a diverse “pipeline” of trade-related projects, in conjunction with UK and regional sector team colleagues, in line with DBT high value campaign guidance to support future UK exports, moving quickly from identification of major opportunities to commercial wins; 

3)     Developing a robust understanding of market access barriers affecting the sector, a prioritised assessment of these and plan of action to address these via appropriate levers;

4)     Building a network of potential Colombian buyers of UK products and services and UK companies, including account managing a number of UK or Colombian entities, applying account management guidance and excellent customer service to increase the probability of commercial wins;

5)     Scoping commercial opportunities for UK exporters in other sectors including, but not limited to bio-economy, health infrastructure and Food & Drink in order to effectively respond to developments in the market and opportunities for UK companies;   

6)     Working in close partnership with other Embassy teams, as required, including helping to secure secondary benefits (commercial wins) from UK government programmes, ensure that UK companies’ concerns about the Colombian business environment are suitably addressed and enhance the reputation of British industry in Colombia;

7)     Briefing Embassy, DBT, FCDO and Colombian Government mid and high level officials, as well as high level businesses on UK Government objectives, focused on their economic and commercial impact.

8)     Share expertise with Life Sciences colleagues in the LATAC region, identifying ways to add value and multiply effect for British companies in this geographic area, with a special emphasis in the Andean subregion (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile) and build a strong relationship with the sector team in HQ.

9)     Sound management of DBT Colombia resources the officer is responsible for, including forecasting and reviewing the budget allocated to the officer’s sector(s) at least quarterly to ensure that all delegated funds are between 99 and 100% spent by the end of the financial year;

10)  Supporting the wider work of the DBT Colombia team and other Embassy sections (when required), including regional engagement, internal coordination and planning, events, analysis and briefing;

11)  Identifying and taking-up opportunities to improve existing skills and/or develop new ones;

12)  Fulfilling the requirements of performance appraisal process, including establishing and executing a personal development plan; and

Performing other reasonable tasks as requested by the Director and Deputy Director of DBT Colombia.

Resources managed:

Managing junior staff (some of whom may have individual sector responsibilities) as required; and regional and/or local budget to fund activities in the sector(s) for which the officer is responsible.

Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent).

At least 3 years of working experience

Evidence of excellent written and oral communication (English and Spanish).