Main purpose of job:

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is responsible for promoting UK trade and investment with the rest of the world, and we support UK businesses overseas and attract foreign investment to our shores. We have 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries. DBT divides the world into 9 regions, each led by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner. The Latin American and the Caribbean Region (LATAC) is led from São Paulo by Jonathan Knott. The DBT LATAC Network is represented in 19 posts with a team of over 160 staff. 

We are recruiting a Country Director for the Department of Business and Trade, who will be responsible and accountable for all commercial work within the country and the delivery of the Latin American and the Caribbean Regional Trade Plan within Ecuador. This will involve: identifying and supporting opportunities for British businesses to export to Ecuador; unlocking market access issues; working with colleagues to find the most impactful ways to showcase the UK offer; and delivering on investment into the UK.  

Working within the British Embassy in Ecuador, as well as collaborating closely with DBT Latin America and Caribbean (LATAC) and UK colleagues, the successful applicant will drive deeper trading relations between the UK and Ecuador, increasing UK exports and contributing to economic growth and jobs. 

Roles and responsibilities:

• Develop, maintain and deliver on a pipeline of commercial opportunities across a range of sectors e.g. healthcare and life sciences, defence and security, mining, agri-tech food and drink. This will also require continuous engagement with government authorities, the private sector, and UK businesses.
• Seek to address any relevant market access barriers in order to further open up the market to UK business, including supporting work to deliver a UK-Ecuador Double Taxation Agreement  
• Budget holder for DBT Ecuador, including overseeing, forecasting and managing budget, monitoring and accounting for spend. 
• Ensure alignment with current HMG initiatives, and other Government Departments present in the embassy and wider network.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationship with DBT HQ and other HMG colleagues, leveraging appropriate expertise and support to help companies, and deliver where needed.
• Work as a flexible member of the Embassy to support wider Embassy work as needed, including but not limited to, Crisis Work and other HMG work and activities. 
  Deliver upon all elements set out in the Ecuador Country Trade Plan.  
• Be an active member of the Andean sub-region and the wider regional DBT LATAC team.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 
Two interns. Budget and resources managed ~£5000  p.a.

• Undergraduate degree and other relevant professional qualification or experience. 
• A good understanding of the business environment in Ecuador and the UK.
• Substantial work experience in a commercially focused role. 
• Proven ability to work with external stakeholders to secure commercial outcomes.
• Experience in business development and client relationship/account management.
• Proven track record of cross-team collaboration.
• Strong political and commercial awareness.
• A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable attitude.  

Language requirements: 

Language:  English and Spanish 

Level of language required:  Full fluency in English and Spanish (written and verbal) are essential.