Main purpose of job:

Based in the British Trade Office in Johannesburg, this role is an exciting opportunity to work with business and government in an international setting covering the entire Africa region at the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT). DBT is the department for economic growth. We support businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the UK. As part of our remit, we promote British trade and investment across the world. We bring together sector, policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets worldwide to help UK businesses and investors succeed.

DBT has over 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries. Our aspiration is to address some of the challenges facing the UK, by helping British businesses to internationalise and grow overseas.  DBT divides the world into nine regions, each led by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC). The Africa region is led from Johannesburg and represents 54 markets with a team of 100+ staff.

You will join DBT’s International Markets (IM) Africa Team, part of DBT’s global ecosystem of export support for smaller UK businesses. The IM team is a free UK government service, and provides its clients with market-specific insight and guidance, provided by our teams in diplomatic posts. 

IM Africa is the first port of call for smaller UK businesses looking to explore Africa’s numerous trading opportunities. IM is part of the UK Government’s commitment to support UK businesses sell to the world and grow the UK economy through exports. 

It is an exciting time to join the IM Africa team. The service has now been up and running for over two years, and the new UK government has made clear its mission to deliver economic growth and support UK business. This role offers the opportunity to drive the development of this important work in an Africa context. 

The jobholder will be expected to deliver an excellent service for UK businesses, lead and inspire a team and build effective relationships across DBT, the Africa network and with external partners. The successful applicant will work closely with key stakeholders to develop and refine a demand strategy. This will communicate the opportunities in Africa for smaller UK businesses, and drive the right UK demand to help inform how you prioritise your activity in the year ahead. You will keep all relevant colleagues updated with progress. You will actively promote Africa as place to do business, contributing to the development of marketing collateral and pushing export opportunities out to the UK network.  

You will also play an active role, using both your position and delivering through others in your team, in generating export wins for clients and support the global IM target of delivering £1bn in new business over the current financial year. You will provide senior level support, advice, and insight regarding the commercial environment across Africa. 

With your expertise in business and knowledge of UK strengths, you will represent the International Markets Africa team’s interests across the British High Commission, and externally to partners, clients and buyers in Africa, from a diverse range of backgrounds. You will share information, resources and support, and champion the UK as a trading partner for Africa.  

You will support DBT events in Africa including exhibitions, seminars, market visits and supervision of programmes for UK delegates visiting the market, where relevant to the International Markets service. You will also work closely with wider DBT Africa country team on projects of mutual interest. 

In addition to your responsibilities in Africa, you will be part of a high-performing, ambitious global IM team and the role will require some overseas travel to engage your International Markets Regional Head counterparts (covering Asia-Pacific, China, Eastern Europe & Central Asia, Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean, Middle East & Pakistan, North America and South Asia). You will share best practice and lessons learned from the Africa region and be receptive to others’ learning. Where appropriate you will also share clients in order to grow their export.

This role is ideal for existing or aspiring trade professionals looking to make a difference and develop their careers in an international environment.

• At least three years’ experience working in trade and investment, including relevant professional or hands-on trade related experience in Africa and/or holds a relevant undergraduate degree;
• Experience of leading a commercially focused team to deliver value for money outcomes;
• Strong leader and team player who is flexible and proactive and can work across organisational boundaries;
• Line management experience or experience of leading multiple teams, including managing remotely and across multiple geographies and cultures;
• Proven track record of cross-team capability building and developing others, building skilled teams to meet objectives;
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with experience managing senior and external stakeholders;
• Excellent communication skills in English (both written and oral)