The Department for Business and Trade is the Trade and Investment Promotion and Negotiation organisation for the UK. We promote British trade and investment across the world, 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 Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner. The Latin American and the Caribbean Region (LATAC) is led from Sao Paulo by Jonathan Knott. His Deputy is located in Mexico City. The Network is represented in 19 Posts with a team of over 140.

DBT LATAC is looking for a full-time LATAC Head of People to work for the DBT LATAC team, based in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced candidate to work in a fast-paced fascinating environment in an important central role. The position reports directly to the LATAC Chief Operating Officer.

The role will suit a team player who is open to new ideas and ways of working, is discreet and capable of working with constantly changing priorities and managing a full workload.

Roles and responsibilities:

People Lead (75%)

• Lead on all HR and People work for the DBT LATAC Network.
• Design and implement an annual People Plan for the region in order to ensure teams are supported, upskilled and engaged in all we do.
• Oversee the annual People Survey with the aim to continue to increase our engagement score year on year.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership to the Network and the Leadership Board on the make-up and direction of the staffing of the LATAC Network.
• Ensure the Network has the right skills and abilities in order to deliver the Regional Trade Plan and where necessary provide training and support.
• Run the regional L&D fund.
• Ensure all colleagues are performing at their optimum and where necessary intervene to ensure they are.
• Run the quarterly bonus awards to reward staff for their work and contributions.
• Give advice and guidance around personnel issues as needed, reflecting local labour law, Post TACOs and circumstances.
• Working collaboratively with the FCDO, lead on all complex HR cases.
• Provide leadership, support and guidance to LATAC colleagues as needed.
• Lead on the planning, recruitment and onboarding of UKB staff.
• Ensure all staff data, processes and commission are kept up to date and/or completed.

Special Projects (25%)

• Lead, deliver and support on ad hoc projects, such as (but not limited to) regional training initiatives, the annual conference, regional in person Boards.

Essential on arrival:  

• Minimum 3 years work experience in an HR or Trade / Investment related field
• Undergraduate degree
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Experience of working with teams across multiple countries and cultures in LATAC
• Proven ability to lead and deliver on projects
• Ability to deliver hard and difficult messages to seniors and peers

Language requirements: 

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