Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting and demanding position for an exceptional individual to take up the role of Market Access – Infrastructure Officer for Colombia under the fast-paced environment of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). We seek a talented Officer with the drive to open up markets, build a business-friendly regulatory environment and improve international trading standards.

Based at the British Embassy in Colombia, the Market Access /Infrastructure Officer will manage the trade policy agenda between Colombia and the UK, as well as proactively identify and solve Market Access and regulatory barriers that British Companies face across all sectors in Colombia. Working with the Market Access Lead, the Market Access Infrastructure Officer will be responsible for executing strategies and action plans to address such obstacles and open the market for UK companies.

The successful applicant will also support the infrastructure agenda at the British Embassy in Colombia. The Officer will promote opportunities in Colombia to British companies and advocate for UK companies in Colombia, leveraging the UK’s policy expertise, innovation, and commercial experience in the sector. This will highlight the UK as a key partner in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth in Colombia, with a focus on key subsectors such as railways, airports, social infrastructure, and ports.

In addition to daily interaction with senior business stakeholders, you will collaborate closely with the embassy’s sustainability team to harness UK knowledge through cooperative programs that will benefit Colombia’s infrastructure strategy in the medium and long term.

The Market Access – Infrastructure Officer will be part of the LATAC Regional Team, working closely with colleagues from around Latin America, the Caribbean and the UK. 

Roles and responsibilities:

Market Access

• Proactively identify and report Market Access Barriers affecting UK exports (goods and services) to Colombia. Determine the policy background and channels to accurately address each barrier.
  
• Working with the DBT team and wider economic teams across the British Embassy in Colombia and in London, drawing on qualitative and quantitative data to identify issues in priority/high growth sectors;
  
• Identify key decision makers in government, public bodies, civil society, academia and business. Create strategic alliances and engagement with relevant authorities and commercial entities.
  
• Monitor those market access barriers and assess their functional impact in priority/high growth sectors;
  
• Develop and implement an action plan to tackle the identified market access barriers on all sectors, through ongoing activities, lobbying and high-level interventions:
      Coordinate key engagements with relevant stakeholders.
     Establish commitments and actions, which result in long-term solutions, influencing foreign trade in terms of transparency and inclusivity.
  
• Provide evidence-based policy recommendations to senior management in DBT and the wider Embassy.

Trade Policy

• Follow-up on the implementation and compliance of international commitments and obligations arising from the UK-Andean Countries Agreement.
  
• Contribute to the identification of issues of interest and preparation of sub-committees and trade committees under the UK-Andean Countries Agreement.
  
• Contribute to the construction of the agenda and preparation of the subcommittees and trade committee under the UK-Andean Countries Agreement.
  
• Lead the development of the UK-Colombia Trade Dialogues, through the identification of opportunities for joint work and alternatives to increase trade and investment flows between UK and Colombia.
  
• Monitor Colombia’s public policies, regulatory developments and business environment, scan for potential barriers to trade and determine their impact on British industry.
  
• Support Trade Policy teams with any requests that may arise in the context of the UK’s participation in multilateral organizations such as the WTO, WCO and OECD, among others.

Infrastructure

• Support the Infrastructure Sector Lead organizing (trade missions, events, visits) to encourage UK companies early engagements with local stakeholders and win projects in Colombia.
  
• Maintain excellent market intelligence in the Colombian infrastructure sector working with trade associations and sector experts.
• Monitor Colombia’s Development Plan and scan opportunities for UK companies.
  
• Design and develop a ports master plan to unlock new opportunities to UK companies.

Budget Management and Administration

• Manage DBT financial resources, which includes monitoring budget allocated to projects and ensuring that all delegated funds are spent by the relevant deadlines;
  
• Manage personal administrative tasks, such as activity and expense recording;
  
• Play an active part in corporate life at the Embassy to maximise the overall well-being of staff, and to contribute positively to the Embassy’s working environment.

Perform other reasonable tasks as requested by the Director or Deputy Director of DBT Colombia.

Essential on arrival:

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in Public Policy, Law, Economics, International Relations, International Business or related subjects
  
• Three or more years of professional experience in trade policy, international economic law, government affairs, Business Development.
  
• Knowledge of Colombia’s government structure, as well as in trade and market access policy institutional framework.
   
• Strong track record of interpersonal and relationship building, ideally with senior businessmen and/or public officials.
  
• Evidence of delivering positive results through collaboration and networks.

Must have the legal status to live and work in Colombia.

Language requirements:

Spanish / English

Level of language required: High level/Working level English and Spanish (At least C1 level under CEFR).