Main purpose of job:

This role leads the economics portfolio at the British High Commission (BHC) Singapore.

We are looking for an experienced economist and proactive self-starter to lead the UK’s engagement with Singapore on a range of fascinating and high-profile economic policy issues. The jobholder sits in the Economics, Financial, Trade and Intellectual Property Policy and Programming team, and will working closely with teams across the BHC and UK other Missions across SE Asia to deliver on our ambitious economic objectives.

In addition to being a core part of the British High Commission team, the job holder will play an important role in the Southeast Asia Economic and Trade Policy Network, using their engagement in Singapore to  support the delivery of the UK’s ambitious economic agenda in Southeast Asia.  

The jobholder will join an existing team of economic, trade policy and intellectual property advisers based in diplomatic missions throughout the region, providing the opportunity for wider cross-team working. 

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

1. Bilateral engagement (80%)

A. Develop, progress and lead UK-Singapore economic policy cooperation 

• Lead UK-Singapore economic policy cooperation. Includes:
  • Advocate for shared approaches in light of global macroeconomic developments, creating mechanisms to coordinate policy approaches.
  • Use expertise to deepen UK-Singapore economic collaboration. Respond in an agile manner to new opportunities and challenges across a wide range of economic policy areas; including on economic security (e.g., supply chains, strategic sectors, investment security, sanctions policy) and economic development.
• Drive UK engagement with the Singaporean government on economic issues.
• Work with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Trade Policy and Science and Innovation teams to ensure that our economic policy work is fully aligned with UK prosperity goals in Singapore, and unlock regulatory and other barriers to trade. Engage UK business and industry on the economic implications of developments, as necessary.

B. Working in partnership with the High Commissioner, the Regional Director for the Southeast Asia Economics Network and other senior colleagues across the High Commission, lead economic engagement with Singapore, including through campaigns, set-piece events, visits and dialogues, ensuring the economic work of the High Commission delivers UK government prosperity objectives in Singapore:

• Build and maintain an extensive network of contacts in government, academia, other embassies, and the private sector to develop deeper partnerships and promote UK economic policy objectives in Singapore. This includes:
  • Leading and developing relationships with Singapore government agencies including: the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
  • At the UK end, in addition to the FCDO, the jobholder will be required to nurture and lead relationships with HM Treasury (HMT), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) as well as the FCDO and Cabinet Office.
  • Build up and develop relationships with organisations in SG, including the IMF, ADB, AMRO, think tanks, political risk consultancies and universities with presence in Singapore.
• Deliver set-piece events, ministerial visits and dialogues. This includes:
  • Leading on Ministerial and senior level visits to Singapore from UK agencies including HMT, FCDO and DBT.
  • Supporting the delivery of the UK-Singapore Economic and Business Partnership (EBP), UK-Singapore Financial Dialogue and the UK-Singapore Free Trade Committee
• Represent the UK in external engagements, including with the Singapore government and industry.

C. Underpin bilateral policy cooperation through high-quality economic analysis of the Singapore economy

• Produce high-quality analysis of Singapore’s economy, as well as other emerging issues related to Singapore. Coordinate and lead a cross-Mission view of the political economy to produce reporting suitable for a non-technical audience.
• Deliver economic briefings for senior UK government and industry stakeholders, including ahead of senior level visits and for organisations like the British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.

2. Southeast Asia (20%)

Support the UK government’s regional economic agenda through influence and engagement of Singapore-based organisations in partnership with the Regional Director for the Southeast Asia Economics Network. 

• Support the Regional Director on strategic areas of UK economic interest for the region, such as regulatory diplomacy, development finance and facilitate knowledge-sharing and upskilling across the regional network on these, presenting to seniors where necessary.
• Following the UK being awarded ASEAN Dialogue Partner status in 2021; work closely with colleagues at the UK Mission to ASEAN to develop, drive and implement the UK’s ambitious economic agenda in the region. Provide high-quality analytical and economic input into bilateral and/or regional programming.
• Coordinate and contribute as required to economic reporting on Southeast Asia/ ASEAN, targeting a Whitehall audience and supporting HMG efforts to improve understanding of the ASEAN economy. Includes the production of the flagship Southeast Asia Economic Bulletin, as well as ad hoc thematic pieces on topical economic issues. Involves coordinating inputs from economists working in Southeast Asia Posts.
• Use economic analysis to inform UK positions towards ASEAN on priority issues.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

You will task manage and be supported in your tasks by an Economic and Trade Policy Officer (EO).

• At least an undergraduate degree in economics
• At least 5 years of experience providing economic analysis, advice and reporting in a comparable organisation.
• Strong quantitative analysis skills are essential, including familiarity with MS Excel.
• Excellent English drafting skills, ability to draft at pace a distinct advantage
• Strong leadership skills
• Good knowledge of Singapore’s and more broadly Southeast Asia’s economic, financial, business and political environment.