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POSITION : Trade Services Manager, Department for International Trade (DIT)

Main Purpose of Job
To build interest among UK business in exporting their goods or services to Nigeria and other parts of West Africa; to work closely with British companies exploring their exporting options in the region; to provide market insight and sector-specific analysis according to their needs (on a chargeable basis); and identify export opportunities for UK companies.

Roles and Responsibilities 
Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, the continent’s largest oil producer and population coupled with long-established cultural and commercial links with the UK. It has huge long-term economic potential with vast natural resources and a young and growing population. As a result Nigeria offers business opportunities, especially in the oil and gas sector but also increasingly in aeas such as renewable energy, infrastructure and agriculture. Current trade figures are good but we want to do better.  

As part of the British Government’s commitment to increasing UK exports worldwide to £1 trillion by 2020, the UK’s trade team in Nigeria, , with offices in both Lagos and Abuja, is developing a trade strategy to identify and better tap into this vast potential and increase trade between the UK and West Africa. The Nigeria team is also shifting to a regional approach, working with tarde colleagues in Ghana, Guinea, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal to maximise the trading relationship witht he UK across West Africa.

• We are looking for a highly organised person with a strong attention to detail, ability to take the initiative, work accurately within deadlines and with limited supervision, and be a strong team member who works collaboratively.
• Working with partners in the UK regions to both sell and create demand for our paid services;
• Responsibility for the smooth running of trade missions comprising British businesses to Nigeria, from arrival to departure via our paid for services;
• Assisting with VIP visits including responsibility for designated aspects;  
• Managing carefully the supply and demand element of the job;
• Engagement with a multitude of Nigerian Government Departments, agencies, companies and other organisations, at all levels, to ensure maximum co-operation and understanding of their current needs and aspirations engaging credibly to build strong and meaningful relationships with stakeholders and clients;
• Good continuous liaison with both the UK Regional DIT teams and UK customers to ensure you deliver the best possible service, which they will have paid for;
• Attending various out of hours events, such as receptions at which many senior Nigerians will be present;
• Using the various DIT databases to ensure UK companies are kept fully up to speed on Export Opportunities to Nigeria;
• Full participation in ensuring the challenging annual overall DIT targets are met, such as the increase in the number of companies across the region exporting to meet the national ambition of getting 100,000 more companies exporting by 2020.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the Volume work of DIT, Nigeria to assist UK companies in the export of British goods and services to Nigeria and assist in meeting challenging team targets. The job will include liasing with major players in the relevant sectors in Nigeria who are interested in meeting and dealing with British companies, ensuring a good quality service is provided to our UK customers, compiling guest lists, helping with VIP visits, arranging events at the Residence and good liaision with the rest of the Deputy High Commission teams, UK Regions and across the West African region.
  • Work with the West Africa Trade Director and Marketing Manager to develop and deliver a coherent and targeted plan for encouraging more British companies to export to West Africa;
  • Engage directly with British companies who have expressed an interest in exploring exporting opportunities in the region, charging them where appropriate for producing good quality and detailed reports providing market insights and sector- or product-specific information and analysis;
  • Work with the trade team across the region to identify genuine opportunities for British companies to pursue, uploading these to the UK Department for International Trade’s customised database, and ensuring that export opportunity targets are met throughout the year.

Essential Qualifications and Experience  

• Strong oral and written English communication skills;
• Excellent IT skills with ability in MS Office suite applications e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint;
• Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines;
• Resourcefulness in solving problems;
• Good interpersonal skills and comfortable dealing with high level officials;
• Flexible;
• Strong organisational skills and keen attention to detail;
• Superior professionalism and judgment;
• Strong work ethic.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

• 2+ years of relevant experience especially in large, complex environments;
• Prior experience of working with the UK Government;
• Line Management experience.

Required competencies:

• Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace

Remuneration
Starting monthly salary: N493,126.

Start Date 
1st January, 2017.

Note

• Please complete the application form in full.
• Failure to do so may result in a determination that you do not meet the requirements for the position.
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Lagos are subject to the Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
• All applicants must be legally able to work in the country of application with the correct visa/status or work permit.
• Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
• Reference and security clearances checks will be conducted.
• Any questions you may have about this position will be answered during the interview, should you be invited.
• Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework
• Check your application and attachments before you submit your application, as you will not be able to make any changes once submitted.
• The British High Commission will never ask you to pay a fee or money to apply for a position.