View Vacancy – JPN (Tokyo) – Regional Clean Energy Sector Lead, HEO

Background:

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) promotes UK and global prosperity by championing international trade. DBT’s Asia Pacific (APAC) region comprises 300 staff operating across 15 high-growth markets. Within Japan, DBT operates as part of the wider UK Government team, working as part of a cross-government mission at the British Embassy in Tokyo. We support UK businesses to export, foster industrial partnerships and encourage investment in the UK. 

We are recruiting for a Clean Energy Sector Lead to provide sector leadership across the whole APAC region covering exports and markets access/market shaping. This is an exciting opportunity to influence the development of the critical new technology sectors that are delivering economic growth, a shared net zero agenda and energy security right across Asia-Pacific. This is a new role for the DBT APAC network, reflecting our growing prioritisation of this sector. Although the role is based at the British Embassy Tokyo, the role holder will be expected to work virtually with DBT and FCDO country teams in UK Embassies and Consulates across the Asia-Pacific region.

Across Asia-Pacific, across the clean energy sectors, we are aiming to:

• Grow UK exports, including by growing UK commercial participation in markets in Asia Pacific
• Influence and shape regulatory frameworks and policy to enable accelerated market growth and increase UK participation

As the energy transition in APAC progresses, we are seeing growing interest and potential for UK companies across a range of clean energy sectors, including but not limited to, offshore wind, hydrogen, CCUS, electricity networks and oil and gas decommissioning. The role holder will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and expertise in these sectors, helping our country teams to draw on UK commercial, policy and regulatory strengths to increase UK involvement in the sector in APAC.

The job holder will report to the Head of Energy for DBT APAC, based in Melbourne. 

What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve:

Developing APAC strategy for the clean energy sector. The role holder will work with the Head of Energy DBT APAC to help develop DBT APAC’s overall strategy for the clean energy sector. They will lead our approach in relation to some of the key technologies critical for the energy transition in the region, aiming to establish the UK as a top tier trusted supplier and innovative thought leader across Asia Pacific, and to ensure that the UK Government is maximising market opening and commercial opportunities in Asia Pacific.

Supporting in-country teams to deliver. The role holder will primarily work as an enabler, adviser, and mentor for teams in markets across the region – working with our country teams in more than ten different markets. Our shared objectives for exports and market access/market shaping are delivered on-the-ground by teams in market, based in our network of Embassies and High Commissions. These individuals will look to this post-holder for guidance, support, and expertise. A significant focus for this role holder will be supporting these individuals to excel and deliver their trade and market access objectives. The role holder will need to consider the different stages of development in different markets and cultural differences across countries, developing ways of working to reflect this.   Specific activity could include, advising in the design of research projects, promotional events, trade shows, and senior official and political visits to the region – always ensuring that our activities are delivering value for UK companies.  The role holder will also work to ensure that these individuals are working in a collaborative and joined-up way with other UK Government colleagues in market and in the region, including with political, climate policy, and comms colleagues. 

Leading an APAC network of experts. Beyond supporting individual markets, a key part of this role will be to identify best practices, spot links, similarities, and share learnings across different APAC markets. Where feasible, the role holder will also look for opportunities for regional collaboration across our country teams on joint initiatives and engagements. This post-holder will work with the Head of Energy DBT APAC to bring together our sector teams in each market into an APAC-wide network – inspiring, coordinating, and developing a regional network which is stronger than the sum of its parts.

APAC’s centre of clean energy expertise. Working with our Head of Energy APAC and offshore wind specialist, this person will become our resident expert in Asia-Pacific for certain other clean energy technologies. They will act as a centre of expertise by proactively sharing and embedding knowledge across regional colleagues, identifying opportunities, and applying their sector knowledge to enhance country teams’ project-based work, right across the region.  

Developing and leveraging a strong UK clean energy network. Playing a key role in reaching back to both UK Government teams and companies in the UK. They will develop a strong UK commercial and policymaking network and share this with colleagues across the region to proactively support the development of a pipeline of trade opportunities and resolve market access barriers.   

Shaping regulatory frameworks. Taking a particular focus on working with country teams to help those teams shape future markets for UK industry in APAC. This will involve working with UK industry, government departments, and regulators so they can advise teams on the most effective ways to design and implement campaigns to influence and support the development of regulatory frameworks in APAC markets, so as to best position UK companies to participate, and best accelerate the rollout of clean energy in the region.  

The role holder may be required at times to travel to different countries in APAC or to the UK.

In addition, as required, this post-holder will be required to support any specific DBT or wider UK Government priorities in Japan, which could include high-profile visits, events, and crisis response.

To deliver these responsibilities effectively, we are looking for someone with the following capabilities or behaviours:

• The ability to confidently work across multiple UK missions and Government departments and to support, train and mentor the UK Government teams across Asia-Pacific.
• Strong interpersonal skills. They will be able to proactively build trusted and impactful relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders across government, within industry and across different countries.  They will be a confident communicator capable of representing the UK government in external discussions with industry and governments as well as exercising judgement and discretion with commercial in confidence data.
• Strong commercial acumen. Quickly able to quickly understand which opportunities offer value to UK companies, and confident using data to quickly and effectively prioritise their work.
• They will be an effective team member, with a strong sense of collaboration and a proven ability to work with and bring diverse groups together.  They will also be able to operate autonomously and will have a strong degree of ownership of their sector.
• The role holder will hold (or be capable of developing) strong, trust-based relationships with stakeholders in the region and in the UK – in order to build deep insights into market opportunities, UK supply chain strengths, and areas for government and commercial collaboration.
• The role holder will hold (or be capable of developing) deep knowledge of key clean energy technologies such as hydrogen, offshore wind, CCUS and electricity networks – building an understanding of market potential in APAC, and developing familiarity with the UK industry characteristics, strengths and comparative advantage.
• Hold (or be capable of developing) strategic relationships with key external stakeholders, including UK developers, supply chain companies and industry associations; non-UK developers and contractors; as well as governments, authorities and regulators across the region. The role holder will be expected to attend, convene, and lead meetings of these groups as required.

Please note that the role holder’s job specification may be subject to change in line with evolving business priorities.

Resources Managed (Staff and Expenditure): 

This role will not have any direct reports. However, the role holder will provide overarching leadership for aspects of the energy sector in APAC, and will provide guidance and support and mentoring of energy teams in posts around the region. The role may have some oversight of regional programme funds, depending on budget. 

• A successful track record with significant experience in international trade and investment, business development or the energy industry, including a proven record of engaging customers, stakeholders and partners
• Experience of convening teams, as well as strong teamwork and collaboration skills, including confidence in suggesting new ideas and challenging senior stakeholders
• Excellent communication and influencing skills and the ability to work collaboratively with business contacts and colleagues from different countries or cultures
• A proactive, can-do approach, combined with high standards for delivery and meeting deadlines
• Ability to work independently at pace, and to prioritise, managing an often heavy workload
• Good judgement, cultural and political awareness
• Experience of leading a team, preferably spread across different countries or locations

Language Requirements:

• Fluent English