View Vacancy – KWT – DBT – Senior International Trade Advisor – Infrastructure, Smart Cities & Technology (EO)

The British Embassy in Kuwait is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual for the position of Senior International Trade Advisor – Infrastructure, Smart Cities and Technology , job grade Executive Officer (EO) under the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

DBT is the UK Government’s department for economic growth. We promote British trade and investment across the world, support UK business overseas, and attract foreign investment to our shores. We have over 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries. 

DBT divides the world into nine (9) regions, each led by His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC). The Middle East and Pakistan (MEaP) region is led from Dubai and represents 11 markets with a team of some 110 staff. 

The Kuwait DBT Team is looking for an experienced, dynamic, highly effective and driven Infrastructure, Smart Cities and Technology Adviser. You will be a strategic thinker who thrives when anticipating and proactively maximising opportunities or when tackling issues in a collaborative, practical, pragmatic and purposeful way. You will have experience managing and delivering complex infrastructure projects, programmes or policy and working closely with the relevant stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes. With the support of the Director and Deputy Director, you will take a lead on the oversight of large infrastructure projects, regularly engaging with and influencing major stakeholders. You will think creatively using your infrastructure expertise and experience to unblock project and programme challenges and have strong risk and issues management skills.  You will be organised and have a track record working collaboratively and sensitively across cultures and boundaries. You will have excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to prioritise your workload and respond flexibly as new priorities arise. You will have excellent interpersonal and influencing skills and build strong strategic working relationships with partners and colleagues. You will also be committed to developing your leadership capability, and exercise this by deputising for the Deputy Director as required. 

You should have demonstrable experience in Business Development and have an understanding of Project Management principles as you will be the DBT lead for Kuwait on Infrastructure and Smart Cities encompassing the built environment, transport (railways, roads, water and aviation), and working within the wider Kuwait DBT team. 

This is a key role in the team and this position will see you exposed to Ministers and CEOs of large companies, and therefore effective communication skills and a high level of resilience and persistence are essential, alongside excellent drafting skills and the ability to turn round work quickly and under pressure. The role also involves collaborating closely with senior managers to ensure that the DBT team provides first class support to UK companies looking to work and trade in the Kuwait and MEaP region. We are target driven, so demonstrable experience in achieving successful commercial outcomes will be key. 

The job holder will be required to have knowledge of the infrastructure and transport sector and be able to represent DBT Kuwait across all aspects of the role including public speaking and representing the government at a senior level, providing advice to the Ambassador and Regional Trade Commissioner in addition to visiting Ministers and senior DBT officials. There will also be the opportunity to pick-up new sectors. We need to be agile and align our activities to priorities of both the UK and Kuwait, as those change, so too will our focus.  

Due to the cross-cutting nature of the sector the successful candidate will have to work closely with the political, prosperity, science and innovation and economic teams in the embassy and with other sector leads in DBT, as well as the Investment team and UK Export Finance.

The jobholder will also be expected to support and collaborate with infrastructure and transport colleagues across the region, particularly when they are visiting for major trade shows/meetings. They will need strong engagement with the London sector teams to align focus, effort, and skills for Kuwait and the MEaP region.

Main duties and responsibilities:  

• Develop the sector strategy, working with the Director to grow UK exports in infrastructure, smart cities and technology sectors to Kuwait.
• Lead on scoping opportunities in the infrastructure, smart cities and technology sectors from cross-sectoral high value Kuwait projects and work closely with wider DBT Kuwait team, particularly the DBT Energy Specialist, on projects of mutual interest in which UK businesses might successfully bid, to secure export wins for UK companies.
• Lead on Government-to-Government activities such as Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and policy development. Develop strategic cooperation between the UK and Kuwait, pulling on support from the Ambassador, Trade Commissioner, Director and Ministers to help deliver.
• Proactive Business Development in order to maintain, build and proactively develop strategic contacts with key stakeholders (both Government and Private Commercial Entities) in market to identify new commercial opportunities as they arise and promote existing opportunities in UK Industry’s pipeline.
• Effective stakeholder engagement to build and manage effective working relationships with senior leaders in MEaP, colleagues across DBT including International Trade Advisers and Sector teams to increase their trade activity in the market and connect them with key stakeholders.
• Develop partnerships with DBT regional offices, DBT Sectors Group, Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations, and any other notable business organisations including attending networking events in and out of hours.
• Provide Market Access and, where required, work with HMG colleagues towards elimination of barriers to trade for UK plc in the market.
• Undertake visits to the UK for promotion of market opportunities in the relevant sectors.
• Prepare annual business plans and strategies for the sector and regularly update sector reports.
• Making presentations at seminars and other DBT events in Kuwait and UK and contribute to in-market briefings to promote UK expertise in the sector.
• Provide written and oral briefings for high level visits quickly whilst under pressure.
• Devise and run VIP programmes for Ministers and senior DBT staff visits through scheduling high-level meetings, organising activities, and preparing briefing materials.

DBT service delivery 

• Work closely with key stakeholders, including UKEF (UK Export Finance) to keep pipeline opportunities information and progress updated, agree action and share key insights with regional colleagues.
• Contribute to the generation of export wins, export opportunities, and other metrics including stakeholder engagement figures to contribute towards DBT targets.
• Provide senior level support, advice, and insight regarding the commercial environment in Kuwait.
• Represent the commercial viewpoint of the British Embassy beyond the DBT team, across the Embassy and externally.
• Support DBT events in Kuwait including exhibitions, seminars, market visits and supervision of programmes for UK delegates visiting the market.

Wider Embassy activities 

• Contribute towards wider Embassy activities and crisis preparedness.
• Assist the Embassy team in planning for VVIP visits as required.

The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required, including participating in the Embassy’s emergency planning and any response to a crisis.  

Key behaviours required for the job: 

• Managing a Quality Service: Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
• Delivering at Pace: Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
• Working Together: Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• Making Effective Decisions: Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice.  Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.

Eligibility:

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as you:

• Are legally resident in Kuwait (Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country); and
• Complete and successfully pass all local and UK security checks, including professional background checks.

• Experience of working in Kuwait and/or Middle East region.
• Minimum 3 – 5 years demonstrated commercial experience and familiarity on working closely with Industry.
• Proven, effective stakeholder influencing, management and collaboration.
• Ability to think strategically and see the big picture.
• Strong oral and written communications skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas in a way that is convincing and compelling.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and able to influence and network confidently with industry leaders, government officials, and senior business people.
• Ability to effectively work under tight deadlines and in a fast paced environment.
• Experience of working with senior level interlocutors.
• Experience of brief writing and public speaking.
• Team player with experience in working in large, complex environments and a willingness to work across boundaries.
• Strong work ethics, organisational skills and keen attention to detail.
• Excellent computer & IT skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams).
• Superior professionalism and judgment.
• Delivery of high-quality day-to-day data management.
• An Undergraduate degree in a relevant field.
• Knowledge or experience of the UK and/or British businesses