Position: Trade & Investment Officer (Financial Services)
Position Code: 4574815
Grade:   LEII
Contract duration: Permanent position
Position Open to: qualified Chinese Nationals and British Nationals with a valid “W” or “Z” visa.


Main Purpose of the Job:

The British Embassy is recruiting a UK Trade & Investment Officer for the UKTI China Financial Services Team.  This is a busy, challenging position where the candidate will work as part of a dynamic China wide network that works closely with the UK and Chinese financial services community and key government stakeholders both in China and the UK.  As part of a nine person China-wide network, the Trade & Investment Officer (Financial Services) will play an important role in arranging programmes and events for senior UK financial services visitors to China. The candidate will lead on Banking and Sovereign Wealth Fund matters.

In support of the UK Chancellors City Strategy the China Financial Services Team has developed and implemented the CityUK China Market Plan. Now in its third year the China Marketing Strategy aims to place the UK and its financial institutions as China’s partner of choice and location of choice when internationalising their business. Since May 2007 the UKTI China Financial Services Team has supported VIP visits to China including the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Lord Mayor of the City of London. UKTI has given around 150 UK companies access to Chinese financial regulators through the annual Lord Mayor visits. We lobby the Chinese government on important market access issues to UK companies and in conjunction with the China Britain Business Council, organise marketing events to showcase UK expertise.  Indeed, over the last two years we have arranged a variety of events that have showcased UK expertise to over 3000 Chinese companies nation-wide.  The Financial Services team will also market UK financial services sector strengths through running events surrounding the Shanghai EXPO 2010.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate determination, self-motivation and a pro-active approach to supporting the wider team in reaching its marketing, company assistance and revenue targets.

Duties and responsibilities
• Act as the sub sector lead for the Banking Sector and Sovereign Wealth Funds. This will involve developing an understanding of the sector and the key contacts in it. Also preparing routine briefing on this sector and regularly visiting UK companies in China to better understand their interests and concerns;
• Target and develop a good working relationship with Chinese government and banking officials;
• Meet with visiting UK businessmen and offering advice and assistance on developing their plans in China;
• Compiling detailed market research for (paying) UK customers on the Banking & Sovereign Wealth Fund sectors with little direct supervision. Lead on arranging meetings for UK companies with Chinese businesses and government departments.
• Assist the Team and Deputy Team leader (based in Shanghai) on our marketing strategy in China. Develop relations with the Chinese financial services media.
• Project manage events such as visits from UK delegations, visits to the UK by Chinese government delegation, marketing seminars and receptions.
• Meeting both our UKTI service delivery targets for assisting UK companies and our chargeable services targets.

Personal Qualities and skills requirements:
• A working knowledge of the UK or Chinese financial services sector is desirable. Previous work experience (5 years) is recommended. Financial services work experience sector is highly desirable;
• A self motivated, determined individual who is pro-active about reaching targets;
• A confidence to work with Chinese business contacts and working level government officials;
• The ability to remain calm, and polite under pressure;
• Fluency in both Mandarin and English (spoken and written)
• Computer literate;
• The ability to work both independently and a part of a team;
• The ability to prioritise work and handle multiple tasks;
• The ability to resolve routine problems on their own and offer possible solution to more complex issues;
• Possession of a valid “Beijing Hukou” is desirable;
• Be able to obtain satisfactory security clearance.

The position offers the candidate a good career and personal development opportunity, including the chance to gain a good understanding of the UK and Chinese financial services industry, and experience of operating in a predominately English speaking environment.  This is an opportunity to work in an important, high profile team within the Embassy in an area of real importance to the UK.  People find working for UK Trade & Investment to be a rewarding and fun experience.  The jobholder will have the opportunity to meet & network with some of the UK & China’s leading financial & business services companies.  

Training, including a UK based week long Industry Briefing Course and sponsorship to complete a Chartered Institute of Securities Investment foundation course on investment will be provided.  The British Embassy is an Investor in People accredited organisation and takes its commitment to its staff very seriously.

The candidate will have opportunity to travel within China on business trips and team meetings.


General Conditions:

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, performance related bonus, good leave entitlement and insurance plan, multi-cultural environment, well-designed training and development opportunities etc. The gross salary for this position before all deductions is RMB8,502/month. The successful candidate will be employed under locally employed staff conditions within the British Embassy.  Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/week from Monday to Friday.


How to apply:

Deadline for applying is 17:00pm, Wednesday, 23 December 2009 (Beijing Time).

The British Embassy is an equal opportunity employer. The British Embassy is an equal opportunity employer and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Both female and male candidates are also equally encouraged to apply. Each application will be considered carefully. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates short - listed for interview will be contacted.

If you are interested and meet the above-stated criteria, please send your CV together with a one-page of A4 letter explaining why you think you are suitable for this position (please clearly mark the Position Code and Position Title under the “subject” title of your email or fax), to:

The HR Office
The British Embassy
11 Guanghua Lu
Beijing 100600
Fax: 51924204
E-mail: [email protected]