The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability.
We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
You will work within the Department of Business and Trade (DBT) and as an integral part of the British High Commission Nairobi Trade team in the pursuit of the objectives set out in DBT’s Trade Plan for Africa and the Country Plan for Kenya. As Market Access Advisor, you will lead the team’s work to identify market access barriers, analysing and prioritising these issues and then developing and executing influencing strategies in order to remove them. You will also work on campaigns to support the improvement of Kenya’s broader business environment and on the delivery of the UK-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement.
We are the department for economic growth. We support UK businesses to invest, grow and export, creating jobs and opportunities across the country. We promote UK businesses overseas and attract foreign investment to our shores. We have 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries. Our aspiration is to address some of the challenges facing the UK, by helping British businesses to internationalise and grow overseas and as well as helping African businesses better engage with the UK and the world.
DBT Africa is one of the nine DBT global networks and is led by John Humphrey, HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa. The Africa Region is exciting and energising and UK firms have a strong presence here, making the UK one of the largest investors in the continent. With some of the strongest growing economies in the world and booming population growth there are numerous more opportunities for UK firms. The Network’s role is to promote these opportunities and position the UK as the continent’s number one trading partner and investor.
DBT in Kenya is based at the British High Commission in Nairobi. We are a core part of the wider economic-focused Prosperity Team comprising DBT, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), all working to alleviate poverty, improve economic development, and enhance investment and trade between the UK and Kenya.
Roles and responsibilities
The role will require strong interpersonal and organisational skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships; the confidence to negotiate between senior internal and external government stakeholders will be of particular benefit. It will require close teamwork with UK High Commission colleagues, lending corporate support where necessary.
The jobholder will be a confident self-starter, a team player with excellent communication skills, and the ability to network with a wide range of contacts at senior levels in government, international agencies and the private sector. In addition, they will be expected to provide high quality analysis and advice on sector-specific developments.
Language requirements:
Language: Fluency in English (both oral and written)
Level of language required: Fluency in English (both oral and written)
Potential project budgets of up to ca. £100,000.
Working patterns:
This is a full time position of 36 hours per week.
Leave:
Members of staff are entitled to paid annual leave, which is earned, from the day they commence employment. Entitlements are as follows:
Grades C 4(L) 30 days
In addition to annual leave, the BHC normally observes no fewer than 9 and no more than 14 Kenyan and British public and religious holidays in a year. These vary from year to year and are at the discretion of the High Commissioner. A list of holidays is published each year.
Learning and development opportunities:
The British High Commission is committed to supporting all staff to reach their potential. A wide range of learning and development opportunities are available in Nairobi and in the UK, covering both technical and more general skills. Officers are encouraged to develop learning and development plans as part of the FCDO annual performance management process.