Overview
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is the Trade Promotion and Negotiation organisation for the UK. 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.
DITAfrica is one of the nine DIT global networks and is led by Emma Wade-Smith, HM Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Africa.The Africa Region is exciting and energising and UK firms have a strong presence here, making the UK the the second largest investor on the continent. With some of the strongest growing economies in the world and booming population growth there are numerous more opportunities for UK firms; from tech start-ups in the West to infrastructure in the East. The Network’s role is to promote these opportunities and position the UK as the continent’s number one trading partner and investor.
DIT in Kenya is based in Nairobi, and is a part of the wider British High Commission in Kenya. On a daily basis, you will report to the Country Director for Kenya, with strategic direction provided by the Department’s Director for Investment for Africa, based in Cape Town. You will be a part of the wider Prosperity team comprising DIT, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DFID) colleagues all working to improve economic development, investment and trade between the UK and Kenya.
The role
The UK government has committed to radically expand its presence in Africa. The primary objective of your role is to encourage private sector led growth, by protecting and promoting investment and leveraging the strengths of businesses in order to support the poverty reduction, investment and broader economic objectives of Kenya, as well as supporting the UK’s investment ambitions in Africa.
Working in support of Kenya and the UK’s prosperity agenda, your objectives will be:
InvestmentYour role will be funded from UK Official Development Assistance (ODA). This reflects your main objective as poverty reduction in Kenya, enabled by private sector led growth.
Roles and responsibilities:
You will establish a world-class investment support function in Kenya
Map existing British businesses in Kenya and prioritise relationship building with those with greatest investment in jeopardy or in progress that UK Government can support.
Address ‘High Value Barriers’ in Kenya that inhibit investment and convene working groups to address them, using VIPs (Ministers) and HMG senior officials to unblock issues where relevant.
Work with private sector partners to develop a deal flow of investment in Kenya that promote mutual prosperity
Promote Kenya to potential new investors, managing an events schedule that ensures maximum visibility of the UK offer, and partner with investment promotion agencies to do this.
Build strategic relationships with business and other interlocutors to support your objectives.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
Postgraduate degree and/or undergraduate degree and other professional qualification.
At least eight years professional work experience
Proven client facing experience, for example with an investment promotion agency, professional services firm, but preferably in the investment sector in Kenya
A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges.
Knowledge of, and a keen interest in sustainable development (additional training will be given)
Fluency in the language of business and investment
Excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills are critical for this role
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
Experience of the following: business development, understanding issues and pursuing strategies together, investment appraisal, deal pipeline preparation, deal brokering, advisory
Excellent drafting skills
Leadership experience
Demonstrable knowledge of the UK, especially the UK regions and the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Experience of working in organisations with a matrix management structure
Required competencies
Changing and Improving, Building Capability for All, Achieving Commercial Outcomes, Managing a Quality Service
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