The jobholder will join a dynamic network of committed trade officers working to support Africa’s exciting economic growth and position at the heart of the future world economy. This is an exciting time to join DIT Africa, as we continue to expand our resources to deliver on the ambition of our current Government to be Africa’s trade and investment partner of choice.
Roles and responsibilities:
The Department for International Trade in Africa wants to mainstream a ‘Green Economy’ approach into all its work across Africa. This means supporting in all our priority sectors of activity the commercial, regulatory and investment solutions for Africa that help to reduce the contribution of carbon in their economies.
You will support our Green Economy Sector Director in Ghana with the development of a plan to guide the DIT network across the continent. That support will contribute your expert understanding of how low carbon interventions can be made in each economic sector and how they might be applied in an African context.
You will also closely vet DIT’s other sector plans and work with the Sector Directors to ensure that planned activity in Africa is contributing the most it can to low carbon transition and green growth. You will advise on technologies, on regulatory frameworks, and on financing structures (like Green Finance) to support change and improvement.
At the core of your role you will develop close understanding for African needs and the viability of different approaches to carbon reduction. You will bring a commercial perspective to this work trying to find the areas where commercial, investment or regulatory intervention could help. This will be in complement to other actors for the British Government, with whom you will forge close working relationships, whose primary interests in e.g. climate resilience and/or emissions reductions will align. You will work to understand the contribution of International Climate Finance, DFID and other programmes, so that DIT can support while also adding value in its commercial and trade policy sphere.
You will forge close relationships with African regulators, developers and companies such that you can interpret their needs and develop solutions with and for them. You will then be able to translate those to officials less familiar with the sector and possibly to UK and international companies too. You will look for all opportunities to encourage transition to low carbon technologies, and will seek to help Africa find the regulatory and tariff structures to incentivise that change. You will seek, first and foremost, to progress their plans and assist in their capability, but you will have a good knowledge of international best practice to contribute.
Your aim will be to help African energy decision makers understand where a commercial green economy application could deliver on or raise their ambition. You will not be so concerned with aligning African plans to UK solutions, but it would help to understand UK capabilities, public and private, especially in the area of research and innovation. For this you would make connections to the UK’s innovation centres and support work that could have mutual benefit in bringing ground-breaking techniques to Africa.
Your role will be advisory, but you would be expected to show a clear contribution to relationship development with African developers, to a ‘greening’ of our plans in every sector, and to the upskilling of our network as they better understand how to target solutions for African needs.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
Postgraduate degree or undergraduate degree and other relevant professional qualification or experience.
At least six years’ experience working in the renewable energy, green economy or related fields
Experience of working in or with government departments, NGOs, and similar institutions
Proven track record of cross-team collaboration
A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges.
Knowledge of, and a keen interest in the green economy and its applicability to Africa
Knowledge of African markets and/or African sustainable development.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
Understanding of UK Export Finance and Development Finance, although training will be provided.
Required competencies
Seeing the Big Picture, Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes, Engaging Internationally
Application deadline
19 August 2020
Grade
D6 (L)
Type of Position
Fixed Term, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
Duration of Post
12 months
Region
Africa
Country/Territory
Kenya
Location (City)
Nairobi
Type of Post
British High Commission
Number of vacancies
1
Starting monthly salary ()
KES 978, 375.52
Start Date
1 October 2020
Other benefits and conditions of employment
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
This role provides enormous opportunities to grow and develop given its pan-Africa leadership role.
You will have access to the full suite of DIT and FCO learning and development opportunities including the FCO’s Diplomatic Academy, training in the UK, and will be encouraged to join DIT’s trade profession. We also provide regular in-house learning opportunities and are committed to supporting further academic opportunities. Our staff who demonstrate great leadership potential are encouraged to apply for the FCO’s pan-African Emerging Leadership Programme.
The successful applicant will be expected to complete the Certificate in UK Export Finance within the first three months of the role.
Working Hours
Working hours are Monday – Thursday 8:00 – 16:30 and Friday 8:00 – 13:30
Additional information
Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Nairo
Apply via :
fco.tal.net