•   Office Notice No – 06/15 ACC
•   Position: Deputy Head of UK Trade & Investment
•   Section: UK Trade &Investment- Accra
•   Grade: C4 (L)
•   Position Type: 1 Year Renewable Contract
•   Salary: 4,208 GHS

The British High Commission (BHC) Accra has a vacancy for a C4 (L) Deputy Head of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in the UK Trade & Investment section.

UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that helps UK based companies succeed in international markets, and overseas companies to bring high quality investment to the UK's vibrant economy.  It has two parent government departments, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).

UKTI Ghana is a busy team which offers a diverse, lively and challenging range of experience and opportunities to the successful applicant.  This is an exciting opportunity for candidates with the right experience and competences, to be part of an award-winning international trade organisation.

The job will involve overseas and internal travel.  There is a possibility in 2015 that the job may also cover some other countries in West Africa but will continue to be based in Ghana.

The main elements of the job include:

Direct support to the Head of UKTI Ghana and sector lead on Oil & Gas and Power for Ghana and Regional Mining, including:

•   Lead responsibility for the Oil & Gas and Power sectors in Ghana and Regional Mining (including Ghana)
•   Account management for UK companies with business interests the above sectors in Ghana
•   Proactively Identify commercial opportunities and monitor sector developments for UK companies,  and develop sector strategy in order to increase UK exports and investment to Ghana and deliver UKTI targets
•   Indentify projects for UKTI’s ‘High Value Opportunities’ (HVO) programme and work with the region on a potential mining HVO.
•   Provide direct support to UK companies looking to export to Ghana, through UKTI’s chargeable services (Overseas Market Introduction Service – OMIS), helping them to take informed decisions about their export and market strategies
•   Maintain an effective network of contacts across Ghanaian government ministries, trade organisations and the private sector.
•   Work with colleagues across the regional Sub Saharan Africa network and UKTI head office in London to maximise opportunities for UK companies, increase the impact of trade missions and other visits from and to the UK
•   Prepare briefings, conduct research, media work
•   Act as Deputy Head of UKTI and support the Head of UKTI with the implementation of UKTI strategy and the Joint Africa Framework.
•   Staff management.
•   Organise trade missions, events and VIP visits to Ghana
•   Support the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce project.

Qualification Required & Experience

The skills/attributes of the successful applicant should include:

•   A university degree or equivalent
•   Previous experience in a managerial position in the Oil & Gas/Power or mining sectors
•   Proven track record of delivering strategy and targets
•   Excellent interpersonal skills
•   A thorough understanding of the Ghanaian private and public sectors and economy in general
•   An thorough understanding of international trade issues
•   Public speaking skills
•   Strong IT skills using Microsoft software, (word, excel and PowerPoint).

Key competences required:

The British High Commission staff work according to the UK Civil Service Competency Framework relevant to each job.  The competences required for this job are:

Seeing the Big Picture: Seeing the big picture is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs

Collaborating and Partnering: People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done

Managing a Quality Service:  Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements

Delivering at Pace: Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes

Making Effective Decisions: Effectiveness in this area is about being objective; using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice

Achieving Commercial Outcomes: Effectiveness in this area is about finding alternative ways of working with partners and contractors to identify more efficient outcomes, balancing cost, quality and turnaround times

Building Capability for All: Effectiveness in this area is having a strong focus on continuous learning for oneself, others and the organisation. For all staff, it’s being open to learning, about keeping one’s own knowledge and skill set current and evolving.

Leading and Communicating: At all levels, effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens.

The successful applicant will need to observe the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s diversity and equality policies, show some flexibility over working hours, as there may on occasion be the requirement to work outside of office hours and to travel on official business if necessary.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Information for applicants

The appointment will be offered on an initial 1 year contract and subject to the satisfactory completion of a probationary period. Thereafter, the appointment will be renewed for periods of 12 months. Specific training and mentoring for the role will be provided for the successful candidate.

The successful applicant will demonstrate that they meet the requirements under Ghanaian law to work in Ghana, and to pass (or have passed) BHC internal security clearance.

NOTE:

•   All applicants must be legally able to work in Ghana with the correct visa/status or work permit.
•   The British High Commission in Accra is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
•   Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission in Accra is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Ghanaian employment law.
•   Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted.
•   If you have not heard from us 3 weeks after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.  Note: Any questions you may have about this position will only be answered during interview, should you be invited.

To Apply

•   Applicants should submit a short (1 page maximum) covering letter stating why they are a suitable candidate for the position along with a copy of their CV and application form.
•   Internal applicants should submit this along with a copy of their most recent 24 months of appraisal evidence (i.e. two full appraisals, or however many abridged appraisals, minutes etc to make up two years’ worth of evidence) to Human Resources, by email:

Recruitment.Africa@fco.gov.uk

Closing Date: 18 March, 2015

The closing date is the 18 March, 2015 and no further applications will be accepted after that date.  Please quote in the subject line if you are an internal candidate, or spouse of a diplomatic officer, with the Vacancy Notice No: 06/15 ACC

More information about the work of the British High Commission in Ghana can be found at http://ukinghana.fco.gov.uk/en/ and the work of UKTI can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-trade-investment