View Vacancy – Agri-tech Trade Officer

Main purpose of job:

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is the Trade and Investment Promotion and Negotiation organisation for the UK. We promote British trade and investment across the world, we support UK businesses overseas and attract foreign investment to our shores. We have 3,000 staff across the globe in over 100 countries.  
 
DBT divides the world into 9 regions, each led by Her Majesty’s Trade Commissioner. The Latin American and the Caribbean Region (LATAC) is led from Sao Paulo by Jonathan Knott. His Deputy is located in Mexico City. The Network is represented in 19 Posts with a team of over 140. We are structured with Country Directors and Sector Leads who support British firms to win business in their respective sector. 

We are currently looking to recruit a full-time Trade Officer for our Agriculture Technology (Agri-tech) Sector. The UK has a strong offer in the Agri-tech sector including in animal health, aquaculture, plant science and precision agriculture. We are looking for an experienced, high performing, delivery focused individual who can hit the ground running and help win business for British firms. This position will be based in La Paz, Bolivia, and will report directly to the DBT Country Director in Bolivia and the DBT Agri-tech sector lead for LATAC based in Buenos Aires.

The role will suit a team player who is open to new ideas and ways of working, is discreet and capable of working with constantly changing priorities and managing a full workload. 

Roles and responsibilities:

Agri-tech Regional Tasks (50%)

• Support DBT officers across the network in the development of a robust pipeline of opportunities and ensure successful commercial outcomes for British businesses across different subsectors in Agritech, according to the Sector Trade Plan’s goals, milestones and deliverables.
• Support the DBT Agritech sector in Latin America on its business-as-usual activities such as commercial missions, organization of events, webinars, trips, databases and research on Agri-tech on the different subregions and countries active on the Agri-tech campaign for the successful delivery of the Sector Trade Plan, under direct coordination of DBT Agri-tech Sector Lead for LATAC, based in Buenos Aires.
• Work alongside other commercial officers in several LATAC countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Jamaica) to develop regional initiatives and share useful information. The core is to support UK companies currently in market or looking to enter the market, helping them spot the opportunities, and helping them navigate the challenges faced in each market. The new officer will need to work closely with FCDO colleagues as needed.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationship with DBT HQ and other HMG colleagues, leveraging appropriate expertise and support to help UK companies.
• Understand Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures and other market access barriers in Agri-tech and support plans to address them.
• Undertake research and reporting on the local, regional, and multilateral trade policy environment and local context. Work as part of a team on reporting, analysis, briefings and presentations on trade policy and market access issues.
• Understand Trade Policy key topics in Agriculture to support HMG approach ang engagement in the region, in matters such as Conversion and Deforestation Free commodities, Standards, Climate Change, Sustainability, and Carbon Border Adjustment, among others.
• Follow policy developments in the agriculture sector. Identify risks coming from such policies Engage with local stakeholders such as Chambers of Commerce and Farmers Organizations to understand their views/objectives.
• Be an active member of the regional DBT LATAC team.

Agri-tech Bolivia tasks (25%) 

• Support the development of a robust pipeline of opportunities and ensure successful commercial outcomes for British businesses across different subsectors in Agri-tech in Bolivia. The new officer will need to ensure these align to the pillars of the LATAC Regional Trade Plan, and our strategy for the region and for the country. The plan covers: Opening Markets (market access and trade deals); Trade promotion, and FDI.
• Continuous engagement with private sector stakeholders and government authorities.
• Support a number of key projects: opportunities in Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, La Paz and other key markets for the Agri-Tech sector in Bolivia.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationship with DBT LATAC and other HMG colleagues in post, leveraging appropriate expertise and support to help UK companies.
• Ensure alignment with current HMG initiatives, such as the FCDO commercial team; Official Development Assistance (ODA) programmes; and explore Multi-lateral Aid Initiatives (World Bank etc.); to ensure DBT is maximising secondary benefits for UK firms.

Administrative and logistical support (25%) 

• Support DBT Bolivia on its business-as-usual activities such as commercial missions, organization of events, trips, databases and research on Agri-tech and other relevant sectors for the successful delivery of the Country Trade Plan, under direct coordination of DBT Bolivia Country Director.
• Work as a flexible member of the Embassy to support wider Embassy work as needed, including but not limited to, Crisis Work and other HMG work and activities.

• Undergraduate degree and other relevant professional qualification or experience.
• Significant work experience in a commercially focused role, or trade and investment field.
• Proven ability to secure commercial outcomes and/or wins.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Experience of working with teams across multiple countries and cultures in LATAC.
• Proven track record of cross-team collaboration
• A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see way through challenges.
• Understanding of trade and investment work.

Language requirements: 

Language:  English and Spanish

Level of language required:  Full fluency in English and Spanish (written and verbal) are essential.