Job Openings at British High Commission Nigeria – 2 Positions

The British Government is recruiting to fill the following vacant positions:

1.) UK-Nigeria Tech Hub Operations Manager

2.) Regional Market Entry Advisor - Department for International Trade

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, 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.

Ref Id: 20/20 LOS
Location: Lagos
Grade: B3 (L)
Type of Position: Fixed Term
Duration of Post: 12 months
Start Date: 1 October 2020
Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: Economic and Prosperity

Main Purpose of Job

• This is an exciting opportunity to support the establishment and success of a new, innovative and high-profile Tech Hub in Nigeria that will aim to develop the Nigerian tech ecosystem, deliver digital skills programmes, and drive partnership and collaboration within the technology ecosystem.
• We are looking for an organised and enthusiastic individual to provide a broad range of administrative, project management and communications support across the team. The hub will be one of four critical pillars of a new Prosperity Fund programme to drive greater digital access in countries like Nigeria. New and innovative, the Prosperity Fund (PF) represents a step change in HMG’s approach to promoting economic development and prosperity overseas.
• The PF was established under the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) with the primary aim of supporting growth in recipient countries and thereby reducing poverty. As such, it represents a key component of the prosperity pillar of the UK Aid Strategy. But the Fund uniquely focuses on promoting growth in ODA-eligible middle income countries, which are home to around 60% of the world’s poor and where the development challenges remain significant, but at the same time are important business partners and drivers of prosperity. By delivering high impact, strategic multi-year programmes, across high opportunity countries, regions and sectors, the Fund will help create opportunities for international business, including UK companies. As the UK leaves the EU, an even more outward-looking global Britain investing and trading with the fastest growing markets will become increasingly important.
• The UK-Nigeria Tech Hub will be one of the first in a global network of international tech partnerships developed by the UK government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to build digital ecosystems that will facilitate sustainable economic growth and development. They follow the example of successful hubs elsewhere in the world, such as the UK-Israel Hub in Tel Aviv.
• The Hub will have three main aims:
  • Deliver tailored interventions to cultivate digital skills responding to the needs and opportunities for inclusion in the local tech sector. This could include,  for example, promoting opportunities for youth and women in the local tech sector;
  • Support tech entrepreneurship through partnerships with local digital ecosystem stakeholders including incubators, accelerators and private sector firms, Kenyan government departments and agencies and non-profit organisations
  • Facilitate partnerships between local tech firms (including tech start-ups) and international companies (across all sectors) in the form of commercial partnerships or joint ventures.
• The successful applicant will play a key role in establishing processes for the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub.

Roles and Responsibilities / What will the Jobholder be Expected to Achieve

• Supporting the delivery of hub programmes  by providing administrative, coordination, communication and project management of hub programmes
• Developing relationships with local tech firms, start-ups and wider tech sector stakeholders, using these to support the delivery and development of new partnerships and programmes
• Managing the development of a suite of externally facing marketing and communications materials and platforms that supports the work of the UK- Nigeria Tech Hub. Lead on identifying comms opportunities for the Hub and working with the DCMS comms team and key FCO comms contacts to promote the Tech Hub network to local and international businesses and community
• Support the Hub’s work by planning and executing high profile events and programmes: assume a key role in planning projects and events such as business delegations, conferences and receptions. Work with external suppliers to negotiate venue hire, hotel bookings, tech support, produce materials etc.;
• Support on design and implementation the Hub’s policies by establishing and maintaining standards, systems and procedures;
• Lead work on to support the initiation, delivery, operations and logistical components for the Hub’s activities;
• Preparing briefing materials project plans, and travel arrangements, and securing engagement opportunities for the Hub team to promote its work effectively
• Process payments and manage Hub’s procurement process and budget.

Resources managed:

• The post holder will be based in Lagos and will be part of a small team of locally-engaged staff, based within the British High Commission. The post holder will report to the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub Director. The Tech Hub Network is funded as part of a cross-government, Prosperity-funded programme, and so collaboration across departments will be a critical success factor in this role.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Experience of developing communications materials including social media management
• IT literate, and able to learn how to use new IT systems quickly;
• Strong administrative and/or project management experience;
• Well organised with good attention to detail;
• Able to work flexibly and pick up corporate processes quickly;
• Able to work independently as well as part of a team;
• Confident at decision making, within agreed boundaries;
• Interest in the innovation and technology sector
• Able to communicate effectively at all levels, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders.

Required competencies:

• Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace.

Starting Monthly Salary
N 539, 370

Other benefits and conditions of employment:

• We place a strong emphasis on learning and development. You will be encouraged to undertake developmental training and get involved in corporate activities.
• This role provides an excellent opportunity to build up programme knowledge and expertise and gain exposure to working across government.
• You will have access to existing and new Project & Programme Management L&D as well as wider job-relevant L&D and support for your own personal development.

Application Closing Date
13th September, 2020.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Additional Information  

• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
• Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Lagos are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Nigeria.
• All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
• The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to:
  • Obtain the relevant permit
  • Pay fees for the permit
  • Make arrangements to relocate
  • Meet the costs to relocation
• The British High Commission does not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
• Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
• Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.
• The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.

Location: Lagos
Department: International Trade
Grade: C4 (L)
Type of Position: Fixed Term, Fixed term, with the possibility of renewal
Working Hours per week: 36 (Monday - Thursday 7:30-3:30, Friday 7:30-1:30)
Duration of Post: 24 months
Start Date: 2nd October, 2020
Slot: 4

Background and Purpose of the Job
This is an exciting time to join the Department for International Trade (DIT). Our aim is to promote British trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DIT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to the success of the UK's trade goals.

DIT is recruiting for four roles in the Trade Services Unit (TSU) team, to be based in Cairo, Lagos, Nairobi and Johannesburg but each covering the wider North, East, South and West African regions. The jobholders will report to the TSU Director, based in London, and will be repsonsible for delivering advisory services to UK companies interested in exporting to and investing in Africa. This advice will centre on route to market (market entry) options. Where required, TSU Advisors will also be in a position to refer companies needing additional specialist and professional services not offered by DIT to in-market vetted private sector companies. TSU Advisors will also be responsible for the relationship with these in market providers, ensuring they provide the service envisaged to our companies, and tracking whether our companies progress to win business.

You will join the Department for International Trade’s Africa network providing cricual expertise as part of our offer to UK businesses exporting into the continent. You will be networked closely with colleagues from across DIT Africa and other UK Departments, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office when necessary. You will also need to actively engage with external stakeholders in the private sector.

Roles and Responsibilities
The jobholder will take full responsibility for leading on all TSU activities in their respective regions. They will:

• Increase the value of UK exports by helping our companies gain entry to African markets;
• They will do this by providing tailored advice to UK businesses, helping them identify their route to market, their market entry needs, flagging market barriers, and advising on options for making progress;
• Support UK businesses establish effective export strategies and if needed, assist them in sourcing addition support through an Overseas Referral Network, ensuring regular follow up to remain a key player in their client’s export journey, tracking the service delivery so that the support given is fit for purpose and identify if further help is needed;
• Work with the Operations Team to maintain market intelligence to support dialogue with clients and build collaborative relationships with both British and African business in each region, including with a view to updating and expanding the Overseas Referral Network;
• Ensure appropriate export account management is followed and businesses are linked in to the International Trade Advisor Network;
• Upload business interactions weekly on to Data Hub and shared spreadsheets;
• Promote the market entry offer to British companies, UK Regions and Devolved Administrations, with a view to increase demand and visibility to SMEs across the UK;
• Maintain a thorough understanding of all of the markets in their region working closely with Posts and directing business to opportunities not just in the primary market.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Fluent written and spoken English
• 5+ years of relevant advisory experience in either the private or public sector, ideally on an international basis;
• Relevant Degree and work experience with a track record of delivery through collaboration and partnering in complex environments
• Ability to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines;
• Resourcefulness in solving problems;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and comfortable dealing with senior officials and business people.

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Private sector experience in a consultancy environment
• Experience of working in a virtual team.

Required Competencies:

• Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace.

Starting Monthly Salary

• NGN827,892.98

Other Benefits and Conditions of Employment:

• Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed)
• The successful applicant will have access to a range of Learning and Development opportunities within DIT and e-learning, with the potential for overseas training
• From time to time there will be requirements to assist other teams within the Department, building overall resilience and broader experience.

Application Closing Date
7th September, 2020.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Additional Information

• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted
• There will be travel requirements and opportunities both within Lagos and Nigeria
• All applicants must be legally able to work in Nigeria with the correct visa/status or work permit
• Staff members recruited locally by the British High Commission in Lagos are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Nigerian employment law
• Spouses/registered partners of UK Based Staff, are able to work within the BHC / BCG but their salary will be abated at the appropriate tax rates
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on the successful applicant.
• The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to:
  • Obtain the relevant permit
  • Pay fees for the permit
  • Make arrangements to relocate
  • Meet the costs to relocation
• The British High Commission does not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
• Employees who are not eligible to pay local income tax: e.g. certain third-country nationals and spouses/partners of UK diplomats will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
• Information about the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Competency Framework can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-competency-framework Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5

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