*RESIDENTS OF MONTERREY/NUEVO LEÓN ONLY* Senior Trade Officer - Automotive and Advanced Enginee[...]

View Vacancy - *RESIDENTS OF MONTERREY/NUEVO LEÓN ONLY* Senior Trade Officer - Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors (British Consulate-General Monterrey)

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 identity, 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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category: Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)

Job Subcategory: Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Main purpose of job:

The Senior Trade Officer will provide support to the Head of Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors within the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) at the British Consulate in Monterrey, Mexico, in their efforts to support the development and promotion of business opportunities throughout Mexico, for UK companies within the Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors (Manufacturing Technologies).

This position will suit an energetic team player and motivated self-starter with a passion and genuine interest in international business and trade. It will require a positive, flexible and proactive attitude in terms of unlocking opportunities for UK companies in Mexico.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on improving bilateral trade relations between the United Kingdom and Mexico, through increased trade flow and enhancing knowledge-sharing networks and ecosystems in fast-growing sectors such as the Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors (Manufacturing Technologies).

You will have the opportunity to gain experience in organising trade promotion activities within Mexico, and potentially the wider region and the UK. Additionally, you will gain high-level experience dealing with senior business stakeholders and large companies while developing your knowledge of the Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors (Manufacturing Technologies) in both Mexico and the UK.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) of the Government of the United Kingdom aims to secure UK and global prosperity by promoting and financing international trade and investment, and championing free trade by:

• Bringing together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment, and help businesses succeed.
• Promoting British trade and investment across the world.
• Building the global appetite for British goods and services.

The DBT in Mexico is recruiting for the position of Senior Trade Officer, for the Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors, at the British Consulate in Monterrey Mexico, to contribute to this ambition.

This is a full-time position starting in late November 2024, subject to receipt of a successful security clearance.

Roles and responsibilities:

Teamwork skills and flexibility, including multi-tasking abilities, are essential for this position.

Commercial Role (90%):

The Senior Trade Officer for the Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors (AESC), in DBT, at the British Consulate in Monterrey Mexico, will mainly support the development and promotion of business opportunities throughout Mexico for UK companies from the Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors (Manufacturing Technologies) by:

• Proactively seizing market/business opportunities for UK companies with a focus on the Sector strategy for the delivery of the established targets for each Financial Year.
• Opening opportunities in the different distribution channels in the country to increase the number of UK products in the Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors (Manufacturing Technologies); including regional communication and guidance to other LATAC countries when needed, and constant communication and sharing best practices/pipeline with our colleagues in DBT AESC Brazil.
• Providing advice, guidance and local support to UK companies in their export journey to Mexico, paying particular focus:
• Supporting Automotive and Advanced Engineering UK companies already with presence in the Mexican market and supporting/guiding them when necessary.
• Constantly identifying and engaging Automotive and Advanced Engineering UK companies, new to the local market, including SMEs from different UK Regions, and supporting them with the process of exploration, familiarisation and guidance in the local market, through different commercial services, such as:
• Conducting comprehensive market research to identify new companies with the potential to expand to Mexico; market intelligence, organisation of virtual and visit agendas, high-level visits, verification of potential local contacts, organisation of business events (including virtual activities such as webinars), support in the organisation of outward and inward trade missions, provide regulatory information and business advice, and account management, among other tailored commercial services.
• Identifying UK sustainable technology solutions (and identifying local needs) from the UK Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors (Automotive: Electromobility / and Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies) to advance the teams’ cross sectoral Clean Growth targets.
• Identifying potential UK Business Successes (such as: local investment/manufacturing) by collaborating with Government promotion agencies, to guide UK companies in our sectors in this process.
• Developing and managing relationships with key stakeholders in the public and private sector, building a pipeline of opportunities in Mexico for UK companies, such as: industrial/local distributors, experts in commercial transactions (importers, custom brokers and lawyers), the local Automotive Supply Chain (OEMs and Tiers), industrial exhibition organisers, industrial clusters, government agencies, associations and chambers; among others, to increase the awareness and desire for UK industrial products.
• Supporting the long-term work on UK/MEX Free Trade Agreement negotiations, to bring down the non-trade barriers and guarantee market access of UK products in the Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors (Manufacturing Technologies), including the Electromobility field.
• Working closely with the Marketing and Communication team and contributing to communications and marketing activities the sector to promote the UK capabilities and achieve the highest impact possible for the correct audience (i.e. Constant publications on LinkedIn about our UK offer / Local opportunities for UK companies).
• Identifying market access barriers for the UK Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors (Manufacturing Technologies), developing and implementing plans with the Embassy trade policy team and industry representatives, to unblock these barriers via the relevant Mexican authorities.

Contribute to British Embassy life and values (10%):

• Line managing an intern.
• Supporting responsible financial practices by supporting in the management of budget, ensuring efficient project and procurement management of work in the local DBT Automotive and Advanced Engineering Team.
• As part of the DBT team, deliver work in line with Embassy Values (Honesty, Professionalism, Inclusion & Respect).

Contribute to corporate objectives of the Embassy by:

• Supporting locally the wider work of the DBT Mexico team and other Embassy sections when possible, including regional engagement in Nuevo Leon or Northern States; supporting with VIP Visits, internal coordination and planning; events, analysis and briefing, and contribute to the corporate objectives of the British Embassy in Mexico City.
• Collaborating with other Embassy colleagues, in other departments, covering trade and economic policy, climate change, consular section, among others.
• Promoting local British expertise in the Automotive and Advanced Engineering sectors amongst local decision makers, working with colleagues at DBT HQ in London to promote UK industry business opportunities in Mexico, and to inform Embassy strategies and latest developments.
• Collaborating with other UK government departments within the UK, to support cross-Government priorities such as clean growth and to support future commercial opportunities for the UK. Collaborating with UK Regions where our sectors are strong (i.e. Midlands) including ITAs based in UK Regions (International Trade Advisers), identifying synergies and contributing to shared goals across the Mission.
• Assisting with procurement for the British Consulate in Monterrey, in collaboration with the local team.
• Liaise with the Embassy’s Accounts/IT/and CST Teams, when necessary, to ensure the proper functioning of the local office/systems of the British Consulate in Monterrey.
• Liaise as appropriate with the Canadian Consulate in Monterrey and the British Embassy's Corporate Service team, to ensure that maintenance work of the shared office is carried out periodically and office supplies are purchased bi-monthly.

Resources managed (personnel):

• x1 Intern

Essential qualifications, skills and experience:

• Potential candidates require some previous knowledge about the general industrial/manufacturing field in Mexico; business community/culture; and overall knowledge about the local business opportunities in the Automotive and Advanced Engineering Sectors in Mexico (Manufacturing Technologies).
• Demonstrated work experience in international trade, including Mexican business environment (especially in Monterrey).
• University degree in Business Administration, Economics, International Relations or related areas or equivalent working experience.
• A positive, honest and loyal team player willing to contribute to the overall objectives. Teamwork skills, flexibility, including multi-tasking abilities, are essential for this position.
• Resilience to work under pressure with minimum supervision. Ability and flexibility to attend official functions outside of office hours when needed and to undertake domestic and international air travel, including overnight stays.
• Clear motivation and personal commitment to meeting challenging targets with a proven track record of achievement. Excellent account management, stakeholder management and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills internally and externally.
• Proactive attitude and ability to brainstorm and implement innovative ideas and methodologies to achieve an outcome. Analytical mindset with the ability to conduct market research, analyse data, and translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Experience in event organisation.
• MS Office literacy (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Written and spoken English and Spanish fluency (min. TOEFL 600 / IELTS 7).
• Legal status to live and work in Mexico in your own right, from time of application.
• Must be a resident of Monterrey or Nuevo León state.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:

• Knowledge of the British-Mexican trade relationship.
• Experience of working with UK companies/organisations.
• A good understanding of international trade and of Nuevo León’s economy.
• Familiarity with market entry strategies into Mexico for international companies.
• A network of industry contacts and knowledge of the Mexican Automotive and Adv. Engineering sectors.
• IT knowledge.

Required behaviours: Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

Grade: Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position: Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week: 38

Region: Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean

Country/Territory: Mexico

Location (City): Monterrey

Type of Post: British Consulate General

Number of vacancies: 1

Salary Currency: MXN

Type of Salary: monthly

Start Date: 25 November 2024

Other benefits and conditions of employment:

Security Training (online) and any other mandatory training indicated by our HERA system and/or British Embassy in Mexico.

Candidates must be able to live and work in Mexico in their own right. The successful candidate will be subject to a security clearance and professional reference checks.

Please ensure you answer all application questions in full as CVs will not be considered in the recruitment process until the interview stage.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Working patterns:

This role is permanent and full-time at 38 working hours per week. Please be aware that occasional out of hours work and international/domestic travel is required. Our standard business hours are Monday to Thursday between 8:00-16:30 and Friday between 8:00-14:00.

Important note: Employees are required to attend the office at least 24 hours per week (3 days approx.), with the option to work 2 days from home. This can change at any time, when instructed by our leaders and/or managers.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.

All staff at the British Embassy and its Consulates in Mexico are expected to work towards the UK mission statement of Building a UK/Mexico partnership, which makes the world and us more prosperous and secure, and to embody the Embassy’s agreed values of Honesty, Respect, Inclusion and Professionalism.

The FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.