Prosperity Officer

Would you like the opportunity to work as part of a team dedicated to increasing the economic prosperity of both the United Kingdom and Kenya? A vacancy has arisen at the British High Commission for an LE II Prosperity Officer.  The Prosperity Team at the British High Commission in Nairobi works to build partnerships between British and Kenyan business, regulators and policy-makers to improve the competitiveness and productivity of both Britain and Kenya – and to forge more collaboration to make our economies work better, and work better together.

 The position is graded at LEII for which the current salary starts at Ksh. 156,655/- per month before deduction of tax.  Where the successful candidate is not liable to Kenyan tax, the salary will be abated under HM Treasury regulations to Ksh. 115,786/- per month to take account of the tax they would have paid. It is the policy to pay recruits at the minimum of the salary range for the grade.

Duties and responsibilities:

Working closely with the commercial team, prosperity complements the direct support we provide to businesses currently operating in or hoping to enter the Kenyan market, by looking at upstream issues, which are acting as a deterrent to greater British trade with Kenya.  The job holder will work to raise the reputation of the UK as the trading partner of choice for Kenya and to develop a business environment in which the UK is competitive to secure major contracts.    

We are looking for a flexible and dynamic person to drive forward this new and evolving policy area at the heart of the UK Government’s foreign policy (Prosperity is one of the top three priorities of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office).  You should be able to demonstrate an intelligent curiosity about what makes businesses engage in international cooperation; or what makes an economy open and competitive; or what measures increase and facilitate bilateral trade.  You should also be enthusiastic to help improve the business environment in Kenya and to increase cooperation between our two countries.  Knowledge of the United Kingdom would be a bonus, as would be experience in relevant fields such as commerce, market access, regulation, or economic reform - but it is not essential.

The main duties include:

  §   Mainstreaming commercial thinking throughout the different sections of the British High Commission, identifying mutual areas of interest with other teams and maintaining a strong cross-mission effort on the UK government’s prosperity agenda

  §   Identifying policy and regulatory barriers (such as counterfeiting, corruption, financing etc) to greater UK-Kenyan trade and devising strategies to address these, reporting to London on progress

  §   Designing and delivering project work to underpin these strategies.

  §   Devising and helping the BHC to deliver a plan to work more closely with all Kenyan organizations relevant to our prosperity goals, such as KAM, KEPSA, Ministry of Trade etc.

  §   Build a strong network of relevant contacts in Kenyan business, regulators and government bodies, and take oversight of the entire prosperity contacts network, identifying new contacts, and ensuring regular contact is kept with all key players

  §   Share best practice with prosperity colleagues in other countries in Africa to help support region-wide delivery.

Required Skills:-     

 

The successful candidate will require the following:-

  §   Education to at least degree level, preferably in a subject relevant to the position being applied for and a strong track record of relevant experience, achievements and enthusiasm for the subject matter.

  §   Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, including the ability to write reports and give presentations, and use MS Office packages routinely.

  §   The ability to think independently, research and analyse issues, and make policy recommendations.

  §   Good networking skills, and the confidence to represent the High Commission in dealing with senior contacts, including within government.

Key Competences:

  §   Working with others (shows consideration for others’ needs and motivations, values diversity and works effectively and supportively with colleagues and contacts in the immediate and wider teams).

  §   Communicating (conveys information accurately and concisely. Expresses own views and contribute to team debate).

  §   Clear customer focus (understands and focuses on customer needs).

  §   Delivers results (consistently drives for high quality performance for self.  Handles a variety of tasks, making progress on all fronts.  Takes responsibility, recognising that others depend on them).

Application:

The British High Commission does not appoint any agents to process job applications or arrange interviews and expects no fees to be paid to anyone.

Applicants must have the right to live and work in Kenya.

Applications – (CV plus covering letter) - clearly marked – “LE II PROSPERITY OFFICER” Vacancy should be forwarded to the following address:

Human Resources Manager

British High Commission

Upper Hill Road

PO Box 30465 – 00100

Nairobi

Or by e-mail to: HR.Recruit@fco.gov.uk    

Applications should be received on or before 25^th January 2013.  Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for interview.

The British High Commission is an equal opportunity employer.  Applications are welcomed from all suitably qualified individuals irrespective of race, gender or disability. All applications will be treated on merit basis through fair and open competition.