The British Embassy in Cairo is seeking to hire a Head of Export Finance.Starting monthly salary (USD): Gross salary is USD 3,338.75
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Job Category
Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
Job Subcategory
Department for International Trade (DIT)
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
The Department of International Trade at the British Embassy in Cairo is seeking a Head of Export Finance Manager grade D6 (L).
UK trade with and investment into Africa is growing, and the UK Government is committed to increasing those trajectories still further. At the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London on 20 January 2020 we undertook to become the investment partner of choice for Africa and similarly to boost our trade. The opportunity is there; eight of the world’s 15 fastest growing economies are in Africa. We want modern partnerships that deliver mutual benefit by supporting African-led ambitions with British expertise.
To match this ambition the UK Government is adding to its resource base in Africa including increasing the number of UK Export Finance roles. Finance is a critical part of the picture of promoting more business. UK Export Finance has already shown how effective it can be in helping Africa deliver on its plans, and in so doing opening opportunities for UK companies. This role provides an opportunity to further that, helping to shape the new, long-term UK partnership for prosperity and stability with Africa.
About the Department for International Trade
You will join the Department for International Trade’s Africa network. Active in 23 markets across Africa DIT promotes exports to the continent of British goods and services, two way investment between the UK and Africa, and mutual improved market access to help grow our bilateral trade. This role will focus particularly on the first of these supporting developers and enabling access for UK exporters.
About UK Export Finance
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is the UK’s export credit agency (ECA) and operates in partnership with the Department for International Trade (DIT).
UKEF’s mission is to ensure that no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, while operating at no net cost to the taxpayer. In 2018/19, UKEF provided £6.8 billion of support to help 181 exporters sell to 72 countries. Over £600m in support was for projects in Africa to boost trade links between the UK and African countries
UKEF helps UK companies:
Win export contracts by providing attractive financing terms to their buyers
Fulfil contracts by supporting working capital loans and guaranteeing performance bonds
Get paid by insuring against buyer default
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
The jobholder will be the sole UKEF representative in Egypt and key part of a small UKEF team covering the whole of Africa. The jobholder will have responsibility for the Egyptian market, and will also be expected to assume responsibility for selected regional markets of the continent to be agreed.
The jobholder will be responsible for developing strategic relationships and partnerships with businesses, government, and other key stakeholders in order to promote export growth. The jobholder will support UKEF and the Department for International Trade (DIT) in providing specialist market advice to potential exporters.
The jobholder will collaborate with the DIT and UKEF management teams to deliver the aims of the Origination/ Business Development team, UKEF, and DIT as a whole. The jobholder will act as the eyes and ears of UKEF supporting the objectives of the Origination team to grow UKEF supported export wins by focussing on five (5) key areas of activity:
1. Build awareness of UKEF support capabilities
Lead local campaigns to raise the profile of UKEF internationally through engagement with the business community, government bodies, and other stakeholder organisations.
Deliver UKEF marketing plans, ensuring that messages are appropriate to the audience. Remove complexity and build understanding. Develop a localised message where possible.
Develop and implement PR activities that educate the local/ regional business community on UKEF products.
Develop UKEF knowledge base within the local DIT team.
2. Build and share market knowledge
Develop detailed knowledge and insight of public and private sector organisations, including their strategic business planning and development objectives. Implement findings into UKEF strategic plans.
Understand and interpret host government trade policy, priority sectors, and projects.
Ensure timely export intelligence and insight for Origination, enabling opportunities for UKEF.
Act as the lead source of UKEF advice to local DIT teams, including integration of UKEF objectives in priority campaigns (current campaigns include Energy, Infrastructure, Defence, Education, Healthcare, Financial and Professional Services).
Take the lead in leveraging expertise, knowledge, and networks of local staff, business chambers, and other local channels in their capacity as multipliers.
Identify the competitive framework (Export Credit Agencies and Supply Chain), articulate the difference of the UKEF offer. Seek collaboration where appropriate.
Exploit local knowledge, experience, and networks to gather intelligence of local commercial banking sectorial focus and appetite for risk.
3. Establish and maintain stakeholder relationships - UKEF primary stakeholders are buyers, UK exporters, project sponsors, host government departments, etc. This role will be required to:
Identify key buyers and sponsors in the target markets.
Exploit knowledge and experience to build robust business networks and develop calling plans to enhance the profile of UKEF.
Oversee the development of mechanisms to record and coordinate business outreach activities.
Maintain and develop regular contacts with local senior sponsors, banks, public sector organisations, government bodies, and UK businesses to identify export opportunities that could benefit from UKEF support.
Build and maintain relationships with other countries’ export finance bodies to learn lessons.
4. Create and deliver strategic plans
Support DIT Managers in country strategic planning aligned to UKEF organisational objectives, supporting export campaigns where ‘leading with finance’ could be an important driver.
Embed UKEF offer into DIT export campaign plans.
5. Progress business development opportunities
Lead the local coordination of UKEF local campaign activities.
Engage the UK Export Finance Manager (EFM) Network to ensure seamless coordination between the UK supply chain and local sponsor.
Lead UKEF local relationships with providers of trade finance and risk mitigation products (e.g., banks, credit insurers, brokers, and others) and to introduce customers/ sponsors who require their services.
Lead UKEF collaboration with the local DIT team to develop innovative export solutions for UK companies.
Coordinate and support visits from UKEF management.
This list is not exhaustive; the International Export Finance Executive may be required to carry out additional duties according to business needs.
Key Competencies:
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.
Making Effective Decisions – Effectiveness in this area is about being objective; using sound judgment, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice.
Leading and Communicating - 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.
Collaborating and Partnering - People skilled in this area are team players who 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.
Achieving Commercial Outcomes – Being effective in this area is about maintaining an economic, long-term focus in all activities. It’s about having a commercial, financial and sustainable mind-set to ensure all activities and services are delivering added value and working to stimulate economic growth.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
This role would suit a self-starter who has experience of working in a financial services background and/ or in credit finance. Trade background in a similar or business development role and knowledge of Export Credit Agency instruments and experience of trade finance are essential.
Understanding of local capital markets and experience of navigating emerging/ growth markets with the ability to support complex financial service projects are also required for this role.
Degree and/or equivalent professional financial or accounting qualification.
At least eight years professional experience.
Current and relevant commercial management skills and well versed in contracting and finance oversight.
Proven ability to take the initiative pursuing the objectives in the job description.
Proven competence in leading strategy development and business planning
Proven advisory and negotiation skills at senior levels –able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
Management experience of autonomous operations in a sector servicing exporters in financial and credit risk products; or in a relevant role in an exporting business.
Competent in Microsoft Office applications.
Confident public speaking and networking skills.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
Experience of project delivery in the African context.
Arabic Language skills.
Client facing experience, for example with a professional services business. (managing businesses, understanding issues and pursuing strategies together).
Knowledge of UKEF’s credit risk policy and business environment.
Required competencies
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Achieving Commercial Outcomes
Application deadline
4 August 2020
Grade
D6 (L)
Type of Position
Fixed Term, Full-time
Working hours per week
36
Duration of Post
12 months
Region
Middle East & North Africa
Country/Territory
Egypt
Location (City)
Cairo
Type of Post
British Embassy
Number of vacancies
1
Starting monthly salary (USD)
Gross salary is USD 3,338.75
Start Date
1 October 2020
Other benefits and conditions of employment
Remuneration:
The position is D6 (L) and the gross salary is USD 3,338.75 per month subject to insurance and tax as per the usual regulations based on a 36 hours per week. We offer a competitive package including medical benefits, performance related bonus, recreational facilities, opportunities for job related training & development, etc. This is for a full time employment, on a fixed term basis for one-year with a view for extension.
No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
The successful applicant will have access to a range of Learning and Development opportunities with in-house and e learning, with the potential for overseas training. From time to time, there will be requirements to assist other teams within the Department, working with other members of the team to build overall experience through delivery of training and awareness session.
A training programme will be provided with UK Export Finance in London.
Additional information
Eligibility:
Applicants must have the right to live and work in Egypt.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates must attach the following documents in English when applying online:
An updated Curriculum Vitae
A completely filled out online application form. Kindly ensure that concrete examples of each competences are provided on the application summary section of the form.
A covering letter stating why you feel you have the necessary skills and competences to apply for the role.
The closing date for applications is 23:55 (Local Time) 04 August 2020.
For more information or to apply please follow this link: https://bit.ly/31arIQa
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