Company Profile

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. 

Job Description

• Office Notice No – 17/15 ACC
• Position: Deputy Head Of UK Trade & Investment
• Section: UK Trade &Investment- Accra
• Grade: C4
• Position Type: 1 Year Renewable Contract
• Salary: 4,208 GHS

The British High Commission (BHC) Accra has a vacancy for a C4 (L) Deputy Head of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in the UK Trade & Investment section.

UK Trade & Investment is the Government organisation that helps UK based companies succeed in international markets, and overseas companies to bring high quality investment to the UK's vibrant economy.  It has two parent government departments, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS).

UKTI Ghana is a busy team which offers a diverse, lively and challenging range of experience and opportunities to the successful applicant.  This is an exciting opportunity for candidates with the right experience and competences, to be part of an award-winning international trade organisation. The job will involve overseas and internal travel. 

The main elements of the job include:

• Direct support to the Head of UKTI Ghana
• Lead responsibility for the Oil & Gas and Power sectors in Ghana
• Co-ordination of UKTI Network in West Africa
• Account management for UK companies with business interests the above sectors in Ghana
• Identification of commercial opportunities, monitoring sector developments for UK companies,  and development of sector strategy  to increase UK exports and investment to Ghana and deliver UKTI targets
• Identification of projects for UKTI’s ‘High Value Opportunities’ (HVO) programme in consultation with UKTI colleagues in West Africa.
• Support to UK companies looking to export to Ghana, through UKTI’s chargeable services (Overseas Market Introduction Service – OMIS), helping them to take informed decisions about their export and market strategies
• Maintain an effective network of contacts across Ghanaian government ministries, trade organisations and the private sector.
• Work with colleagues across the regional network in West Africa and UKTI head office in London to maximise opportunities for UK companies, increase the impact of trade missions and other visits from and to the UK
• Prepare briefings, conduct research, media work
• Act as Deputy Head of UKTI and support the Head of UKTI with the implementation of UKTI strategy, Joint Africa Framework and the regional West Africa network.
• Staff management.
• Organise trade missions, events and VIP visits to Ghana
• Support the UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce project.

Required Skills or Experience

The skills/attributes of the successful applicant should include:

• A university degree or equivalent
• Previous experience in a managerial position.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong customer focus and a track record of leading teams.
• Proven track record of delivering strategy and targets
• A thorough understanding of the Ghanaian private and public sectors and economy in general
• An understanding of international trade issues
• Public speaking skills
• Strong IT skills using Microsoft software, (word, excel and PowerPoint).

Key competences required:

The British High Commission staff work according to the UK Civil Service Competency Framework relevant to each job.  The competences required for this job are:

Seeing the Big Picture: 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

 Collaborating and Partnering: People skilled in this area 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

Managing a Quality Service:  Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements

Delivering at Pace: Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes

Making Effective Decisions: Effectiveness in this area is about being objective; using sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and professional advice

Achieving Commercial Outcomes: Effectiveness in this area is about finding alternative ways of working with partners and contractors to identify more efficient outcomes, balancing cost, quality and turnaround times

Building Capability for All: Effectiveness in this area is having a strong focus on continuous learning for oneself, others and the organisation. For all staff, it’s being open to learning, about keeping one’s own knowledge and skill set current and evolving.

Leading and Communicating: At all levels, 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.

The successful applicant will need to observe the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s diversity and equality policies, show some flexibility over working hours, as there may on occasion be the requirement to work outside of office hours and to travel on official business if necessary.

Information for applicants

The appointment will be offered on an initial 1 year contract and subject to the satisfactory completion of a probationary period. Thereafter, the appointment will be renewed for periods of 12 months. Specific training and mentoring for the role will be provided for the successful candidate.

The successful applicant will demonstrate that they meet the requirements under Ghanaian law to work in Ghana, and to pass (or have passed) BHC internal security clearance.