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Trade and Investment Officer, Clean Energy - British Consulate-General Houston

Main purpose of job:
Be a part of the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) mission to drive more trade and investment between North America and the UK. With a mature, high-spending consumer market and an open, liberal economy, world-class talent and a business-friendly regulatory environment, the UK is the leading destination for foreign investment in Europe, the second highest investment destination in the world, and the world’s sixth largest exporter and the second largest services exporter. 

We employ over 150 people across North America, all united by our vision of a future where we champion open and fair global trading that drives growth, creates better jobs and higher wages, and improves living standards in the UK and around the world.  We seek talented team members with a passion and drive to help us promote exports to North America of British goods and services, two-way investment between the UK and North America, and mutual improved market access to help grow our bilateral trade (see www.gov.uk/DBT).   

Based at the British Consulate-General, Houston, the Trade & Investment Officer supports the North America (NA) Sector Director and Senior Trade & Investment Officer for Clean Energy covering both NA and specifically the South-Central region of the United States, which includes the states of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. You will be part of the North America teams with responsibility for Clean Energy, as well as a valued contributor to the regional team based in Houston. You will also work closely with colleagues based around the UK.

 

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Identify and reach out to innovative Clean Energy companies interested in establishing or expanding operations and R&D opportunities in the UK to build pipeline of ambitious foreign direct investment projects.
  • Support in developing US market opportunities for a broad range of UK exporters.
  • Keep pace with market trends, incentives and centres of excellence in North America and the UK to identify commercial opportunities and provide informed advice to clients and stakeholders.
  • Develop knowledge of the Clean Energy markets of the South-Central Region.
  • Support positive relationships with US and UK business leaders, trade associations, and other key partners and buyers.
  • Support initiatives such as trade missions and participation at trade shows to foster economic opportunities for the UK and US.
  • Support high-profile visits, including UK Ministerial and VIP delegations, including by scheduling high-level meetings, organising activities, and preparing briefing materials.
  • Consult with clients to manage and coordinate client events.
  • Support cross-team projects to advance UK prosperity and trade policy goals.
  • Provide operational and administrative support to the US Clean Energy Team, including maintaining client and project database, target and pipeline delivery.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

  • Professional experience/skills in a business, economic development or project management role.
  • Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Excellent stakeholder management and interpersonal skills with a professional and helpful manner.
  • Ability to undertake research, follow market trends to identify new opportunities, and engage existing/potential contacts.
  • Excellent organisational skills and meticulous attention to detail.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • An interest in or understanding of the clean energy industry.
  • Ability to use a variety of online and social media tools.
  • Must be able to attend events outside of office hours and undertake travel within the US and UK up to 5-10% of your time.
  • Must have existing legal status to live and work in the US in your own right, from time of application.

 

As a valued member of our team, we will help you to achieve your goals through continuous professional development.

US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. 

We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

 

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

  • Knowledge of the UK Government and economy.
  • Experience working for a similar organisation.
  • Existing contacts in the industry.
  • Experience organising visits and events.

 

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working. You are required to work from the office at least 3 days a week.  We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.   

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).   

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.  

 

Additional information  

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive; we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.

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.

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.

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.  

 

Job Category  

Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)

Job Subcategory  

Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Required behaviours  

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture

Application deadline  

21 November 2024

Grade  

Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position  

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week  

40

Region  

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

Country/Territory  

United States

Location (City)  

Houston

Type of Post  

British Embassy

Number of vacancies  

1

Annual Salary  

USD $60,813

Start Date  

6 January 2024