Economic development officer – British Embassy

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.

Job Category  

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory  

Prosperity and Economic Growth

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Application deadline:	10 September 2022
Grade:	Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position:	Fixed Term, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
Working hours per week	38.5 hours
Region	Africa
Country/Territory	Sudan
Location (City)	Khartoum
Type of Post	British Embassy
Number of vacancies	1
Salary	USD 3,301.38 (gross monthly) plus + USD 72 transport allowance
Start Date	1 October 2022

Main purpose of job:

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the UK’s understanding of and contribution to Sudan’s private sector resilience and pro-poor growth.

The context we are responding to is complex, challenging and volatile and calls for politically informed, opportunistic and innovative approaches to help strengthen local market systems and to enable investment, local value addition, export promotion and shared prosperity.

Against this background the embassy is looking for an experienced, agile and resourceful economic development expert to monitor and analyse market developments and the business environment with a view to shaping the embassy’s private sector development objectives, while contributing to programming and setting up tools and mechanisms for the realisation of investment and trade gains..

The role is embedded in the embassy’s economic reform team which delivers work to support Sudan’s economy and resilience of people and markets.

Roles and responsibilities:

Shape the embassy’s understanding of Sudan’s evolving business environment to inform economic influencing and opportunities for market systems development. This will involve monitoring and analysis of market and business developments and advice on how the embassy should respond diplomatically, through programming or international partnerships. The work will be based on both desk analysis and the development and maintenance of networks with the local private sector to identify challenges and opportunities. (30%)

 Support trade and investment promotion. The job holder will draw on analysis, data and networks to build a clear understanding of trade and investment challenges and opportunities, including between the UK and Sudan. In addition this will require creative thinking and advice on tractable barriers and to seek opportunities and avenues to support critical investment and trade gains. This may involve support with deal origination or matchmaking of companies with existing offers. The job holder will lead on the relationship with the UK Department for International Trade and will advise Sudanese players on UK trade and investment processes and support offers. The job holder will also support and facilitate market access for UK companies. This will involve work to revive a British business network in Sudan. (30%)

Lead the flagship UK Chevening scholarship scheme on behalf of the embassy. This will involve leadership of a) annual advertising campaign, b) cross embassy process to select candidates and to prepare successful candidates for development experiences in the UK c) efforts to contribute to a vibrant alumni community in Sudan (30%).

Provide private sector support across the office on programming, visits and events (10%).

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

No line management responsibilities. The job holder will contribute to ODA programming without PRO or SRO responsibility.Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Undergraduate degree in economics, trade, business or related fields
• At least three years relevant professional work experience
• Private sector experience, or within a private sector-orientated part of Government or International Organisation
• Experience of working in a political and commercial environment with senior stakeholders
• Good project and/or programme management experience, with a track record of delivering complex projects in difficult environments and providing robust monitoring and evaluation
• A positive, resilient, flexible and adaptable “can-do” attitude that can see a way through challenges
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to work with a diverse set of colleagues, partners and stakeholders.
• Solid analysis and drafting skills
• Fluency in Arabic and English

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Understanding of the investment / market access space
• Experience of the following: business development, understanding issues and pursuing strategies together, investment appraisal and advisory, deal brokering

Required behaviours  

Changing and Improving, Working Together

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The successful applicant will have access to a range of Learning and Development opportunities on the job and in house. From time to time there will be requirements to assist other teams within the FCDO, working with other members of the team to build overall experience through delivery of training and awareness sessions.

Working hours:

Sunday – Wednesday 08:00 – 16:00, Thursday 08:00 – 14:30

Additional information  

• This contract is a 2 year fixed term with a possibility of renewal
• Interested candidates must attach (1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and (2) a covering letter stating how you meet the requirements of the role
• Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the required elements in the Success Profile Questions section of the online application form.
• Applications that do not include these information will not be considered.
• Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
• Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
• The British Embassy will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position.
• Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy in Khartoum are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in Sudan.
• All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. 
• The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to; Obtain the relevant permit; Pay the fees for the permit; Make arrangements to relocate; Meet the costs to relocation.
• Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount. 
• Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link:
  • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profilesPlease note:  Job grade AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates
• British Embassy will only contact successful candidates, if you do not hear from us please consider your application unsuccessful.