Senior Trade Officer

The jobholder will lead business development into the Swiss & Liechtenstein market as well as identify market access barriers.

Proven technical know-how and commercial delivery skills are required. Confident and competent interaction with senior decision makers in companies will be essential, along with the ability to achieve impact at public events and deliver effective promotional messages on UK strengths.

Roles and Responsibilities :

• Provide competent support and advice to British companies wishing to enter the Swiss market with advanced tech and defence-related products and services;
• Deliver against Department for Business and Trade’s delivery objectives;
• Build strategic relationships with organisations (private and public), that increase British trade by identifying export opportunities and future economic partnerships;
• Lead on the development of effective partnerships and networks with Swiss & Liechtenstein stakeholders such as industry, investors, academia and organisational bodies;
• Collaborate with colleagues from across the UK Government, in particular the Department for Business and Trade, as well as national and regional Swiss and Liechtenstein entities;
• Organise key events and activities which support British trade work in Switzerland & Liechtenstein including webinars, roadshows, trade missions and Ministerial visits;
• Analyse and report sector related as well as economic developments in Switzerland & Liechtenstein.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience :

• Fluent written and spoken English as well as German (minimum level required C1 under the CEFRL* or equivalent);
• Knowledge and understanding of Swiss business (particularly in defence, security or tech sectors);
• Experienced networker with the ability to establish relationships in Switzerland & Liechtenstein;
• Fast learning, self-starter who can demonstrate initiative, resilience, and project management skills;
• Good communicator, written and verbal;
• A team player with a collaborative approach who can work successfully within a geography and virtual team’ to achieve common objectives.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience :

• Enterprising business track record;
• An understanding of trade policy / market access barriers / trade related regulation;
• Experience of working in an international trade promotion environment;
• Analytical skills acquired in an international market context with a consultative sales approach to achieving results.

Start Date : 1 June 2024

Other benefits and conditions of employment :

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, permanent position. Probationary period of 3 month, during which either party may bring the agreement to an end, in writing with 2-month’ notice.

The final appointment and commencement will be dependent upon successful security clearance and subject to a professional background check.

Please note that the successful candidate will need to arrange and pay for their own travel and accommodation, as well as any other living costs and are subject to Swiss taxes.

FCDO is committed to continual learning and development throughout the year both directly at the Embassy and virtually through the FCDO International Academy.

There will be opportunities to attend training, lectures etc. on the job.