Country Director- Department for Business and Trade

1 semana atrás


Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal British Government Tempo inteiro
View Vacancy - Country Director- Department for Business and Trade (PRT24.232)

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 Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)

Job Subcategory Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

British Embassy in Lisbon is part of a worldwide network representing British political, economic, security and consular interests overseas.

Together with Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Europe, we are looking for a Country Director to lead the DBT team in Portugal.

This role leads the Department for Business and Trade's Portuguese team , which is located within the British Embassy Lisbon.


Who we are:
DBT promotes UK economic growth by supporting British business and trade in UK and around the world.

DBT Europe (in which DBT Portugal belongs) is one of 9 DBT overseas regional teams and has responsibility for this activity in countries across the European continent.

It is led by His Majesty's Trade Commissioner (HMTC) for Europe.

DBT Europe teams are located within the relevant British Embassy, and DBT priorities make up an important element of overall embassy goals.


What the role is about:
The main purpose of the job is to encourage a thriving UK/Portugal trade and investment relationship .

The key delivery goals are to reduce barriers to UK/Portuguese tra de, to help British companies export to Portugal, to attract Portuguese investment into the UK, and to work with Portuguese decision-makers in support of open trade & economic security.

The jobholder will be responsible for leading the DBT Portugal team , setting priorities, ensuring delivery, collaborating with DBT colleagues and engaging persuasively with external government and business stakeholders.


As a senior member of BE Lisbon the jobholder will also be responsible for playing an active role in the leadership of the Embassy , contributing to wider embassy objectives and exploiting synergies with DBT goals.

In particular they will work with Economics and Science & Innovation and Climate and Energy colleagues, and report directly to His Majesty's Ambassador to Portugal.


The Country Director will enjoy significant autonomy to set the direction and priorities of the DBT Portugal team , tailoring the broader DBT Europe Regional Trade Plan and its objectives to the specifics of the Portuguese market.

They will be part of the wider DBT Europe Country Director cadre, regularly engaging with HM Trade Commissioner for Europe, with specialist oversight and support provided by DBT's Regional Director and DBT Europe's COO.

The UK/Portugal trade and wider relationship is a priority for both countries.

The work attracts strong interest from UK senior officials , Trade Representatives and Government Ministers, who will visit from time to time to advance the agenda.

This a challenging, varied and high-profile role and presents an exciting opportunity for a motivated and commercially focussed professional with excellent management and leadership skills.

It is also an ideal role to develop and deploy skills in working internationally and delivering real world results with impact.


Core responsibilities include:

  • Leadership and strategic vision
  • Lead the design and implementation of the Portugal Country Trade Plan, which is an integral part of the broader DBT-Europe Regional Trade Plan, and the commercial elements of the Embassywide Portugal Country Business Plan;
  • Provide clear strategic direction to DBT Portugal, motivating, supporting and coaching a diverse and experienced set of team members to ensure delivery across the pillars of the Portugal Country Trade Plan, managing the structures and resourcing to underpin this;
  • Act as a role model for other DBT Europe Country Directors, contributing proactively and constructively to regional initiatives and agendasetting, taking the role of being a critical friend to Europe's senior leadership where appropriate.
  • Promote and increase UK-Portugal trade and investment, and shape the international trading system in the UK's interest
  • Enhance market access for UK companies in Portugal (practical assistance for UK exporters to navigate trade rules; prioritise plans and progress for resolving individual market access barriers);
  • Identify and deliver opportunities for British exports to Portugal and support UK firms to export through marketing promotion activities, proactive account management, enhanced sectoral focus, UKEF available tools, and the Export Support Service;
  • Attract and retain inward investment to the UK from Portugal (increase share of highvalue projects, low carbon, capital investment, R&D and levellingup, and active strategic relationship management (SRM) of critical accounts);
  • Champion free and fairtrading systems with Portugal (building constructive relations with Portuguese government trade policy teams; providing insightful intelligence on trading systems issues; advocating UK positions convincingly) and defend the UK's interests and economic security;
  • Provide analysis and insight into the Portuguese economy and commercial opportunities to HMG customers.
  • Cultivate relationships with key external stakeholders
  • Develop a broad and deep range of influential and highlevel contacts among Portuguese and UK companies as well as delivery partners, government and wider stakeholders, with credibility at Board level;
  • Act as a key outwardfacing representative of the Embassy, DBT Portugal and the UK Government with strategic business partners in both Portugal and the UK, including at highprofile events and other external engagements.
  • Corporate leadership role and wider HM Government collaboration
  • Establish trusted relationships with DBT HQ in London, DBT Europe, including the HM Trade Commissioner, and with colleagues at the British Embassy in Lisbon.
  • Lead timely and pertinent analysis and provide advice and support to DBT and wider HMG Ministers and officials on UK-Portugal trade issues, ministerial visits, and performance.
  • Engage proactively with relevant teams within the British Embassy in Lisbon and DBT to identify shared objectives and work collaboratively to achieve them.
  • Play a senior leadership role within the British Embassy Lisbon, including as a member of the Board of Management and Senior Leadership Team, promoting a supportive, collaborative "one team" culture.
  • Lead on discrete projects or horizontal objectives across DBT Portugal and DBT Europe, as required.
The job description is subject to changes and may evolve over time and in response to changing circumstances.

The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Our ideal candidate demonstrates:

  • Excellent interpersonal, team working and people management skills. The successful candidate will be a credible team leader capable of setting the direction for your team and of gaining their trust and respect, with strong change management experience.
  • Strategic relationship management experience, building and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies to achieve objectives; Need to show a solid track record of dealing with senior level decisionmakers('Clevel' executives).
  • Policy skills and the ability to quickly develop a strong strategic level grip of market access work. The successful candidate will be proactive and capable of absorbing a wide range of information from different sources, and using that to inform and shape their thinking.
  • Highly organised, flexible, able to work at pace; and a proven record in ability to juggle multiple priorities.
  • Tried and tested project management skills. The successful candidate will have a proven record to take deprioritisation decisions to retain focus on highest impact.
  • A positive attitude and problemsolving skills.
  • Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a senior commercial or policy role.
  • Full professional proficiency in English and Portuguese, including excellent writing skills (C1 Level).
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

It will be a plus:

  • Commercial Knowledge, particularly of the Portuguese and UK markets and a strong network of business contacts.
  • Bachelor degree or equivalent relevant professional qualification.
  • Experience promoting trade and investment in a Government or similar context.
  • An understanding of economics and/or trade policy and the role government plays in international trade.
  • Experience of public speaking and an ability to demonstrate credibility and expertise on complex issues.
Required behaviours Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together

Grade Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

Type of Position Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week 35

Region Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory Portugal

Location (City) Lisbon

Type of Post British Embassy

Number of vacancies 1

Salary Currency EUR

57,519.11 yearly gross

Start Date 2 September 2024

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time, permanent contract subject to a 180 days probation period.


The British Embassy in Lisbon aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role of €57,519.11 gross annual salary paid in fourteen instalments; plus a monthly meal allowance of € This salary is payable if the successful candidate is subject to individual income tax (IRS) in Portugal on the employment income in question.

If the successful candidate is not subject to individual income tax (IRS) on their employment income in Portugal, and/or is not taxable elsewhere on such income, s/he will receive the above salary minus a reference amount approximate to the level of Portuguese tax that would be applicable if the income were subject to tax locally.

Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.


All staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Portugal are subject to local Portuguese employment law as well as internal regulations in force at any given time.


The successful candidate will be subject to a professional background and security clearance and must have pre-existing work authorisation for Portugal in order to apply.

All applicants should have the right to live and work in Portugal. The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.


The Embassy will not consider applications from existing staff who have not successfully completed their probation period or, in the case of staff on temporary contract who have not yet completed two thirds of their contract.


Visa / Passport requirements:

Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Portugal and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.


Working Pattern:
This is a full-time position based the British Embassy in Lisbon. There is the opportunity for some home-working in addition to times away from the office on business travel.

Learning and Development opportunities:

Role specific training discussed and agreed annually, in line with the successful candidate's experience and skills and the organisational needs.

Additional information

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field "Application deadline".


We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.


Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.


Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.


  • Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.


Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official site (operated by Oleeo).

Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official site.

If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.


Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official site (operated by Oleeo).

Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official site.

If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

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