Senior Trade Adviser, Germany/DACH Region

The British Embassy and the Consulates-General in Germany are part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is currently looking for a Senior Trade Advisor for Germany and also a Senior Trade Advisor for DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) to be based at our Consulate in Düsseldorf or our Consulate in Munich. DBT is a UK Government department which helps build an appetite for British goods and services globally, promotes and finances international trade and investment, and champions global free trade.

Both of these exciting Senior Trade Adviser roles—whether focused on Germany or the broader DACH region—will be based in either Munich or Düsseldorf, two of Germany's most vibrant commercial hubs. On the application form, candidates will have the opportunity to indicate their preferred location, ensuring flexibility and alignment with personal and professional preferences.

These roles will be part of the International Markets team in Europe, which has a particular focus on supporting Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) export from the UK to Germany. You will not only work closely with colleagues in Germany or DACH Region but also with our International Markets Trade Hub based in Prague. The IM Hub team in Prague is the first point of contact for most UK SMEs looking for export support from DBT in Europe.

Are you passionate about international trade?
Would you like to make an impact in a fast-moving, high-profile international environment?
We are looking for an enterprising team member with commercial experience to join the UK's Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team, based in Düsseldorf or Munich.

To deliver on these goals, you will:

• As Senior Trade Adviser for the International Markets (IM) team within DBT, you will support high-potential British exporters in accessing and winning business in Germany. A core element of the role will be to deliver practical support to UK companies from a range of sectors. This will include researching market and sector information, identifying partners who can provide in-market representation, and identifying new clients.
• You will work closely with the International Markets Europe Trade Hub based in Prague to ensure those exporters with products and services in high demand in Germany are triaged to you as a priority. Equally you will ensure the IM Hub are aware of sectors that are not a priority for the wider trade team in Germany.
• You will manage and prioritize enquiries from UK exporters based on market potential, market representation, clients, and challenges companies face in accessing the market. You will communicate high-value opportunities to UK exporters and proactively identify upcoming changes in legislation, market access barriers, and practices to ensure UK companies are prepared to deal with these.
• You will also seek to expand and strengthen networks of commercial and governmental partners in as well as private sector providers of commercial services. There will be a focus on working collaboratively with colleagues across DBT Germany, including sectoral leads, as well as wider Embassy colleagues specializing in key areas of interest such as customs and business policy.
• The Senior Trade Advisor will act as a key point of contact in DBT Germany on matters related to the triage of export enquiries and the wider DBT Export Support Eco-system. They will provide expert guidance and support to sectoral teams in Germany, helping them determine the best ways to assist exporters through DBT Export Support Service.
• In addition to supporting SME exporters from a wide range of sectors, the Senior Trade Advisor will dedicate approximately 30% of their time to exploring a specific sector in line with the Germany network's strategic priorities. This will be subject to regular review to ensure the chosen sector focus adds value. The support in this sector will extend to both SMEs and larger, more experienced exporters who require bespoke assistance.
• As Senior Trade Advisor for Germany you will be responsible for reporting and evaluating the IM Germany performance and budget forecast to the IM Europe Leadership Team as well as your local Senior Leadership Team. You will ensure that the value add of the IM work in your market is understood by key stakeholders.
• As a Senior Trade Advisor for IM Europe, you will support the wider team in building capability through sharing of case studies and best practice in ways of working. You may also be asked to support projects that are relevant for the IM Europe team in addition to your own market.

DBT's mission in Europe is to improve market access for businesses, champion free and fair trade, and encourage trade and investment between the UK and Europe. This is critical to our economies, supporting millions of jobs, driving economic growth, raising wages, and improving living standards across the globe.

Our ideal candidate has:

• Fluency at C1 level in German and English, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• A university degree in relevant field and/or proven commercial/economic experience
• Strong communication skills and presentation skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well with English and German commercial clients and stakeholders, as well as a large and diverse internal team.
• Knowledge of the German and/or UK business environment. Experience working on Exports and/or experience working in a commercial and international environment – ideally Business to Business and/or Business to Government.
• Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to identify trends and emerging commercial opportunities.
• Proactive and goal-oriented. Self-starter and ability to work well on own initiative. Project management skills and the ability to drive work forward in a structured way.
• Good IT skills, especially Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

Good to have:

• Strong organisational skills and experience leading projects.

These are full time, fixed-term 2 year contracts with the possibility of a permanent contract subject to performance and funding. Salary € 67,080.00 rising to a maximum of approx. €75,351.00 gross per annum after a qualifying period in addition to performance related pay (salary is not negotiable) after successful probationary period and per the T&Cs.

The successful candidates will be subject to professional background check and security clearance. The successful candidates must have pre-existing work authorisation in Germany in order to apply.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local German employment law.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Germany 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.

Learning and development opportunities: The British Government Germany Network has a strong ethos of Learning & Development, including our Learning & Development Week. In addition, there will be many opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching, job shadowing and secondments and dedicated L& D days. This is in addition to the induction programme offered to all staff.

Europe DBT network and the Embassy in Germany and Consulates General in Dusseldorf and Munich are a rewarding and exciting place to work, offering:

• Scope for personal and professional development: Excellent networks and opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching, job shadowing and secondments;
• Strong offer for learning and development, including dedicated L&D days;
• An equal, diverse and engaged workplace;
• Work-life balance.

The successful applicants will be encouraged to be actively involved in the corporate life of the Embassy, contributing to the wider objectives of the British Government's Germany Network and supporting a positive working environment.

Working patterns: Working hours- 37.5 hours per week
This is a fixed-term contract with the possibility of extension subject to performance and funding.
Working pattern will be in line with British Embassy's internal policies. In order to carry out their work, the post-holder may be required to work outside the normal working hours from time to time.
The British Embassy has a flexible working policy.

Equal employment: We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. DBT Europe and the FCDO Germany Network want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.

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