A2(L) Trade Adviser, Creative and Consumer Industries Team UK Trade & Investment Japan This is an exciting opportunity for a professional with a consumer-focused industries background to work at the heart of the British Embassy in Tokyo to promote UK exports to Japan. The purpose of the British Embassy (BE) in Tokyo/British Consulate General (BCG) in Osaka is to promote the British Government’s prosperity, security and consular interests in Japan. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Japan is central to the first of these objectives: we support UK companies with practical and tailored advice on how to reach the opportunities in Japan; and we build strong relationships with potential Japanese Investors in order to persuade them that the UK is the destination of choice when investing overseas. Creative and consumer industries are one of the most important areas for UK exports to Japan. The purpose of the job is: To contribute to the promotion of UK exports in the creative & consumer industries sector by providing market intelligence to UK companies, identifying contacts who would be interested in working with UK companies and providing support to activities/events in support of UK businesses in these sectors. Main Duties     Provide research for UK businesses to help them understand the Japanese market. With the Senior Trade Adviser, develop a network of contacts who would be useful in delivering our strategies in Japan and in helping UK companies develop business in Japan. Provide support in running events. Input data in UKTI’s customer database to record our interventions for UK companies. Requirements Essential Experience: The successful candidate will have at least 3 years experience in a business focused environment. Familiarity in working with both Japanese and Western businesses is essential in order to win credibility and have productive engagement with them. Desirable Experience: Experience in working in the consumer-focused industries would be desirable. Digital marketing experience would be a plus. Essential Skills: Language: Native level Japanese (JLTP Level N1) and fluent business English (IELTS band 8.5 or above/TOEIC 850+ points). Other: Good communication (oral and written) skills in English and in Japanese, research skills (desk and through contacts), IT skills (Microsoft office: Word, Excel and PowerPoint) The candidate will be expected to meet the following competences, which will be tested at interview:  Seeing the big picture: Having a strong sense of awareness as to how a specific task fits into the overall picture, thereby prompting innovation, creativity and autonomy, instead of delivering a task in a mechanical way. Strong curiosity in changes affecting the Japanese market in order to identify business opportunities.  Making effective decisions: A good sense of what information is required to make decisions and an ability to come up with and weigh options. Knows when issues need to be raised upwards but attempts to find his/her own solution before doing so.  Leading and Communicating: Ability to communicate in a logical and clear manner and to develop good rapport with contacts.  Achieving commercial outcomes: Enthusiasm to deliver the best for customers.  Managing a quality service: Strong sense of professionalism. Effective planning and management of work in order to deliver a high quality service.  Changing and Improving: Enthusiasm to learn new challenges and adaptable and ready to embrace change and innovation. Other Requirements: There will be some evening commitments, eg events and telephone calls with UK companies. The latter could be delivered flexibly through Skype or other mobile work or home infrastructure. Our Values As part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) the Embassy/Consulate-General aims for excellence by:  Taking responsibility  Encouraging innovation  Working together Our values support a vibrant culture where all staff takes on stretching responsibilities, where ideas thrive and the status quo can be fearlessly challenged. We work together effectively with all our partners to make a greater difference for the UK Benefit package includes:  Working hours: Monday to Friday, generally 0900-1730 with flexible working opportunities and occasional out of hours working required  This job is being offered on a 1 year contract, subject to annual review  Salary of JPY 323,000 per month with 1-month bonus equivalents payable in June and December (pro rata) (Note: Subject to tax status, this amount may be reduced.)  Commuting allowance of up to JPY35,000 per month (paid on an actual cost basis)  24 days paid annual leave (pro rata)  Health Insurance and Employee pension (kenko hoken/kosei nenkin)  Employment Insurance (koyou hoken)  Excellent training and development opportunities  Work-related travel in Japan and occasionally within the region and to the UK  Interviews will be held in the second half of December and will include a test of language skills  Start date: January 2015 To Apply Please email your updated CV together with the completed application form, which can be downloaded from our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassytokyo/about/recruitment, by 5 December 2014 to [email protected]. Please clearly mark the position title and your name in the subject title of your email. Please send your attachments using the following formats only .doc, .docx, pdf. No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. The applicant must have work authorisation for Japan however if a foreign national, the British Embassy/Consulate General will support a visa application if required. Please note that incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The British Embassy/Consulate General is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy/Consulate General in Tokyo are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.