Main purpose of job:
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) embraces and values diversity in all forms. We welcome and pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has on the work we do, and we promote equality of opportunity throughout the organisation. DBT China would value applications from people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture, experience and gender.
This is an exciting time to join the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) as L&D Manager for DBT China and Hong Kong. Our aim is to promote UK trade and investment across the world which is vital for the prosperity of the UK. DBT brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade and investment in markets across the world to help businesses succeed. This is a great opportunity to be part of an international team that contributes to the success of the UK’s trade goals.
DBT operates in 108 countries. Establishing new relationships around the globe, DBT promotes UK trade to ensure the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us, securing and improving economic well-being, stability, and helping to create tens of thousands of jobs. DBT has one of the largest representations of the 18 government departments working in China, which are coordinated and led by His Majesty’s Ambassador who is responsible for the UK’s relationship with China.
His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) is responsible for Trade and Investment work in China, one of nine global regions. With c.180 staff across six posts – Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing and Wuhan – DBT, as part of the UK government network in China offers a fast-paced place to work at the heart of UK-China Government relations.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:
The Corporate Operations Directorate is responsible for supporting all DBT China teams across our six locations to achieve our objectives and ambitions as stated in the Regional Trade Plan. This is a key role sitting in the operation team, in the DBT China & Hong Kong network of 180 people. You will help support the network to achieve its objectives by ensuring we have a high-quality learning and development offer.
The Corporate Operations directorates includes several cross-cutting responsibilities supporting sector teams to work efficiently and effectively, including Operations (People, Finance, Business Performance, Contract Management), Business Relations and Ministerial Engagement, and Marketing & Communications.
As Learning and Development Manager, you will be working within the Operations strand of the Directorate, directly responsible for the development and promotion of the DBT China Learning and Development Strategy, of which current priorities are Leadership and Management capability building, and a focus on sector knowledge and business development skills.
Reporting directly to the Head of People, this highly visible and delivery focused role will require regular engagement with stakeholders from across the network, including our team in Hong Kong, the DBT Senior Leadership team, the FCO Learning and Development lead and the DBT Skills and Capability team based in London, to help solidify a regional approach to learning and development matters.
Responsible for the day-to-day management of all learning and development activities, this role will require the jobholder to maintain the network Learning and Development budget (circa £100k), identifying activities that deliver both value for money and address wider learning needs. The jobholder will also need to think outside of the box to develop innovative and impactful in-house learning and development solutions.
1. Learning and Development Strategy (30%)
- Lead the creation and development of a DBT China wide (approx.180 people) learning and development strategy, which aligns to Regional Trade Plan ambitions and addresses feedback from the annual People Survey.
- Establish a vision for interactive, engaging and impactful learning and development solutions, setting direction to embed a learning culture across the China Region. Work with the Senior Leadership Team and individual Directorates to ensure a coordinated approach to delivery and to identify skills, knowledge, and capability gaps through the implementation of a Capability Review exercise.
- Work closely with the FCDO L&D Manager to design and deliver a better quality cross-China network learning and development offer.
2. Learning and Development Delivery (30%)
- Deliver a suite of learning and development solutions to meet identified learning needs.
- Lead on the design, delivery and development of formal programmes and campaigns, including the provision of team and individual learning solutions across the DBT China Region.
- Work with external suppliers, both within Mainland China and in the UK where necessary, to provide bespoke training courses.
- Lead the sharing of best practice and internal expertise across teams and Posts.
- Organise and deliver regular induction events and the delivery of generic courses.
- Ensure effective evaluation and reporting of all L&D activity across the China Region, feeding into wider People initiatives.
3. People and Operational Support (10%)
- Work together with Head of People to manage the DBT reward scheme and people action plan, receive and respond to feedback in a timely manner.
- Ensure effective evaluation and reporting of all L&D activity across the China Region, feeding into wider People initiatives.
- Work closely within the operation team to support feeding in the annual People Survey and achieving our objectives and ambitions as stated in the Regional Trade Plan.
4. Stakeholder Management and Communication (10%)
- Raise the visibility and staff understanding of DBT China Region L&D offer.
- Provide clear information and timely communications for all initiatives and activities.
- Engage a wide range of stakeholders at all levels of the organisation, lead L&D discussions as part of internal working groups and committees, and report to the Senior Leadership team on a regular basis.
- Lead an L&D cadre, provide full support to the L&D champions to deliver L&D at pots.
5. Financial Management (10%)
- Ensure effective management of the centralised L&D budget, ensuring all spends aligns with identified priorities and supports the delivery of the L&D strategy and wider Regional Trade Plan.
- Establish clear and transparent budget principles and processes to ensure fair spend across the network, ensuring value for money, and strategic, effective use of resource.
- Provide accurate spend forecasts and process claims in a timely manner.
6. Corporate Contribution (10%)
- Supply support where necessary in delivery of the wider objectives of the Corporate Operations and DBT China team, including on cross-cutting issues.
- Promote and contribute to the China Country Business Plan and network values, actively and constructively participating in Post activities.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
- Financial Management of L&D Budget circa £100k.
- Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
- Excellent networking skills
- Strong organisational skills and ability to demonstrate ownership in terms of delivering key L&D initiatives.
- Broad understanding of learning and development concepts and processes.
- Good IT Skills, including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Proven experience in areas of learning and development
- CIPD qualification (or equivalent) in learning and development
Note:
- The British Embassy Beijing currently cannot accept external candidates so applicants based in Beijing should be ready to relocate to other China posts (Guangzhou, Shanghai, Wuhan, or Chongqing).
Benefits:
We offer a competitive package which includes –
- For Beijing and Guangzhou: A gross monthly salary of CNY 19,955 for Chinese Nationals and an abated salary of CNY 27,633 for British Nationals and spouses/partners of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria;
- For Chongqing and Wuhan: A gross monthly salary of CNY 17,982 for Chinese Nationals and an abated salary of CNY 24,894 for British Nationals and spouses/partners of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria;
- Commercial insurance package including accidental, life, medical and business travel insurance
- 22 days annual leave entitlement in pro-rata which increases by 0.5 per full calendar year worked up to maximum of 25 days. We offer different types of compulsory leave in accordance to Chinese law, e.g. Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Marriage Leave, Parental leave, etc.
- In addition to the above compulsory leave, we also offer other types of leaves with pay e.g. Study Leave, Volunteering Leave to support staff who undertakes volunteering activities, Special Paid Leave to deal with emergencies involving a close family member, and more.
- Employee Assistance Programme which is a confidential service providing help, support and information to staff to resolve and manage situations causing concern whether at work or personal nature is available to staff 24/7;
- There is also plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job, and establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their professional skills. The Mission encourages a blended learning culture based on the 70/20/10 model which includes e-learning, mentoring, coaching, other development activities and role-specific required trainings. This offer also includes supporting staff members to take part in a 5 days of learning activities each year.
Learning and Development Opportunities:
No matter what stage of your career you’re at, you’ll have a positive impact and play a key role. We strongly believe in investing in our people – from day one, you’ll be assigned a dedicated buddy, have guidance from your line manager and support within the wider organisation. You’ll have the opportunity to develop on and off the job, and to establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop themselves.
In addition, opportunities and activities include:
- Attending external events and conferences hosted by academic institutions, business chambers, etc.
- Learning and Development programmes, which have recently included leadership, line management, interpretation, presentation skills, effective remote working and trade policy.
- Opportunities for job shadowing across the network.
- An individual bid fund providing funding to support more tailored learning and development needs.
Working Patterns:
35 hours of work per week from Monday to Friday, 08:30-17:30. There may be occasions that may require you to work outside normal hours.
Other Information:
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy/Consulate General are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. 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. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.
Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline.”
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
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. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core behaviours listed above.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
