Senior Trade Advisor – Food & Drinks, Grade HEO, Mumbai

About the role

The UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, through the British High Commission network in India, is recruiting a Senior Trade Advisor (Food & Drinks) at the British Deputy High Commission Mumbai. The role supports UK Food & Drink companies in identifying, developing and securing commercial opportunities in India, with a focus on opportunities created by the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. It is a full-time, permanent post at Higher Executive Officer (HEO) grade.

Key responsibilities

• Build a pipeline of commercial opportunities for UK Food & Drink companies and help them understand the Indian market, identify partners and progress deals.
• Promote the benefits of the UK-India FTA and gather feedback on its impact on UK companies.
• Deliver trade promotion and events such as trade missions, buyer-seller engagements, webinars, roundtables and retail promotions, and support ministerial, senior official and VIP visits.
• Identify market-access barriers and work with colleagues to address them, and monitor regulatory and market developments.
• Support the Senior Sector Manager with sector strategy, market intelligence, stakeholder engagement and reporting.
• Support major diplomatic events and cross-cutting diplomatic mission activities, and represent the Deputy High Commission externally.

Required profile

• Graduate or postgraduate degree, or equivalent professional qualification; candidates without it but with substantial relevant experience will also be considered.
• At least 5 years of commercial, business, trade or government experience.
• Strong understanding of the Indian business environment and experience working with companies, industry bodies and/or government stakeholders.
• English at proficient level; Hindi and Marathi desirable.
• OCI cardholders must obtain a special work permit from the Government of India; the BHC cannot sponsor work visas.

Required skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with project and stakeholder management abilities.
• Desirable: knowledge of the UK-India FTA, experience supporting exports or international business development, and established networks in Indian business.

What we offer

• Salary of INR 1,30,186 per month plus 12% provident fund and 6% superannuation.
• Annual domiciliary medical cover and a group hospitalisation scheme for family members.
• Induction and ongoing training, including sector knowledge, trade and export development and FTA awareness.
• Five-day working week, annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave, special leave and paid sick leave.
• Performance-linked increments and staff bonuses.
• No relocation or travel costs provided.