Senior Trade Advisor

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require. Job Category Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT) Job Subcategory Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities) Main purpose of job: Based in the British High Commission in New Delhi or the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai, these roles are an exciting opportunity to work with business and government in an international setting, within an India-wide Technology, Education & Skills team at the UK Department for Business & Trade (DBT). DBT promotes UK trade and investment globally, which is crucial for the UK's prosperity. Our team is dedicated to helping UK exporters and significantly increase trade with India. This is a opportune time to join the team, following the signature of the UK-India Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) earlier this year. We promote UK trade through strategic export campaigns, addressing market access barriers, and assisting UK companies in converting opportunities into export deals and partnerships. The incumbent will be expected to focus specifically on developing a pipeline of UK export projects and wider market development in sub-sectors such as AI, quantum, semiconductors, edtech and skills. As part of our efforts, you will also tackle market access issues, such as non-tariff barriers, by lobbying or advocating with relevant government departments. As a Senior Trade Advisor, you will be responsible for leading and effectively delivering events, strategies and activities based in the Western (Mumbai) or Northern (New Delhi) regions of India for the team. You will also be responsible for establishing and maintaining relations with companies, trade associations, and multipliers. The job entails working closely with and supporting your colleagues in the wider team and wider network. You will bring with you, or demonstrate how you would quickly acquire, an high level understanding of the technology, education, and skills sectors, ideally both in the UK and India. You will support a strategy based on this knowledge to turn the long-term potential of the sector into a pipeline of opportunities for UK business. To do so, you will identify and build relationships within the sector and build a pipeline of validated projects for UK business, particularly large or high-value deals which would require UK government support or involvement to win. You will then work with the DBT team in the UK and in other markets to bring UK companies to India and support them to win business, delivering towards the UK government’s commercial targets and wider trade objectives. Your role will be high profile and with responsibility. You will be a voice for the UK government and industry in the sector; you will be expected to gain access to the most senior levels within Indian industry and government if necessary using His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner, Deputy High Commissioners and other senior staff throughout India. You will be a self-starter who can demonstrate a long-term objective; plan and manage a delivery model; identify, grow and make effective use of stakeholders. You will work with colleagues within DBT in India and elsewhere, with other UK government colleagues, Indian government(s), business and other multipliers (e.g. trade associations) We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business. Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve: Market development and business opportunities (60%) Create, validate, plan and deliver a strategy for enhancing the bilateral trading relationship within the technology, education & skills sectors. Identify, validate and deliver a pipeline of high value projects and opportunities; plan and deliver activities to connect UK business to these opportunities and provide bespoke support to UK companies to win business. In doing so, meet DBT’s internal targets (trade policy, strategic relationship management business wins, return on investment and customer satisfaction/quality). Within the team, build and manage senior level relationships with companies, government departments, trade associations and multipliers in the UK and Western or Northern India. Research and Identify high-value export opportunities for the UK companies, support UK companies to get access to these opportunities and win significant contracts in India. Assist UK companies to increase exports to and invest in India, find new partners and safeguard investments; and identify new opportunities in areas such as asset management, Support overseas direct investments from UK companies in India; Work in close coordination with various stakeholders such as the wider DBT and UK network in India, DBT teams in the UK, International Trade Advisers, senior-decision makers of Technology and Education sector companies in the UK and India, and various departments of Government at the State and Central levels to deliver DBT sector campaign and wider UK Government objectives; Market Access and Policy Support (30%) Work with trade policy and market access colleagues to overcome trade barriers being faced by UK companies; Delegations and Ministerial Visits (10%) Support UK business delegations visiting India and Indian business delegations visiting the UK by organising various events and meetings; Support senior managers, including UK Ministers, HM Trade Commissioner and other senior management, providing them with high-quality briefing and advice with an aim to strengthen relationships with senior local contacts and further facilitate towards achieving the objectives of the team and DBT; Lead and effectively deliver events and activities based in the Western Region of India; To be successful: You will have an over arching understanding of the tech, education, & skills sector - knowledge of both in India and the UK context and a strong network on the ground would be preferred. You will use your analytical skills to apply this to identifying significant market opportunities for UK business and then supporting them to turn these in to opportunities; You will need to be strategically aware to identify emerging opportunities in the sector, as well as relevant trends in the UK and emerging potential exports and investments into India; You will have strong interpersonal skills and be capable of setting the direction for yourself and those around you, gaining their trust and respect - while working within a virtual team located across India; You will be an excellent collaborator, with experience of developing productive relationships with senior decision-makers, stakeholders and partners, and of using these to deliver your objectives; and You will need to be collaborative and flexible, and able to manage yourself and the demands on you. You will also lead on sector specific communications You will have good project management skills to deliver campaigns; and be detail-oriented with excellent English written and verbal communication skills. You will be expected to produce written work in to a high standard Learning and development opportunities: The British High Commission in India and the Department for Business & Trade offer excellent training opportunities to employees. A successful candidate will be asked to complete an induction course and further training will be offered tailored to individual needs. The candidate will need to travel within India and internationally, with opportunities to travel to the UK for sector related events and training courses.  Essential qualifications, skills and experience Essential on arrival: Qualifications: Graduate/post graduate. Candidates without the required educational qualifications but with exceptional practical experience will be considered. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of relevant commercial/business/government experience Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to develop a network and manage the relationship with senior decision makers in government and industry Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to search out significant opportunities for UK business. Tried and tested project management skills Excellent interpersonal, team working and people management skills Language Requirements: Language: English Level of Language Required: Expert Desirable qualifications, skills and experience • A high level understanding of Technology, Education, & Skills sector, and a strong network in the sector in India• Experience of dealing with senior level decision makers in corporate organisations and state governments• Experience of working in the UK; knowledge of the business environment and of UK business related policies.• Marketing and presentational skills• Experience of working in trade/export promotion Required behaviours Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service Application deadline 26 November 2025 Grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Type of Position Full-time, Permanent Working hours per week 40 Region South Asia & Afghanistan Country/Territory India Location (City) Mumbai, New Delhi Type of Post British High Commission Number of vacancies 2 Salary Currency INR Salary INR 125,179 per month plus 12% Provident Fund and 6% Superannuation Fund Type of Salary monthly Start Date 1 March 2026 Other benefits and conditions of employment For British High Commission candidates, the Country Based Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply. For other than BHC Candidates, salary will be all-inclusive of INR 125,179 per month plus 12% Provident Fund and 6% Superannuation Fund. Additionally, the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family which includes self, spouse/partner and children up to an age of 23 years and irrespective of age, only if with, physical or mental disability. No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided. FCDO does not pay for any travelling, accommodation & relocation expenses incurred and/or accept any financial risk, including cancellation or reschedule costs Please note - BHC does not deduct tax at source and employees are required to ensure that any requirements of local income-tax law are complied with in full. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g., some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.  Around half of our work forces are women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment.  This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCDO has anywhere across the globe. We are aiming to make it the best.