The UK Trade & Investment team, based at the British Consulate-General Milan is looking for a full time LEIII Investment Assistant.

UK Trade & Investment is the British Government’s organisation that offers dedicated, professional and confidential assistance for Italian companies wishing to relocate, to set up new operations or expand existing operations in the UK. Services include providing personalised information on commercial matters, providing studies on industrial sector information, providing support to Italian companies who wish to implement R&D in the UK and assisting new technological partnerships between Italy and the UK. A key project for our strategy is building up collaboration opportunities with regional industrial and academic networks with the aim of promoting the opportunities of Europe’s leading investment destination and the benefit of UKTI’s support services.

We are looking for a dynamic, motivated and experienced person to work on this project and contribute to the objectives of our work in Italy. The ideal candidate should have a business background, and an ability to engage confidently with senior interlocutors. Being able to work in a team is essential, but the candidate will also be expected to work independently.

The jobholder will be based in the British Consulate in Milan their main tasks will include:

• Generating and actively pursuing opportunities for UK-Italy cooperation with the regional, industrial and academic networks;
• Monitoring the Italian investment climate and economic outlook, with an emphasis on priority sectors according to Government strategy;
• Planning seminars and events;
• Identifying and pursuing potential target companies;
• Working with multiplier organisations;
• Providing regular reports on activities.

Skills/qualities required.

The Investment Assistant will:

• be fluent Italian and English;
• be able to work within a small team;
• have a good knowledge of Italian industry and business issues, and preferably some knowledge of the UK and UK business;
• have good IT skills, including providing suitable support to the Investment Team in the preparation of multimedia presentations;
• be able to deal efficiently with a wide range of external contacts.

The starting gross monthly salary is unlikely to exceed Euros 1894.17 pro rata paid 14 times per annum plus €10.33 EDR paid 13 times per annum.

The initial leave allocation is 30 days per annum plus a maximum of 14 Public Holidays decided by HM Ambassador in Rome.  There is a six months probation period.

The successful candidate will be required to serve on the Consular Duty Officer roster, providing an emergency telephone response service in the evenings and at weekends/on public holidays. There is an extra allowance for this duty.

If you are interested in this position, please e-mail a written application and CV in English to Hrmilan@fco.gov.uk by 9 November 2009, quoting reference UKTI/MI/Inv3.