Trade and Investment Intern

Job Description

Job Category

Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT)

Job Subcategory

Commercial Diplomacy

Job Description

Who we are

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) team at the British Embassy Paris is recruiting three fixed six-month internships from September 2024 to February 2024. (Please note: start dates may vary subject to security clearances).

The Department for Business and Trade team in France focus on driving economic growth for the UK, preparing our economy for the future by developing and growing British business. We do this by securing French investment into the UK, tackling market access barriers, growing UK exports, and making the UK a brand of choice in France. The DBT team in France works from the British Embassy in Paris and from offices in Bordeaux and Lyon. Interns will join a dynamic group of around 35 colleagues focused on promoting trade and investment between the UK and France and furthering business ties between both countries.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for ambitious candidates with a drive to make the most of the opportunities made available by the internship. The work will be demanding and, to get the most from this opportunity, the interns would need to be flexible, committed self-starters able to juggle priorities and work on a wide variety of projects on tight timelines. Should successful candidates have an interest or relevant experience in a particular area of the teams’ work we will do our best to assign projects and tasks that align with those preferences.

What we offer

In return, we offer real responsibility in a dynamic and collegiate environment. There will be opportunities to collaborate with colleagues working across the Embassy on issues such as economic relations, science & innovation and communications & outreach. We are committed to providing all interns with substantive professional development, both in terms of exposure and impact.

These 6-month internships are an excellent introduction to how the UK government supports businesses that are expanding internationally and, more generally, to how the commercial section of an Embassy works. They can be a fantastic springboard for future careers in government or business. Previous interns have gone on to secure permanent roles in the DBT France team and elsewhere in UK Government.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Interns will gain a combination of research, drafting and advisory skills; analytical and commercial skills, and delivery at pace of a balance of operational and project-based tasks. In particular:

• Provision of tailored information and support to UK companies in a variety of sectors, including new exporters and companies new to the French market.
• Research into trade and investment trends, new opportunities across France; and prioritised industries and sectors.
• Planning and delivery of commercial events aimed at supporting UK exporters to access the French market and French companies to learn about the UK as an investment destination.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Fluency at C1 level in English and French according to CEFR framework*, or equivalent
• Working level proficiency in English and French: however, candidates can choose to complete their application and conduct an interview in either English or French.
• Good IT skills, with a focus on Microsoft Office suite.
• A demonstrable interest in business and international trade but not necessarily through academia.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• An interest in current affairs and/or the business world.
• Some experience in a client-facing role, or customer service experience.
• Some experience of working in a project environment or of juggling competing priorities, whether in a work or personal context.
• A motivated, flexible, committed self-starter.
• Excellent oral and written skills.

Required competencies

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture

Application deadline
9 June 2024