This is a hugely exciting role at a vital time for the UK-Vietnam relationship. As the UK and Vietnam marked 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2023, the bilateral trade relationship continues to strengthen and deepen. The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2020, has substantially reduced barriers to trade and deepened cooperation across trade policy areas. The UK is committed to further deepening its ties with Vietnam and the wider APAC region, including through access to the CPTPP trade bloc. And the UK and Vietnam are cooperating increasingly closely across a range of areas such as digitalisation, the clean energy transition, and developing new skills.
This role will see you lead on technology, a priority sector at the heart of the UK-Vietnam trade partnership. The UK is renowned for its world-leading technology sector and start-up environment, and has placed the sector it at the centre of its recently published Industrial Strategy. In this role you will represent the UK's industry offer in technology, promoting UK expertise in digitalisation, cyber security, financial technology, semiconductors, AI, and technological innovation more broadly. You will champion the UK tech sector and assist UK tech companies looking to access and build their operations in Vietnam. You will proactively build a strong network of relevant commercial and government contacts, leveraging these to secure positive outcomes for the UK-Vietnam tech partnership. You will provide advice and cross-cutting support on technology to colleagues who lead on other relevant sectors, including EdTech, FinTech, digital health, clean energy and smart cities. You will lead and deliver key workstreams, activities and trade promotion initiatives to ensure the UK is best positioned as a partner to Vietnam on its tech development ambitions.
You will lead on designing and delivering UK trade missions, supporting UK businesses in-market through tailored programmes and stakeholder engagement. You’ll also assist the investment lead in developing the VC/tech component of the strategy
In addition, you’ll advocate for UK firms by addressing market access barriers, building relationships with key Vietnamese stakeholders, and leveraging senior visits to advance UK tech interests. You’ll also navigate broader political and security issues affecting the sector.
Throughout these duties you will ensure effective join-up with regional leads for the UK's tech network (particularly across Southeast Asia) as well as with political and development colleagues across the Consulate and Embassy to build a coherent and effective network approach to our technology activity. You will have excellent relationships with UK businesses and key Vietnamese stakeholders. Your role will contribute significantly to Vietnam's long-term development aspirations.
You will need demonstrable knowledge of the tech sector. You will need to be able to communicate this to a UK audience, be able to articulate the opportunities for UK companies to increase their exports to Vietnam, and identify opportunities for relevant UK-funded technical assistance and sharing of UK best practice. You will need to be a self-starter, able to manage your own time effectively, evaluating options, impacts, risks and solutions – knowing when and how to seek advice from others. You will also be expected to make a positive contribution to the wider DBT and One-HMG team across the Vietnam network. There will be opportunities for travel within Vietnam for relevant activities.
This role is ideally suited to someone who is proactive and comfortable working under limited supervision – coming up with their own solutions to problems – but knowing when and how to seek advice from others, including their line manager. You should also be a strong networker who seeks out new relationships while maintaining current relationships. You will also be expected to make a positive contribution to the wider DBT and British government team which will include working closely with colleagues in the Embassy in Hanoi and British Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City, British Chamber Vietnam and the wider ASEAN region.
Language requirements:
This vacancy is advertised as a fixed term role of 12 months with possibility of extension and is open to applicants that wish to work in Hanoi OR Ho Chi Minh City. The successful candidate is expected to come to the office five days a week.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
We encourage all staff to develop their capabilities, through both formal training courses and informal opportunities such as job-shadowing, coaching and on-the-job training. All staff are encouraged to share their skills and experience with colleagues, through informal training sessions or coaching/mentoring. We have an active L&D committee who organise a varied programme of learning for all staff.
All staff are eligible for 5 Learning and Development days a year.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to developing its staff. There will be opportunities for formal training alongside collaborating with a wide range of colleagues delivering on-the-job learning.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. Visa sponsorship may be possible for non-Vietnamese nationals if meet local requirements.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
Disabled and ethnic minority applicants will be invited to interviews if meeting the minimum requirement of the job.
Working patterns:
Full time - 39.5 hours per week with one hour lunch. Mon-Thursday 08:30–16:45, Friday 08:30–15:00.
The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
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, 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.
All applications must be received before 23:55 (Local Vietnam Time) on the day of the deadline indicated above.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
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.
Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification. 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”.
Please check the application centre regularly for any update on your application.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
