JPN (Tokyo) - Regional Director for Northeast Asia - Invest Northern Ireland, G7

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 Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas) Job Subcategory Northern Ireland Bureau / Northern Ireland Group / Invest Northern Ireland Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Main Purpose of Job :

Based in the British Embassy in Tokyo, the post-holder will lead a small team and represent Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan (the Region). Reporting to the Head of Asia Pacific (based in Singapore), the post-holder will be Invest NI’s key representative in the Region, responsible for developing and delivering an agreed market strategy with the ultimate goal of securing trade and investment wins for Northern Ireland. The primary focus of the position will be :

• Trade development across specific business sectors, helping Northern Ireland companies to increase export sales to the Region,
• Specific business sectors are determined by INI HQ and are based on the export needs of the INI client companies and the Northern Ireland economy.
• Liaising with INI Trade team in Belfast and the respective UK Government posts in Seoul, South Korea and Taipei, Taiwan to triage and provide assistance, where able, to INI Client companies requesting in-market assistance in South Korea and Taiwan.
• Promotion of Northern Ireland as a location for inward investment and infrastructure investment.

Note, specific business sectors may change from time to time – currently specific business sectors for active trade development in Japan are Agri-Food & Drink, Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering.

When carrying out his / her work, the post-holder will be required to forge effective working relationships with a wide range of businesses, our partners, Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and other UK stakeholders, senior officials and government and business representative organisations across Japan, South Korea and Taiwan and Northern Ireland.

The post-holder will develop and co-ordinate targeted activities such as marketing, promotional events and exhibitions and represent Invest Northern Ireland at business conferences and speak at events as needed. Outputs and outcomes activity reports will be submitted monthly to the Head of Asia Pacific. Invest NI clients are primarily businesses, and the post-holder will undertake research and prepare reports and meeting programmes and provide advice to them about doing business in Japan. The post holder will be required to monitor expenditure and deliver activities within a pre-allocated budget. The post holder will also work closely with the wider Invest NI teams based in its Belfast headquarters, Asia Pacific and other locations.

The post-holder is expected to undertake travel on a regular basis, either within Japan, the Region, Asia Pacific or to the UK and other countries as required.

What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve :

Exports & Investment :

Effective Strategic Relationship Management :

Database & Budget Management :

Resources Managed (staff and expenditure) :

The post-holder will manage two members of staff, who are also located in the British Embassy in Tokyo.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Language Requirements :

This role requires written and spoken proficiency in both English and Japanese. Fluency (minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Knowledge of the UK and in particular Northern Ireland’s key sectors and business drivers

Required behaviours Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture Application deadline 6 July 2025 Grade Grade 7 (G7) Type of Position Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal Working hours per week 37.5 Region Asia Pacific Country / Territory Japan Location (City) Tokyo Type of Post British Embassy Number of vacancies 1 Salary Currency JPY Salary JPY 1,216,000 per month Type of Salary monthly Start Date 1 September 2025 Other benefits and conditions of employment

This role is advertised as a 12-month fixed term contract, with the possibility of renewal for a further 12 months.

Note : Salary may be reduced due to tax status)

Working Patterns :

The British Embassy supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering. This role allows for flexible working e.g. start and end times, working compressed hours, working remotely on one day a week, and the possibility of a job share arrangement, subject to agreement with management.

This role will be offered pending successful reference and security checks and is subject to the appropriate permissions to work. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Tokyo is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Japan employment law.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in Japan with the correct visa / work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.

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.

The FCDO operates an agile approach to delivery. To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.

Learning and Development Opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed) :

The post-holder will be required to liaise actively and regularly with the Asia Pacific Head of Territory, and with other Invest Northern Ireland offices. The post-holder will manage a pre-allocated budget with the Head of Asia Pacific, monitor expenditure and perform various reporting. The post-holder will be expected to make decisions delegated to him / her by the Head of Asia Pacific, and act within Invest Northern Ireland policies and guidelines.

Induction training will be provided at Invest NI’s Head office and locally in Tokyo, Japan. The post-holder will also be able to access learning and development opportunities afforded by the British Embassy in Tokyo and by Invest NI