Senior Trade Specialist, Life Sciences

About the Embassy

The British Embassy Berne is part of the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s world-wide diplomatic network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas.

Scottish Development International (SDI) is Scotland’s international trade agency helping Scottish companies internationalise and playing a valuable role in the British Embassy’s commercial outreach.

Shape the Future of Healthcare: Join Our Life Science Mission

Scotland has been at the forefront of medical innovations for over 200 years and its ability to develop new solutions in healthcare systems, informatics, big data and personalised medicine is class leading. As a part of this success, we are looking for a new colleague to help develop these business areas in Switzerland – and further afield.

Based at the British Embassy in beautiful Berne, you'll be at the heart of Europe's innovation ecosystem. Working closely the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade, you'll play a pivotal role for Scottish companies in driving innovation and export growth in life sciences and related healthcare industries.

What You'll Do:

• Identify Growth Opportunities: Analyse market trends, identify trade opportunities, and provide trusted advice and insight to Scottish companies.
• Foster Innovative Partnerships: Build strong connections with Swiss healthcare businesses, researchers, and clusters to foster collaboration and innovation.
• Drive Internationalisation: Assist Scottish companies in expanding their activities into the Swiss market

What We're Looking For:

• A strong understanding of the life science and healthcare sectors in Switzerland and a passion for innovation and technology.
• Excellent communication skills with a strategic mindset and a knack for problem-solving.
• A desire to work in a dynamic, international environment where understanding differing cultures is important.

What makes this role unique?

• Being part of Scotland's fast growing life science and healthcare sectors where animal science and agricultural technologies also play important roles.
• Work with cutting-edge companies across healthcare, precision medicines, informatics and data as well as in areas of sustainability, bio engineering and genomics.
• Drive innovation partnerships between Scottish and Swiss institutions which can contribute to the UK’s economic growth.

What will you be expected to achieve?

• Provide expert support and advice to Scottish companies wishing to enter the Swiss markets within life sciences, healthcare systems and human health.
• Deliver against Scottish trade strategies and export targets and advance Scotland as a centre for life science innovation.
• Build strategic relationships with Swiss organisations, private / public, that increase Scottish trade by identifying export opportunities.
• Lead on the development of innovation partnerships and networks with Swiss stakeholders such as incubators, clusters, academia and industry bodies.
• Collaborate with colleagues from across the UK Government as well as Swiss governmental departments, agencies and Cantons.
• Facilitate key events and activities which support Scottish trade work including webinars, conferences, roadshows, trade missions, Ministerial visits, virtual or otherwise.
• Support Scottish Government activity in the region as well as Scottish and UK Ministerial visits.

Essential skills, qualifications and experience:

• Knowledge of Swiss life science and healthcare ecosystems.
• An experienced networker with existing life science relationships in Switzerland / DACH.
• A fast learner who can demonstrate initiative, resilience, and adaptability.
• A team player with a consultative approach who can collaborate within a geography and virtually.
• Project management skills with ability to prioritise and juggle multiple activities.
• Fluent written and spoken English as well as German (minimum level required C2 under the CEFRL* or equivalent).

Desirable:

• An understanding of government, policy and the role it plays international trade.
• Experience of working in an international trade promotion environment across the region.
• Experience of public speaking and an ability to demonstrate credibility and expertise on complex issues.

Nice to have: 

• An understanding of government, policy and the role it plays international trade.
• Experience of working in an international trade promotion environment across the DACH region.
• Experience of public speaking and an ability to demonstrate credibility and expertise on complex issues.