British Embassy

Oslo

The British Embassy Oslo is looking for a Country Director to lead its Department for Business and Trade (DBT) Team and drive the UK’s trade and investment agenda with Norway.
DBT promotes British trade and investment around the world, helps to build an appetite for British goods and services globally and works to encourage foreign investment into the UK. DBT also brings together policy, promotion and financial expertise to break down barriers to trade &amp; investment and to help businesses to succeed.
At an important time in the UK’s relationship with our European partners and allies, you will be able to shape and influence how the trade and investment relationship between the UK and Norway develops and flourishes. Your focus will be on delivering for business and driving growth for the UK, exploiting new technology and building an expert team which is a great place to work.
As a member of the Embassy’s leadership team, you will also be expected to contribute to, support and help lead the wider work of the mission, including through collaborative team working.
The successful applicant should expect to travel within Norway and occasionally to the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
The jobholder will report directly to the Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission, with specialist oversight and support provided by DBT’s Regional Director (based in Copenhagen), working in turn to His Majesty Trade Commissioner for Europe. The role is part of the broader DBT Europe Country Director cadre, as well as the Europe North sub-regional grouping.
Main Responsibilities
Leadership and Strategic Vision
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Lead delivery of DBT priorities on trade, investment, market access and trade policy in Norway, providing strategic direction to a team of 7, empowering and supporting them to deliver.
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Lead with empathy, fostering a positive and inclusive team culture where colleagues are engaged, feel valued and respect one another. Inspire trust, motivation and a shared vision among team members.
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Support a learning and development culture which builds expertise and capability in the team. Actively listen, provide continuous feedback and empower individual growth.
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Champion innovation and creativity, supporting the team to spot and harness new opportunities, and to take managed risks.
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Proactively initiate and encourage strategic engagement with other government departments, UK Government teams in-market and regional counterparts across DBT Europe and Europe North. Actively seek opportunities for collaboration, propose joint initiatives and drive alignment to achieve shared objectives linked particularly to the UK Growth agenda and the Industrial Strategy.
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Communication &amp; resilience: maintain clear messaging, open dialogue and a people-first mindset while navigating pressures, setting direction and engaging the team.
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Delivery
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Lead the team in driving UK export wins in Norway, through the removal and navigation of market access barriers as well as trade promotion activities
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Provide leadership and direction for local efforts in maximising high value Foreign Direct and Capital Investment from Norway to the United Kingdom.
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Continue to build and track a pipeline of significant high value investment projects focusing on where government intervention can add value, including for barrier removals
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Drive the UK-Norway Trade Policy focus, aligning with UK ambitions to establish an effective cooperation framework and exchange
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Manage resources efficiently and effectively, prioritising as required and making the most of local and regional support and collaboration
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Manage the sub-delegated country budget.
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External Stakeholders
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Build and develop a broad network of relevant professional relationships with the highest significance for the UK’s business and trade interests, including strategic relationship management of key accounts.
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With other DBT colleagues, represent DBT Oslo externally and internally, including within the Europe North and wider Europe Network.
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Corporate and Wider UK Government
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Provide advice and analysis on UK-Norway business and trade relations as required to colleagues at the Embassy, including the Ambassador and senior team, and to DBT Europe, including the HM Trade Commissioner.
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As a senior leader in the embassy and DBT Europe North, take an active leadership role, helping to shape debate, contribute ideas and lead change, including on wider government, regional and embassy priorities.
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Role model positive behaviours, in line with the BE Oslo vision for a positive and inclusive embassy culture, treating others fairly and with respect.
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*The job description is subject to changes and may evolve over time and in response to changing circumstances. The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience:
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Excellent interpersonal, team working and people management skills. The successful candidate will be credible team leader capable of setting the direction for the team and gaining their trust and respect;
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Strategic relationship management experience, building and implementing stakeholder engagement strategies to achieve objectives. Need to demonstrate a solid track record of dealing with senior level decision makers (‘C-level’ executives);
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Policy skills and the ability to quickly develop a strong strategic level grip of market access and trade policy work, and to provide direction to the team on this. The successful candidate will be proactive and capable of absorbing a wide range of information from different sources, and using that to inform and shape their thinking;
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Highly organised, flexible, able to work at pace; and a proven record in ability to juggle multiple priorities, focusing on those which have the highest impact;
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A positive and adaptable attitude, including to continuous improvement and development of self and others. Experience of encouraging creative problem-solving skills.
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Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in a senior commercial or policy role;
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Full professional proficiency in English and Norwegian, including excellent writing skills (C1 Level).
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Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:
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Commercial knowledge, particularly of the Norwegian and UK markets;
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Experience in working with governments, government agencies or other public bodies, and the intersection of public and private sector;
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Investment and export promotion experience;
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Trade policy or market access experience.
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Required behaviours
Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Developing Self and Others, Leadership, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
Application deadline6 July, 2025
GradeSenior Executive Officer (SEO)
Type of PositionFull-time, Permanent
Working hours per week35 hours net
Country/TerritoryNorway
**Location (City)**Oslo
Number of vacancies1
Salary CurrencyNOK
Salary NOK 1,100,639 (gross)yearly
Wished Start Date1 October 2025
Other benefits and conditions of employment
This is a full-time and permanent contract position, five working days (currently 35 hours net) per week. The annual basic salary is NOK 1,100,639 (gross).
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance.
Europe DBT network and the Embassy in Norway are a rewarding and exciting place to work, offering:
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Scope for personal and professional development: Excellent networks and opportunities for support, including mentoring, coaching and job shadowing;
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Strong offer for learning and development, including dedicated L&amp;D days;
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An equal, diverse and engaged workplace;
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Work-life balance.
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Equal employment
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. DBT Europe Network want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Further information
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. 
For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission/Complaints
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and 6 months probationary period.
The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation for the Norway in order to apply.
Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy Oslo are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with Norwegian employment law.
Visa/work permit requirements: candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Norway and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.
Start date is an indicative target to

British Embassy, Oslo