INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS REGIONAL MANAGER NORTH OF ENGLAND (RME/17) Based in Manchester Fixed Term for an initial period of 2 years with the option to extend for a further year. CLOSING DATE: 12:00 NOON GMT ON FRIDAY 8 TH DECEMBER 2017 Invest NI is an Equal Opportunities Employer Invest NI is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community. At this time, it particularly welcomes applications from people with disabilities and from minority ethnic groups. Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 1 of 15
CONTENTS: Prior to completing the application form we recommend that applicants familiarise themselves with the contents of this information pack. The pack includes: o o o o o o About Invest NI Pages 3 Invest NI vision and Values Pages 4 Job Overview and Selection Process Pages 5 to 11 Terms and Conditions Page 12 to 13 Equality Page 14 Annex A Interview Guidance Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 2 of 15
About Invest Northern Ireland As the regional business development agency, the role of Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI) is to grow the local economy. We do this by supporting new and existing businesses to compete internationally, and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland. A non-departmental public body, we are part of the Department for the Economy, and we provide strong government support for business by effectively delivering the Government s economic development strategies. Invest NI offers the Northern Ireland business community a single organisation providing high-quality services, programmes, support and expert advice. We principally support those businesses that can make the greatest contribution to growing our economy. These are businesses that have ability to grow and drive productivity in the economy and are keen to export their goods and services outside Northern Ireland. This is an exciting time for Invest NI as the organisation enters into a new Corporate Plan period and refines its business model to meet the demands of a challenging business environment and to deliver against our new Corporate Plan, the Programme for Government and Northern Ireland Economic Strategy targets. For more information about Invest NI please go to the Invest NI website, www.investni.com. Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 3 of 15
Invest NI Vision and Values Our vision and values outline what we aim to achieve and how we will act in all our dealings with customers and stakeholders. OUR VISION We will champion the growth of innovation and exports to build a local economy that competes globally. We will be a world leading business development agency. OUR VALUES Customer focus: We are highly responsive and proactive, creating value adding relationships. We will deliver on the identified needs of our customers. Respect: Integrity: One Team: Passion: Professional: Performance: We show mutual regard for all others, value diversity and are committed to the organisation. We take responsibility for all our actions, in particular the management of risk, and are vigilant in managing public money. We are honest and fair with each other and our customers (stakeholders). We are one team working to achieve shared goals. We believe in and are enthusiastic about what we do. We have a desire to succeed, to continually innovate and look for ways to do things better. We are clear, concise and straightforward. We continually develop and apply our skills and knowledge to provide a high quality service. We strive to achieve our goals in line with Invest NI s strategy, policy and procedures. BACKGROUND Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 4 of 15
Invest NI s operating structure is comprised of eight business groups of which the International Business Group is one. CEO Regional Business Group Business & Sector Development Group Internatuonal Business Business Solutions Group Finance & Operations Group Human Resources Group Communications Group Strategy Group Eastern/ North Eastern Services Americas Innovation Research & Development Financial Management Human Resources PR & Media Relations Strategy & Market Research Entrepreneurship Manufacturing & Advanced Engineering Europe & Russia Innovation & Technology Solutions Internal Operations Learning & Development Sectors & International Knowledge Management & Corporate Information North West Food India, Middle East & Africa Skills & Competitiveness Performance Compliance & Coordination Contract Management Team Campaigns &Solutions Economist Southern Life Sciences & Scaling Asia Pacific Corporate Finance & Property Solutions Legal Services Corporate Responsibility Internal Communications Transform Western International Investment Budget & Compliance Business Appraisal Offers & Claims UKTI Relationship EU Partner Delivery Trade Bedford Street Developments Ltd Sector & Cluster Development Social Enterprise Hubs NI Connections Stage of Development High Potential Start Ups More about Invest NI s International Business Group The International Business Group is responsible for: Delivering Invest NI s International Business strategy; Delivering an effective export development programme and support activity to assist Northern Ireland companies seeking to trade internationally; Leading and directing all Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) sales activity. This includes developing and leading new activity based on reduced corporation tax; Managing key and prospective investors and stakeholders in international markets; Developing university and technology linkages in international markets; Advising and providing support to Ministers / Government / Invest NI and key stakeholders visiting international markets and engaging with NI Executive s International Relations Strategy; and NI Diaspora engagement through NI Connections. The International Business Group has primary responsibility for all Invest NI s activities in international markets. This includes securing high levels of inward investment to Northern Ireland, supporting Northern Ireland companies to access business Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 5 of 15
opportunities and grow in international markets, developing university or technology linkages and building a network of key influencers. It is also responsible for assisting Northern Ireland companies to accelerate their export growth through a range of initiatives. The Group is comprised of the International Investment Division and the Trade Division based in the Belfast Headquarters, and a network of international offices organised around four distinct geographic areas: North and South America, Europe (including Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland), India, Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific. In partnership with the staff based in headquarters, our network of international office staff is tasked with forging links with business communities throughout the region in which they operate, promoting goods and services offered by Northern Ireland companies, identifying new business opportunities and attracting new inward investment from dynamic multinational companies in key business sectors to locate in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland has already proven itself to be an attractive investment location with a number of large international corporations in the region. Building on a strong track record of bringing in new investment, Invest NI is now preparing for a new lower rate of Corporation Tax which will enable Northern Ireland to compete for and win new investment. It will open doors and give Northern Ireland one of the most competitive and attractive investment propositions in Western Europe. Invest NI will be driving forward a range of activities to develop an enhanced proposition and sell the benefits of Northern Ireland to investors on a worldwide basis, including targeted communications and marketing campaigns, advertising, investor engagement and in-market events. Invest NI is also focused on helping companies build exports in established markets such as United States, Canada, Germany, France and Netherlands and in developing new markets such as China, the Middle East, South America, South Africa and the Nordic countries. Services in the international team are delivered through a mix of Invest NI staff and External Delivery Organisations. More about the Europe Division Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 6 of 15
The Europe Team has responsibility for promoting Northern Ireland and marketing it as a first-choice inward investment location for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects. It is also responsible for promoting exports to this region (Great Britain, Republic of Ireland and mainland Europe), focusing on a number of sectors including food, construction, aerospace, materials handling and renewables. Currently, the Europe office network covers the following locations: London; Belfast; Brussels; Dusseldorf; Dublin. These offices include Business Development Executives focused on encouraging trade and attracting investment to Northern Ireland. They are augmented by teams of in market representatives and advisors based across other key target European locations. More about the role The job holder will be Invest NI s key representative within the North of England and will lead on all trade and investment activities for Northern Ireland in the region. The primary focus of the position will be trade development, particularly in key sectors such as manufacturing and healthcare but the candidate will also be required to assist companies across a range of sectors. He/she is also expected to promote and achieve FDI flows into Northern Ireland and forge relationships at the highest level with stakeholders and business. Key Responsibilities Develop a market strategy for the North of England region to promote Northern Ireland capability and which contributes to the overall goals of the Europe territory; Engage effectively with colleagues and stakeholders based in Northern Ireland to provide market and sector briefings and to ensure that activity in the market aligns with corporate plans; Proactively identify relevant business opportunities in the region for Northern Ireland companies through market intelligence, connections and research and promote the Northern Ireland capability to key decision makers; Develop a constructive dialogue and close working links with companies, buyers, sector bodies and other stakeholders and influencers in the region; Build strong relationships with the Department of International Trade (DIT) staff and where appropriate work on joint planning and delivery of events; Support Northern Ireland companies interested in the North of England region by providing information they require to make informed business Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 7 of 15
decisions by handling market research and assessment enquiries, conducting visits, setting up appointments and writing appropriate reports; Identify FDI projects through strong connections with manufacturing and healthcare companies looking to expand operations; Oversee and manage in-market support for company visits, trade missions, events and exhibitions. Manage visit programmes for key stakeholders (including Ministerial delegations) and arrange all necessary logistics and protocols; Develop and maintain a network of Northern Ireland ex-pats living/working in region and work with NI Connections to lever economic returns to Northern Ireland; Manage relevant information sources and maintain accurate recording of customer and stakeholder information on Invest NI s Customer Relationship Management system (CRM) and management systems. Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 8 of 15
PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION Candidates must demonstrate: 1. A recent successful significant sales / business development track record in either the Healthcare or Manufacturing sector in the North of England; 2. Recent experience of building, maintaining and utilising a strong network of contacts in either the Healthcare or Manufacturing sector in the North of England for the purposes of business development; 3. A sound knowledge of the principles of exporting and experience of assisting companies achieve export success; 4. Recent experience of effectively managing multiple projects/initiatives and the associated resources including budgets, to ensure that tight deadlines and customer expectations are met; 5. Evidence of strong relationship management and interpersonal skills with proven ability to effectively negotiate and influence to achieve successful outcomes; 6. Applicants must possess a full driving licence and have the use of a car for business purposes or have access to a form of transport which will permit them to meet the requirements of the post in full. Recent has been defined as within the past 8 years. Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 9 of 15
THE SELECTION PROCESS Application Forms To ensure equality of opportunity for all applicants: The space available on the application form is the same for all applicants and must not be altered or re-formatted; We will not accept CVs or any other supplementary material in addition to completed application forms; Applicants must complete the application form in Arial size 10 font, or block capitals using black ink; We will not accept any applications which are received after the closing date; Invest NI will organise a Criminal Record Check on successful applicants to be carried out by AccessNI. The category of AccessNI check required for this post is Basic Disclosure Certificate. You should not put off applying for a post because you have a conviction and any disclosure will be seen in the context of the job description, the nature of the offence and the responsibility for the care of existing clients and employees. We deal with all criminal record information in a confidential manner, and information relating to convictions is destroyed after a decision is made; For more information, the address of the AccessNI website is: http://www.accessni.gov.uk/. Applicants who are being considered for appointment will be asked to complete the AccessNI application form. Please note that a request to complete this form should not be seen as a guarantee of an offer of appointment. Failure to complete the application form and return it within the specified time will be regarded as no longer interested in the position and your application will be withdrawn. Criminal Record information is subject to the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (NI) Order 1978. All applications for employment are considered strictly on the basis of merit. Completed applications, which demonstrate the experience and skills sought, must be submitted to the Monitoring Officer by 12:00 Noon GMT on Friday 8 th December 2017. Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 10 of 15
Shortlisting A shortlist of candidates for interview will be prepared on the basis of the information contained in the application. Shortlisting will be conducted against criteria 1, 2, 3 4 and 6 in the Personnel Specification as set out above. Invest NI will not make assumptions from the title of the applicant s post or the nature of the organisation as to the skills and experience gained, and it is not appropriate simply to list the various posts that an applicant has held. Only those candidates who, from the information supplied on the application form, most closely match the Personnel Specification criteria will be shortlisted. Interview and Assessment Invest NI may conduct preliminary interviews with those candidates who are shortlisted in order to establish a list of candidates for final interview and assessment. Invest NI reserves the right to interview only those applicants who appear, from the information available, to be the most suitable. The panel s decision at every stage of the selection process is final. Timescale for Interviews Following shortlisting, successful candidates will be invited to take part in an interview and assessment. It may not be possible to offer alternative dates. Candidates successful at shortlisting will be informed of the relevant dates as soon as possible. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Canvassing Canvassing in any form is not allowed. Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 11 of 15
TERMS AND CONDITIONS The appointment is full-time for a fixed term period for 2 years with the option to extend for a further year. The salary range for the position is 36,448-40,072 per annum. (Deputy Principal Pay Scale August 2016). The entry point on the salary range for the successful candidate will be the minimum of the range. The person appointed will be expected to take up the position as soon as possible. Appointment is subject to receipt of two satisfactory references and a background check carried out by Access NI. Prior to taking up his/her new duties, the successful candidate must: Supply a copy of his/her birth certificate. Enter into an agreement setting out the terms of his/her appointment. Location The primary location of the role is in Manchester. It is envisaged that the successful candidate will be required to undertake regular travel for business purposes across the north of England, wider Great Britain and in Northern Ireland. Hours of Work Employees work a minimum 37 hour week, Monday to Friday. Employees will be required from time to time to work outside normal working hours. Conflicts of Interest Candidates must note the requirement to declare areas of actual, potential or perceived conflict with the interests of Invest NI. The successful candidate will be required to make such declarations upon offer of employment and annually thereafter for Invest NI s consideration. The successful candidate will required to abide by the rules adopted by Invest NI in relation to private interest and possible conflict with public duty; the disclosure of official information; and political activities. Probation You will be subject to a 10 month probationary period. At the end of this period, subject to satisfactory performance, the successful candidate will be confirmed in post. Annual Leave Arrangements Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 12 of 15
The leave year runs from 1 February 31 January. Your annual leave entitlement is 25 days per annum with an additional 12 Public Holidays. Leave entitlement in the period prior to the start of the new leave year is pro-rata. Pensions You will be eligible to join the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme Northern Ireland (PCSPSNI). Further detailed information, booklets are available via the Civil Service Pensions website at: http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/civilservicepensions-ni/index Any further queries about pension arrangements for new appointees to Invest NI should be addressed with Civil Service Pensions Branch. Learning and Development Invest NI is an Investors in People accredited organisation and is committed to supporting staff to reach their full potential. Invest NI actively develops all staff and invests significantly in training and development for business success and growth. This includes on-the-job training, external training and, where appropriate, further education. Other benefits Invest NI has a range of policies designed to assist staff achieve a Work / Life Balance, including flexible working practices (for example parental leave), provision of special leave for emergencies and employee welfare services. Invest NI staff also have access to a number of schemes including Employers For Childcare, Healthcare, Cycle to Work, Annual Commuter Travel Card. No Smoking Policy Invest NI operates a no smoking policy in all its offices Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 13 of 15
Equality of Opportunity Invest NI is committed to a policy of Equality of Opportunity in its employment practices and aims to ensure that no actual or potential job applicant or Staff Member is discriminated against, either directly or indirectly, on the grounds of gender, marital status, disability, race, community background or political persuasion, age, dependants, sexual orientation or Trade Union membership. Each person shall have equal opportunity for employment, training and advancement in Invest NI on the basis of ability, qualifications and performance. This maximises the effective use of human resources in the best interests of both the organisation and the individual. Invest NI is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community. To facilitate Equality of Opportunity Invest NI offers a range of family friendly policies which reduce barriers to combining work and family commitments. To help ensure that we are meeting our Equality of Opportunity obligations, Invest NI monitors the composition of staff and applicants. This monitoring helps to assess whether any of our policies, procedures or activities are operating to the detriment of any particular grouping within our diverse society. Therefore the monitoring form included with your application form is regarded as part of your application and should be completed and returned. The monitoring form will not be shown to the selection panel. It will be separated from the application form by the monitoring officer, and transferred to a computer based monitoring system. There it will be protected, access restricted and used strictly in line with good practice procedures. Invest NI is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 14 of 15
Annex A INTERVIEW GUIDANCE If this is your first experience of a competence-based interview, bear in mind that it does not require you to: talk through previous jobs or appointments from start to finish; discuss your background and experience at a general level; or provide any information that is not relevant to the post for which you are applying. A competence-based interview does however require you to: focus exclusively on the competences required for effective performance in the role; and provide specific examples of your experience in relation to the required competence areas. In preparation for the interview you may wish to think about having a clear structure for each of your examples, such as: Situation outline the situation; Task - what was your objective, what were you trying to achieve; Action - what did you actually do, what was your unique contribution; Result - what happened, what was the outcome, what did you learn. It is strongly recommended that you familiarise yourself with the competences and associated behaviours. The interview panel will ask you to provide specific examples from your past experience in relation to each of the competences. You should therefore come to the interview prepared to discuss in detail a range of examples which best illustrate your skills and abilities in each competence area. You may draw examples from any area of your work / life experiences. Regional Manager - North of England RME/17 Page 15 of 15