Trade and Investment Officer
British Embassy
Total years of experience :16 years, 9 Months
•Carrying out market research on behalf of UK companies in Abu Dhabi. The research will involve meeting companies on the ground in Abu Dhabi and presenting the customers' business. Part of this research will also include researching the press, website research and attending local exhibitions.
•Arranging for receptions and events as required by customers to launch their products or offices in Abu Dhabi. This is another chargeable service and involves logistical arrangements and organising guest lists and locations, catering etc.
•Making arrangements for official visitors to Abu Dhabi. These can range from Ministers, Royal visitors and senior officials. Arrangements usually involve programmes, calls, social events and transport and can involve a significant amount of preparation up to 6 weeks before the visit. Work on such visits usually requires working with local authorities and Government.
•Meeting visiting UK business people and giving briefing on the particular sector they are interested in. This will include background on Abu Dhabi, advice on setting up business here, and sector specific information.
•Participation in the arrangements for visiting UK trade missions including administrative arrangements and contributions to their briefing packs, attendance at briefings and highlighting areas of opportunity in Abu Dhabi to members of the Trade Mission.
•Visiting local companies in Abu Dhabi to widen our knowledge base and to identify contacts for future chargeable enquiries and references.
•Reacting to enquiries from local companies seeking information about potential contacts in the UK and posting business opportunities on the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) website.
•On occasion, attending out of hours social networking functions.
•Answering telephone enquiries and manning the commercial section reception area.
•Recording all information gathered on our database and also on the UKTI world-wide Customer Relations Management database.
• Line managing Junior Visa Assistant on setting their career objectives and helping them to enhance their skills for self growth and company productivity.
• Handled Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain desks, Pakistan PBS Pre-assessment Team, and was a Tehran desk team leader and Pakistan desk team leader.
• Overseeing the visa application delivery / collection process from the Commercial Partner (CP)
• Attend for work promptly and in line with published attendance benchmarks.
• Participating fully in the appraisal process
• Use all IT in accordance with Standard Operating and Security Procedures in line with the Code of Conduct.
• Show consideration for others' needs and motivations, value diversity and inclusion; work effectively and supportively with colleagues and contacts in the immediate and wider teams.
- Pakistan Desk Team Leader
- Visa Writer
- Tehran Desk Team Leader
- Tehran Appointments/Enquiries
- Pakistan Desk Pre-Assessment Team
- Manning Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain Desk
• Search for and link previous traces to all applications received by the Visa Section. To check each proviso record for accuracy of data
• Looking for missing files relating to correspondence work.
• Sending faxes to various departments as requested.
• Uploading visa application information’s on proviso for Entry Clearance Officers to assess.
• Concluding decided entry clearance applications and reporting daily work records to superiors.
• Providing assistance to Entry Clearance assistant and Entry Clearance Officers.
• Provide first hand information for all queries about UK Visas.
• Recommends applicants of supporting documents they may also submit along with their application.
• Handles inbound / outbound call and e-mail support.
• Follow - up pending cases of applicants and attend to it accordingly.
• Report complaints to supervisor and makes first stage solution if applicable.
• Sends daily report to British Embassy as per manager’s request.
• Monitor calls and file a call report everyday for record purposes.
• Assist colleagues on data entry and passport sorting and release.
• Perform other tasks assigned by supervisor and manager.
• Qualify callers through cold-calling.
• Place targeted outbound calls to multi-territories introducing Bayt.com products and services.
• Ensure a balance between leads generated from online and print medium. When leads are not possible to be generated from advertised medium.
• Record every dial outcome and communication as accurately as possible in the system.
• Create follow-up calls to re-qualify at the appropriate time and send info mails, info faxes to the spoken companies.
• Follow up with tasks assigned by the Regional Manager.
• Make effective research to add up more and more websites in your list of lead generation websites.
• Manages office functions to support the Company Owner/Manager.
• Performs and coordinates all administrative activities. Disseminates files, maintains archives and monitors all project documents within the scope of work and ensuring that documentation continues to be correctly collated, categorized and registered.
• Handles/screens incoming calls, emails, fax and correspondences and responds accordingly to the clients and consultants concerns.
• Researches documents as requested. Prints and distributes copies of documents to place in their correct work station.
• Communicating directly with Project Management on matters related to project documentation, specifically, as required by contracts such as performance bond and insurance.
• Prepares BOQ, Progress Payment Certificates and Quotations. Maintains and reconciles the Expense System which includes invoicing, petty cash and payables and receivables.
• Provides any solution that arises in the reception and follow up clients and applicants inquiry.