Vice President & Head of Region MEA (Middle East & Africa)
- Application Deadline: April 5, 2023
- Stockholm
Middle East and Africa will be increasingly important for Swedish trade the coming years. Not only are six of the ten fastest growing economies in the world located in the MEA Region. In addition, the Swedish government has declared that foreign aid and trade promotion should be knitted closer together. This is manifested in the organisation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where the same minister now is responsible for both policy areas.
From a business perspective this is a dynamic region with great potential for Swedish companies thanks to the rapid urbanisation and technological development. Business Sweden helps businesses throughout the region from our five offices in Kenya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and United Arab Emirates. We offer strategic advice, practical support, market insights and an extensive business network to turn every challenge into a solution. Our mix of Swedish and local experts help companies navigate and we have a wide contact network in both the private and public sectors. Business Sweden also supports companies in MEA that plan to extend their business in Sweden.
The Middle East & Africa region is characterised by thriving economic growth and a drive for reforms, but it is also plagued by humanitarian crisis and political instability. The average growth is more than three percent, but several areas are still dependent on foreign aid. That is why this region in many aspects will be in the center of the policy development bringing aid and development measures closer to trade promotion.
What we expect from you
In your role leading the region you have full responsibility for people, operations, and client deliveries from the region’s five offices. You will also be responsible for the operational collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in their development of the political strategy and Business Sweden’s implementation of that strategy to concrete action. It is not known what the Government’s strategy will look like, but it may impose a need for establishing new offices, new stakeholder collaboration and new methods, tools, and solutions. As VP and Head of the region you will be part of Business Sweden’s management team.
Key responsibilities and tasks
Leading the region
- Guide leaders by setting clear expectations and act as coach to support them in their deliveries.
- Develop and drive people agenda to enable the attraction and growth of talent.
- Represent Sweden and/or Business Sweden in various public events.
- Full responsibility for revenue growth, Profit & Loss and delivery on the group and regional KPIs.
Client services
- Ongoing identification of business opportunities and secure the regional agenda to sell and market Business Sweden's services to existing and potential clients.
- Contribute to client deliveries and secure quality assurance processes.
- Maintain continuous dialogue with existing and potential clients and stakeholders.
- Represent the interest of Swedish companies and Business Sweden in the region through local networks and value adding stakeholder management.
- Develop Business Sweden’s perspective on closer collaboration between foreign aid and trade promotion and implement the political direction into concrete action in the region.
Member of the Management team
- Contribute to and run internal strategic development projects.
- Identify, upscale and share best practices.
- Contribute to Business Sweden's change management agenda.
- Live the Business Sweden values and be a role model in all aspects towards clients, staff, and all other stakeholders.
Work with great people
Skills & Requirements
Who we are looking for
- To succeed in this role, you have extensive leadership experience, also from coaching leaders and you lead with empathy and trust in focus.
- You are a strong communicator, with experience from engaging a workforce around vision and executing on strategy from a leadership role perspective.
- You have experience from selling and delivering consulting / advisory or other professional service assignments through a strong business acumen and with client focus and value creation at the center.
- You have a relevant academic degree, probably in Economics, Business Administration, Political Science and/or Engineering.
- You have a minimum of 15 years of applicable working experience, and preferably experience from an international organisation and experience from working with projects related to foreign aid.
- A good understanding of how the Swedish government offices works, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is a plus.
- A high level of proficiency in both written and spoken English and Swedish is a requirement. Any relevant additional language is positive.
- Experience from living and working in the region is meriting.
Personal profile
- You are a true collaborator internally and externally, building strong relationships with teams and clients.
- You enjoy problem solving and believe in diversity as a key success enabler when working in teams.
- You are analytical, reflective, focused and action oriented.
- You are open-minded and solution oriented.
Does this describe you?
If so, please send your resume as soon as possible as we will be screening applications continuously, but no later than 5th of April.
If you have any questions concerning the position, please contact Jan Larsson, CEO. If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Louise Lundberg, HR Business Partner.
Great Place to Work
Global exchanges and career opportunities
Exclusive focus on our client’s growth agenda
Extensive responsibility
Diversified teams with world class colleagues
Training academy for continuous development
Entrepreneurial environment
About the company
Business Sweden is a global consultancy organization with approximately 500 colleagues working in 46 countries. We all share the same passion - creating maximum value for Sweden.
Business Sweden’s purpose is to help Swedish companies grow global sales and international companies invest and expand in Sweden.
Through our consultancy services we offer our customers strategic advice and hands-on support in their international growth and establishment.
Business Sweden is owned by the Swedish Government and the industry, a partnership that provides access to contacts and networks at all levels.
At Business Sweden we value and encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds related to culture, gender, age, ethnicity, race, religion and belief, disability, nationality, sexual orientation and gender identity.
The diversity of our people is an important foundation of our culture and builds a workplace where everyone can contribute with unique experiences, perspectives and cultures.
OUR VALUESOur high performance culture rests on that all our employees live our core values. We will never have guidelines for every situation we will meet, but if all of us are guided by a strong sense of our values, we will always navigate in the right direction.
RESPONSIBILITYThis is the foundation of our culture. Taking responsibility is a way to show commitment to our work. We take ownership of the relationships with our clients and stay true to our word.
COLLABORATIONAlone we can do so little; together we can do so much. Collaboration knows no geographical borders. At Business Sweden, we act as one global team to create the best possible value for our clients.
IMPACTBy monitoring the world around us and identifying possibilities , we make a difference by helping companies to seize new, sustainable business opportunities. We create impact both for our clients and for Sweden.
Jan Larsson | Contact Person
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