Overview
The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.
The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require. Job Category: Department for Business and Trade roles (DBT). Job Subcategory: Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
View Vacancy - Senior Investment Officer – Financial Services, Department for Business and Trade, Berne | CHEB25.418
Responsibilities
Senior Investment Officer to work within the Financial Services Team, at the Department for Business and Trade Department in Berne. You will:
* Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) – 30%
o Act as the sector lead for financial services, driving the delivery of high-quality FDI projects into the UK. Ensure alignment with Switzerland’s Country Trade Plan and DBT Europe’s Regional Trade Plan, working closely with the Head of Investment and the Country Director.
* Capital Investment – 30%
o Lead the Capital Investment focus, managing delivery of high-value investment projects into the UK and build relationship with selected institutional investors locally. Collaborate with the Head of Investment and Country Director to ensure consistency with Switzerland’s Country Trade Plan and DBT Europe’s Regional Trade Plan.
* Strategic Relationship Management – 20%
o Build and maintain a strong network of influential financial services and capital investment stakeholders in Switzerland. Support senior official engagement with key decision-makers and stakeholders. Use your organisational skills to manage strategic engagement tools and respond promptly to stakeholder queries.
* Visits and High-Level Meetings – 10%
o Play a pivotal role in supporting VIP visits and engagements involving Ministers and senior UK Government officials focused on financial services in Switzerland. Help design and deliver impactful programmes, site visits, announcements, and associated communications for a global audience.
* Wider Embassy Support – 10%
o Contribute to cross-HMG and cross-Embassy activities, working collaboratively with relevant teams across the UK Government and the Embassy to achieve shared objectives.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
* Knowledge and understanding of the Swiss business environment (particularly the Financial services sector);
* Fluent written and spoken English as well as German/French (minimum level required C1 under the CEFRL* or equivalent);
* Experienced networker with the ability to establish relationships in Switzerland & Liechtenstein;
* Fast learning, self-starter who can demonstrate initiative, resilience, and project management skills;
* Good communicator, written and verbal;
* A team player with a collaborative approach who can work successfully within a geography and ‘virtual team’ to achieve common objectives.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
* Enterprising business track record;
* An understanding of FDI/CI and trade policy topics;
* Experience of working in an international trade promotion environment;
* Demonstrated ability to engage and collaborate with senior stakeholders;
* Analytical skills acquired in an international market context with a consultative sales approach to achieving results.
Required behaviours
* Communicating and Influencing
* Delivering at Pace
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Working Together
Details
* Deadline: 25 January 2026
* Grade: Executive Officer (EO)
* Type of Position: Full-time, Permanent
* Working hours per week: 40 hours/week gross
* Region: Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
* Country/Territory: Switzerland
* Location: Berne
* Type of Post: British Embassy
* Number of vacancies: 1
* Salary Currency: CHF
* Monthly: 8,652.00 CHF (gross)
* Start Date: 1 March 2026
Other information
This is a full-time and permanent contract of 40 hours per week inclusive of four compulsory 45-minute lunch breaks. There is a 3-month probationary period, during which either party may bring the agreement to an end, in writing with 7 days’ notice.
The Embassy operates flexible working patterns within an extended working day and a ‘compressed hours’ working week (currently closing at 13:00 Friday). Working from home for one or two days a week is possible, depending on business needs. Typical hours are 09:00 – 18:00 with a compulsory paid lunch break of 45 minutes (Mon-Thurs), but staff can start earlier/later and finish earlier/later.
Gross monthly salary is CHF 8,652.00. The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year, increasing to 30 days over 5 years, and the Embassy also enjoys 13 Swiss/ UK public holidays per year.
The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearances before a contract is offered.
FCDO is committed to continual learning and development. The Embassy will provide funding in line with L&D requirements and a variety of learning and development is provided throughout the year both directly at post and virtually through the FCDO International Academy. There will be opportunities to attend training, lectures etc. on the job.
Visa/work permit requirements: The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation for Switzerland in order to apply. All applicants should have the right to live and work in Switzerland.
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. FCDO want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.
Additional information
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered. The deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
The British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
*Please note for more information regarding the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.
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