View Vacancy - Science and Innovation Adviser, UK Science and Innovation Network

The British Embassy in Bahrain is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual for the position of Science and Innovation Adviser, Grade – B3 (L).

Purpose of the job:

The UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) is the British Government’s organisation for international science diplomacy. It is jointly funded by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). SIN has 90+ staff based in around 40 countries and territories worldwide. The six countries of the GCC (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE) are investing heavily in research capacity as they seek to diversify and build their knowledge based economies. The regional SIN (Gulf) Network facilitates the development of new bilateral and multilateral science and innovation partnerships. It seeks to leverage UK and regional research funds to tackle pressing global challenges. SIN (Gulf) has identified significant opportunities for the UK research base to engage beneficially with Gulf research institutions in priority research sectors. The British Embassy, Bahrain invites applications to join the SIN (Gulf) Network from January 2019 on a fixed term contract until end of March, 2020. The successful candidate will be part of the wider SIN Gulf team.

Main Responsibilities:

• Implement the UK Government’s science and innovation strategy for the Gulf with direct responsibility for the Kingdom of Bahrain
• Manage the UK relationship with Bahrain research, innovation and funding bodies.
• Report on Bahrain trends, policy and funding in the areas of research, science and innovation.
• Provide support to senior UK Government staff and the UK research base regarding Bahrain’s science and innovation environment; Support VIP visits.
• Act as the first point of contact for UK Government lobbying on research, scientific and technology policy issues.
• Work with Bahraini partners on the development of common science and innovation policies.
• Develop high quality and sustainable science and innovation partnerships that focus on UK and Gulf priorities.
• Work with UK partners - UK Department for International Trade (DIT), Prosperity, British Council and others to deliver wider UK prosperity objectives.
• Develop and maintain a network of senior level contacts across the UK and Gulf research landscape.
• Leverage Gulf research funds to tackle pressing global challenges.

Key Competencies and Required Skills:

• Collaborating and Partnering - People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.
• Delivering at Pace - Delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.
• Managing a Quality Service - Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements.
• Engaging Internationally - Effectiveness in this area is about leading internationally, engaging our staff, contacts and international partners to help deliver UK Government objectives, while living the Civil Service values and serving the UK public.

Essential:

·Fluent communication skills in English language (both written and spoken)

·BSc, BA or BEng in a relevant field

·The ability to plan strategically and to see the bigger picture.

·The ability to deliver results under pressure.

·The ability to work quickly and reliably with attention to detail and with limited supervision

·The ability to initiate and maintain a wide range of working relationships.

·The ability to work as part of a larger team.

·Good presentation, interpersonal and representational skills.

·Strong organisational skills.

·Strong IT computer skills – Understanding of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.