View Vacancy - Head of Science and Innovation

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. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Science and Innovation

Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s Consulate in Los Angeles has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to join the UK’s global Science & Innovation Network (SIN) as the Head of Science & Innovation for LA and the South-West. This is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, ensuring the UK continues to be the partner of choice on science and innovation for US organisations, and catalysing research collaborations on three areas critical to UK and international prosperity and security: responsible development of emerging technologies, global health, and science and tech geared to enabling climate action.

The Prime Minister has set the goal for the UK to be a science and technology superpower by 2030, building on the UK’s scientific excellence and leading innovative edge. Collaboration with the US, our main research partner, is critical to achieving that goal. The LA-based Head of S&I is part of a network of S&I officers throughout the US co-ordinated by the British Embassy in Washington, DC. You would report directly to the network’s Deputy Director (based in San Francisco), working closely with Consulate teams (the Consul General, Deputy Consul General, Trade & Investment, and Press & Public Affairs), as well as with the SIN and Tech Policy teams across the US, to identify and create opportunities for UK science.

The core objective of this position is to represent the UK’s science and innovation interests in the LA Consulate district, which covers Southern California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Hawaii, US Pacific Territories. This region has particular strengths in space science and tech, quantum computing, and the future of transport. This role will also include a national co-ordination role, offering the opportunity for you to lead network strategy and planning on one of the three priority areas of em tech, global health and climate action.

The objectives of the UK Government’s S&I network are to:

  • Influence the science and innovation policies of US government bodies, industry and academia to benefit the UK;
  • Inform UK government policy related to science and innovation, based on international experience and emerging opportunities and challenges in the US;
  • Stimulate strategic science collaborations to benefit the UK and deliver wider policy goals;
  • Harness international technology partnerships and investment to the benefit of UK and global prosperity.

More information on the SIN team in the US can be found here.

The ideal candidate will:

  • Have proven research and analytical experience, capable of ranging across a variety of topics;
  • Demonstrate the ability to broker/catalyse partnerships and collaborations;
  • Show strong interpersonal and communication skills;
  • Be committed and enthusiastic about the role of science in policy-making, science diplomacy, and its increasing role in international affairs.

In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, and country based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the US. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

 

 

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Cultivating a strong understanding of S&I strengths across the South West in order to proactively seek and stimulate opportunities for high-value collaboration to benefit the UK; 
  • Responsibility for influencing and promoting UK interests as they pertain to a broad range of S&I sectors and topics across Southern California and the South West, with particular regard for SIN’s priority areas: emerging technologies such as next generation AI, Quantum tech, and bio engineering; climate science and cleantech; and global health;
  • Providing accurate and detailed information on policy, best practice and horizon-scanning in science, technology and innovation to inform UK stakeholders;
  • Compiling and contributing to reports and briefs for UK stakeholders, including: Senior UK scientists, learned societies, UK policy makers, Government Ministers and Parliament;
  • Managing projects, visits and events (virtual and physical) relating to science and innovation (including organising meetings and visits for Government ministers, senior Departmental officials, representatives from science/innovation funding agencies, universities);
  • Contributing to broader British Consulate-General and SIN US initiatives and programmes in support of UK interests, including the management of consular crises.

Resources managed:

Project budget: variable but circa $35K p.a.

Travel and entertainment budget: circa $15K p.a.

There is no formal line management responsibility, though there are plenty of opportunities to lead project teams, and to coach and mentor colleagues.

  • Self-starter with excellent organisational skills and a proven ability to work independently, with appropriate guidance and oversight, in a fast-paced environment;
  • Excellent writing and oral communication skills, able to produce clear, concise reports, and to present complex scientific concepts to non-expert audiences;
  • Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop a wide range of high-level contacts within academia, industry, government;
  • Reliable, positive and effective team player with a track record working in multi-site, multi-disciplinary teams and delivering results through collaboration;
  • Bachelor’s Degree in science or related field; advanced degree (Masters or PhD level) preferred;
  • Work in a science, innovation or related field;
  • Demonstrated enthusiasm for science, emerging technologies, science policy and the internationalisation of science;
  • Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. *A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas. 
  • Knowledge of UK science and innovation strengths and capabilities is a plus.

Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
10 June 2022
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Los Angeles
British Consulate General
1
USD
$72,661
11 July 2022

Learning and development opportunities:

  • The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).  
  • Opportunities for relevant training and development will be available, and tailored to the needs of the successful candidate, including opportunities to gain familiarity with the UK science and innovation ecosystem.

Working patterns:

This role is 40 hours a week, but does not require set working hours each day, enabling flexibility through the week. We are able to accommodate a varied working pattern, subject to operational demands, particularly around visits by Ministers and Senior Officials, and external events. It is important to factor in the 8-hour time difference with the UK, which does require certain meetings to be held from 8am Pacific time.

The British Embassy and its US Network embraces hybrid working, allowing its staff to typically work from home 2 or 3 times a week.  We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of team work and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.  

Applicants will not be considered without uploading a CV/Resume and covering letter. 

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed. The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.


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This opportunity is closed to applications.