View Vacancy - BK - Science and Innovation Officer, HEO
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
To promote effective science and innovation collaboration between the UK and Thailand, which drives UK prosperity, supports the UK’s science strengths, and opens up future potential leading to science investment in the UK and opportunities for our businesses. To deliver strong Government- Government collaboration on science, technology and innovation, drawing in research funders, policymakers, and innovation agencies on both sides of the relationship. To promote the UK’s science policy objectives and lead the UK’s science and technology diplomacy with Thailand. Outcomes will build on the existing strong partnership between the two countries and may include joint research programmes, new academic partnerships, and new commercial opportunities for the UK.
The British Embassy Bangkok is a large diplomatic mission of around 140 staff delivering a dynamic and rapidly expanding programme of activity in support of the UK’s objectives including on prosperity, trade, security, open societies, consular services and law enforcement. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team.
This position within the Embassy is part of the UK’s global Science and Innovation Network, jointly owned by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The three priority themes for the Science and Innovation Network’s work are critical and emerging technologies; global health; and climate and environment.
The successful candidate will lead the British Embassy Bangkok’s science and innovation (S&I) work in Thailand. You will lead the local relationship with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and its agencies. You will be responsible for identifying and facilitating opportunities for greater collaboration between the UK and Thai science and innovation sectors. You will be the key contact point in the Embassy for science and innovation-related enquiries and information requests from Whitehall government departments, their agencies and UK research organisations.
A central part of your work will be to facilitate relationships and information exchange between the UK and Thai research and innovation systems. You will work closely with colleagues across the UK’s network in Thailand to add value to their work and help deliver the UK government’s wider policy goals. For example, this may include engaging your academic and government network to support the UK’s work on sustainable development on health or climate change; working with the embassy communications team to promote the UK’s world-leading science, technology and innovation capability, and opportunities to engage and collaborate with it; or working with the Digital Trade Network to alert colleagues to innovative companies and emerging technologies with commercial potential.
As part of the British Embassy team, you will also contribute to wider work at times of pressure such as visits by UK ministers and senior officials or crises. You will have opportunities to initiate and deliver projects in support of UK government policy priorities and provide science and innovation input to support the wider work of the Embassy. This opportunity comes at an exciting time as both countries look to science and innovation to drive the economic recovery from the pandemic.
Core Responsibilities Will Include:
- Establishing strong relationships with key stakeholders in government, academia and industry to develop advice and analysis on policy, trends and other developments in Thailand and their implications for the UK, and facilitate sustainable knowledge exchange.
- Sustaining the impact and success of the UK’s Newton Fund and Global Challenges Research Fund which have operated in Thailand, including through supporting existing and facilitating the development of new partnerships between UK and Thai actors in preparation of a new international collaboration fund.
- Designing, bidding for, implementing and monitoring programmes, projects and events that deliver UK science and innovation objectives. This will be central to the role, with elements of project management key.
- As part of the Southeast Asia science network and wider APAC SIN team, identifying opportunities to engage in regional activities in strategic priority areas.
- Providing insights and reporting to the UK government on emerging issues, opportunities and developments to inform and shape UK policy, and responding in a timely manner to requests for information, introductions and briefing for meetings and visits from UK government departments and their agencies.
- Organise visits by senior UK government and non-government representatives, deploying them strategically to deliver UK prosperity and security objectives in Thailand.
- Where relevant, lobby the Thai Government to secure support for related policy objectives on issues considered by multilateral organisations.
- Supporting the UK’s global science and innovation campaigns.
The jobholder will be a member of the Prosperity Team. As a team, and as an organisation, we put respect and kindness first. We are inclusive, we get to know each other, and value our diversity and the contribution we each bring. We are fair, act with integrity, and tackle inequality and unacceptable behaviour. We work together and take responsibility to solve problems. We value ambition, but also being supportive of one another.
We believe work-life balance is important: the jobholder will be able to work flexibly as detailed below and should expect to work extended hours only very rarely. We are therefore seeking out candidates who reflect these values: who are enthusiastic, proactive but also supportive of others.
While the work will focus on Thailand, the jobholder will also work with other British embassies and missions across ASEAN on the ASEAN-wide economic reform projects. In future, post-pandemic, there may be opportunities for travel to the UK and other ASEAN countries.
RESOURCES MANAGED:
- The job-holder will have the opportunity to bid for and manage programme funds to run projects in support of UK objectives in Thailand. There is the potential to access large amounts of funding, though the projects themselves will be implemented by delivery partner organisations who will do th daily management.
- Experience of the Thai science policy or research & innovation ecosystem, institutions and priorities and an understanding of the role that research and innovation plays in international policy, trade and business.
- Relevant university degree
- At least three years relevant professional experience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong stakeholder management skills/experience
- Project / programme management experience
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:
- Language : English, Thai
- Level of Language Required : Fluent - written & spoken
- Experience of working with the UK research and innovation ecosystem
The British Embassy offers a competitive remuneration package, including salary (will be abated for those not liable to tax), benefits, a leave entitlement, Health Insurance and comprehensive development programme based upon business need and individual staff requirements.
LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The British Embassy Bangkok encourages all staff to develop their capabilities, through both formal training (courses) and informal (job-shadowing, coaching, on-the-job training etc). The majority of our formal L&D opportunities are drawn from FCO resources. All staff are encouraged to share their skills and experience with colleagues, through informal training (‘lunch & learn’) or coaching/mentoring. All staff are eligible for 5 L&D days a year. As stated above, you will be required to complete the trade modules of the Diplomatic Academy upon arrival into the position.
WORKING PATTERNS
This is a permanent, full time role - 36 hours/week, Monday to Friday. We are currently piloting hybrid working (some time working in the office, some time working from home) as we transition back to normal working practices, while ensuring the health and safety of our staff. You will be expected to spend some time out of the office, engaging with partners and stakeholders; some time in the office; and will be able to have the flexibility to work from home. If the context of the pandemic changes, the proportion of time spent at home / in office / in external engagements may change.
The Mission has a smarter working policy and is committed to offering flexible working patterns balanced with the operational requirements of the role. In crisis/emergency situations you may need to work as required to support the Mission response, sometimes on a shift pattern working which may result in unsociable hours and/or weekend working.
As an inclusive employer we are happy to discuss alternative working patterns at interview or at the point of any job offer.
OTHER CONDITIONS:
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain correct permit to work or work authorisation in Thailand in order to apply. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Embassy salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”. Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.
Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time
Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.
To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.
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, 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.
In terms of peak operation demand, work flexibly within the Section and within the Embassy
All staff will be expected to make a corporate contribution to the smooth running of the British Embassy either through a committee membership or another voluntary role to support the vision and values of the Embassy as outlined below.
BRITISH EMBASSY BANGKOK'S VISION & VALUES:
VISION: What do we want to build?
A better, safer, more prosperous world for Britons and Thais alike.
MISSION: How will we achieve this?
By championing UK values and delivering tangible benefits to individuals, businesses and society: through quality service, effective partnerships and local expertise.
VALUES:
- Collaboration We support each other and are inclusive
We work closely with others to deliver
- Empowerment We are innovative and adaptive
We achieve a healthy work-life balance, taking advantage of hybrid working
- Expertise We build on and champion our diverse skills and expertise
We draw on data, technology and evidence
- Respect We build trust and value differences
We invite and appreciate other perspectives
- Impact We take a strategic approach
We prioritise and are all clear on expectations
Please note that it is likely that any non-Thai national who is successful in securing a role within the Embassy will need to leave the country and re-enter with a specfic type of visa if currently living in Thailand or will need to apply for a visa before travelling here if currently based outside of Thailand. Whilst the Embassy can support you with this process, the costs involved will need to be met by the candidate
This opportunity is closed to applications.
