View Vacancy - CQ - Senior Science & Innovation Officer, B3(L)

Main purpose of job:

The jobholder will be the sole Science & Innovation Network representative in South-West China (covering the Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou and Yunnan region). The jobholder will also act as lead for the Future Manufacturing sector within the Science & Innovation Network. The role will report to the Science & Innovation Consul in Shanghai and work closely with the Deputy Consul-General in the Chongqing Consulate.

The role requires a number of skills and the jobholder will need to be proactive and able to work autonomously (including through the remote line management structure). The successful candidate will have experience in/knowledge of the advanced manufacturing sector and be good at working as part of a team and in building partnerships with key stakeholders (e.g. academia, innovators, business) and colleagues in the UK government, based in both the UK and China. Tasks will include; using sector expertise and knowledge of UK and Chinese government priorities to design and deliver science and innovation projects which have impact, building relationships with key stakeholders, managing project budgets of approx £25,000, conducting research and writing reports and other communications (e.g. case studies, blogs, briefing for Ministers). The role will also support the growth of existing UK-China science partnerships in the region, including the UK-China Research and Innovation Partnership Fund and the newly established Oxford University and Sichuan University partnership on cancer research.

As such, the successful candidate should have experience in project and budget management and be able to communicate with clarity and impact with senior-level stakeholders. An understanding of the UK/Chinese science and innovation landscape and in particular of the manufacturing sector will be advantageous.

Please note the job is currently the sector lead for Future Manufacturing, although the team’s priority sectors are subject to review and there is a possibility the sector priorities could change for future years.

[The ‘Future Manufacturing’ sector includes areas where innovation is being used to improve manufacturing capability. This includes new materials (e.g. graphene), processes (e.g. 3D printing or additive manufacturing) or greater use of automation and new technologies (e.g. ‘smart manufacturing’). Future Manufacturing also includes the manufacturing of complex or high value products such as automobiles, aerospace and robotics].

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Project Management

As lead for the Future Manufacturing sector, working with others, you will use your specialist knowledge to advise on where the UK should focus its efforts to build the most productive relationships and links between the UK and Chinese manufacturing sector and to design and deliver effective projects to advance and deepen these areas of co-operation. This will include leading on the relationship between the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and China’s Ministry for Industry and Information Technology and any dialogues and exchange of information between the two sides.

Typically, projects include planning events or delegations of experts, participating in conferences (e.g. the Smart China Expo taking place in Chongqing in August) and working with industry or Chinese government to ensure maximum impact for both sides. All projects build towards UK science and innovation objectives of delivering R&D partnerships and commercial outcomes and of supporting UK science policy aims, as outlined in the UK’s newly-published International Research and Innovation Strategy.

Tasks will include identifying and building connections with key stakeholders, project planning and ensuring that projects are delivered on time and to budget whilst achieving their agreed goals. Attention to detail, strong analytical skills, good team-working skills and project management experience are required. Basic familiarity with Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint is required).

Science and Innovation lead for South-West China

As the only member of the Science and Innovation Network based within the Chongqing Consulate, the role-holder will be expected to work effectively to build synergies with other teams. They will represent the team in Heads of Sections meetings and keep the Consul-General and Deputy Consul-General informed of major activities, utilising their expertise. You may also be required to provide ad hoc support for major British government activities in the region (e.g. Ministerial visits, major events). The job holder will support the growth and expansion of UK-China science and innovation partnerships in the region, and offer advice to UK organisations looking to establish partnerships in the region.

The job holder will represent the British Government in meetings and at events, so must be fluent in English and Mandarin and confident in interacting with senior stakeholders and occasionally undertake public speaking engagements. They will build a network of science stakeholders in the region, including with government science and technology departments.

Communications and reporting

Working with the communications team and lead for science and innovation communications in Beijing to write occasional social media posts or articles (e.g. for UK government website). Advise on strategic direction, provide briefs for senior officials, report on project activities. Undertake desk research and report on activities in the region or within the manufacturing sector.

Managing finances and admin tasks

Tracking project and admin budgets throughout the year through official government project system. Accounting for all expenses on Prism system, processing invoices, working with vendors, general financial enquiries. Booking own travel and managing travel budget through FCO supplier.

• Must be fluent in English and Chinese
• Project management experience, including management of budgets
• Basic Microsoft Office skills, including Word and Excel
• Experience in the future manufacturing sector or closely related relevant experience (e.g. of UK or Chinese science and innovation systems, or in sector closely linked to future manufacturing – e.g. Information and Communications Technology, Life Sciences, etc.)
• Educated to at least degree level with at least 5 years’ work experience