View Vacancy - Science and Innovation Policy Adviser

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

Summary:

The role of the Science and Innovation Policy Adviser is to represent the UK’s interests in science and innovation with Washington DC policy-makers and influencers, including federal government departments and agencies, Capitol Hill, universities, policy institutes, thinktanks and foundations. The role holder will work across a range of sectors and topics – e.g. health and life sciences, robotics and AI, agri-tech, clean energy, digital economy – to track policy and research developments and identify and develop the areas of most potential for the UK. The Policy Adviser will contribute to relationship building with universities and other research facilities in DC and the Mid-Atlantic region and shape opportunities for US-UK collaboration. 


Roles & Responsibilities:

  • Promote UK science and innovation interests in the US policy and research agenda. Provide intelligence to UK government on plans and priorities. Enable and support direct UK-US government engagement. Contribute to influencing US policy to support UK’s policy interests.

  • Contribute to the DC Science and Innovation team's outreach with universities in Washington DC and the Mid-Atlantic region to identify and shape opportunities for UK-US collaboration.
  • Provide high-quality support to UK visitors (government ministers, senior departmental officials, representatives from science/innovation funding agencies and universities) and US delegations visiting the UK.
  • Contribute to broader Embassy initiatives and programmes aiming to deliver benefits for the UK.
  • Actively contribute to the delivery of the business plan for the SIN team across the US. Help shape and participate in projects to catalyse UK-US collaboration and actively contribute to development of team's pipeline of future projects.
  • Provide oversight of the US team's travel budget.

 

The Policy Adviser will report directly to the Head of the SIN Washington DC team. The exact division of responsibilities within the team will be agreed subject to the strengths, knowledge and experience of the role holder. The Policy Adviser would be expected to play a supporting role in delivering the team’s objectives, with scope to lead on specific sectors and topics.

 


 

  • Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. Master’s or other advanced degrees in scientific or technical fields a plus.
  • At least 6-8 years of experience in a science, innovation or related field, from an academic, government or corporate background. Fewer years of experience would be considered for candidates with advanced degrees or exceptional, relevant experience.
  • Excellent organisational skills and a proven ability to work independently to deliver results in an environment of multiple pressures and demands.
  • Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills and an evidenced ability to establish effective working relationships with senior figures from industry, government, academia and the science and innovation community.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills and an ability to convey complex scientific concepts to non-expert audiences.
  • A track record in working in multi-site, multi-disciplinary teams and delivering results through team work and collaboration.
  • A demonstrable enthusiasm for science, science policy and the internationalisation of science and an awareness and understanding of US science and innovation policy.


  • Knowledge and understanding of the UK and the science and innovation policy landscape would be highly desirable.
  • Budget management experience would be desirable, although training will be provided for the successful applicant.

30 April 2018
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
67,186
9 July 2018
The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes medical, dental, vision, life, long term and short term disability insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan, generous vacation and leave time, and an enriching training package.

Resume and a cover letter should be submitted by 30 April 2018. Please identify in your cover letter whether you are currently eligible to work at the Embassy. Internal candidates must inform the Head of Group before applying.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local American employment law.

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 an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or other category protected by law.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.