View Vacancy - DXB - Science and Innovation Adviser B3(L) (maternity cover)
The British Embassy Dubai has a vacancy for a Science and Innovation Adviser to cover a period of maternity leave. This position will be for an initial six (6) month period, starting in September 2019, which may be extended for up to eight (8) months depending on when the current jobholder returns from maternity leave.
The UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) is the British Government’s organisation leading on international science diplomacy, using the UK’s excellence in science and innovation to develop partnerships and collaborations that support UK prosperity and help tackle global challenges. SIN is jointly funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with around 100 staff based in over 40 countries and territories worldwide.
The Science and Innovation Adviser must work as part of the wider SIN team, ensuring they continue to promote the UK as the best place in the world for science and innovation, particularly as we exit the European Union.
The six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain) are investing heavily in research capacity as they seek to diversify and build their knowledge based economies. In addition to Post and wider FCO objectives, the SIN Gulf Team also manage the Integrated Activity Fund (IAF) for Science, Innovation and Education for the Gulf region, and the jobholder will assume responsibility for programme delivery in the UAE, along with supporting regional activities. SIN Gulf has already identified significant opportunities for the UK research base to engage beneficially with Gulf research institutions and government departments in priority research sectors (digital economy, food security, energy, water, health, and social sciences) and is looking to further develop our engagement in the GCC.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Implement the UK Government’s science and innovation strategy for the Gulf with direct responsibility for the UAE.
- Manage planning and delivery of activities under the IAF funded Gulf, Science Innovation and Knowledge Economy Programme in the UAE, and support regional delivery of activity where required.
- Manage the UK relationship with UAE research, innovation and funding bodies.
- Report on UAE 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 the UAE’s science and innovation environment.
- Act as the first point of contact for UK Government lobbying on research, scientific, and technology policy issues.
- Work with UAE 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 required:
- Collaborating and Partnering - Creating and maintaining positive, professional, and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the organisation to help get business done. Working collaboratively, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions.
- Delivering at Pace - Focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. Working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way.
- Managing a Quality Service – Being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements. Effectively planning, organising, and managing time and activities to deliver a high quality and efficient service, applying programme and project management approaches to support service delivery.
- Engaging Internationally - Leading internationally, engaging our staff, contacts and international partners to help deliver UK Government objectives. Understanding UK Government aims in the wider UK and international context and developing productive relationships with those external contacts and partners to help deliver UK objectives. Being aware of cultural sensitivities in your area of responsibility and adapting your approach while still promoting UK values.
- BSc or BA in a relevant field
- Ability to plan strategically and to see the bigger picture.
- Ability to multi-task and have good organisational skills. Ability to respond quickly and flexibly to meet multiple and changing priorities.
- Ability to work quickly and reliably with attention to detail and with limited supervision
- Excellent interpersonal skills and able to influence and network confidently with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Team player who is capable of working on their own initiative and also working with others
- Ability to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication, in English. Ability to write and present to a high standard for a wide range of audiences.
- Strong IT computer skills – Understanding of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- A scientific background. Experience working with the research, academic, or commercial scientific community of the Gulf region, and an understanding of the UK science and innovation landscape.
- Good spoken/ written Arabic.
- Project management experience.
The Embassy aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role, including: 25 days of annual leave per annum, on-site parking, on-site swimming pool, gym, and sports facilities.
Salary is at AED 16,492 per month.
There are no other allowances payable as part of this package. No accommodation and relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position.
Conditioned working hours are 38 hours per week. Standard working hours are from 07:30 to 15:06, including a lunch break of 36 minutes, from Sunday to Thursday.
However, the successful candidate should be flexible in their approach as there may be a requirement to work outside normal working hours to support representational duties such as networking, receptions, and seminars, and during events and visits. You must also be available for occasional travel within the Gulf region and to the UK for official/ business purposes.
How to apply:
Interested candidates must include 1) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) and 2) a covering letter stating how you meet the requirements of the role. Your application must also include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above.
Applications that do not include these information will not be considered.
Closing date for applications is at 23:55 (local time) on 22 June 2019.
Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.
Process:
The recruitment process, including security clearance, is expected to take around two months.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
Due to the large number of applications we receive, only those shortlisted for the next step of the recruitment process will be contacted.
The British Embassy Dubai is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
