View Vacancy - Science and Innovation Officer (BEL22.338)
Our daily work relies on the input of dedicated individuals who engage on many different topics and activities. We seek to employ a diverse range of candidates who bring their own talents and perspectives to the role. We have a strong corporate agenda that ensures we create a positive and inclusive working environment where everyone is valued for their contribution.
The British Embassy in Brussels is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic, consular and prosperity interests overseas and is now looking for a Science and Innovation (SIN) Officer in Belgium. The applicant should be able to start work in approximately October 2022.
The SIN Officer will support the delivery of the UK Government’s Science & Innovation priorities in Belgium, with a particular focus on health and life sciences, climate and energy science, and critical and emerging technologies. Belgium has a thriving science and innovation landscape with world-class research institutions and particular strengths in the life sciences, pharmaceuticals and biotech, as well as in the fields of sustainable energy and digital and emerging technologies. We are looking for someone who has a good understanding of and strong interest in the Belgian or international science and innovation landscape and who is able to identify and spot opportunities to drive forward UK and Belgian collaboration in these areas.
The jobholder will be expected to get to grips quickly with UK science, technology and innovation policy and objectives, in order to be able to explain and project UK science excellence and leadership in Belgium, and facilitate dialogue on shared priorities such as diversity in science. They will part of the SIN Europe network, a welcoming and expert team, and will work closely with SIN managers based in Paris and The Hague.
The jobholder will sit within the Political and Public Diplomacy (PPD) team in the Embassy, which engages the Government of Belgium and provides reporting, analysis and external communications to support a range of UK interests in Belgium, including economic, security, climate change and foreign policy. The jobholder will also work closely with the Embassy’s trade and investment team. As such this is an exciting opportunity to support the UK’s ambitious agenda in Belgium, at a fascinating time following the UK’s departure from the EU.
Information on the UK’s Science and Innovation Network
The UK is a global leader in science and innovation. International collaboration is essential to maintaining the excellence of the UK’s research base. The UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) has approximately 100 officers in over 40 countries/territories around the world, engaging with the local science and innovation community in support of UK policy overseas and creating strategic relationships to build partnerships and collaborations on science and innovation.
The work of the UK S&I Network is guided by the following objectives:
- Projecting UK science, technology and innovation excellence and leadership globally
- Actively building and facilitating science, technology and innovation collaborations of value to the UK
- Providing insight and intelligence on emerging issues, opportunities and developments
The network focusses on the three main thematic areas of science and innovation:
- Critical and emerging technologies
- Climate and environment
- Global health and life sciences
More information on the UK Science & Innovation Network is available at UK Science and Innovation Network - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Roles and responsibilities:
- Leading on delivery of SIN network/Embassy priorities on health and life sciences, climate and energy science and critical and emerging technologies in Belgium, pro-actively monitoring and reporting key Belgian developments, identifying and driving forward opportunities for UK-Belgian collaboration, (working with relevant leads from PPD/trade and investment team) and building and maintaining a network of key contacts in these areas.
- Pro-actively monitoring, reporting and researching key developments in wider Belgian science and innovation policies, programmes and investments.
- Conducting independent research in response to requests from UK stakeholders for concise reports on specific aspects of science and innovation policies, programmes and strengths in Belgium.
- Understanding and explaining UK science, technology and innovation policies and objectives to Belgian contacts, projecting UK science excellence and global leadership.
- Managing a network of contacts in government, research organisations and universities in the UK and Belgium to support SIN and Embassy objectives
- Leading a programme of projects, visits, events and other activities aimed at facilitating scientific and innovation collaboration between the UK and Belgium and enhancing visibility of the UK’s science excellence and innovation capability.
- Supporting the British Ambassador, ministerial and other senior official engagement in Belgium on science and innovation issues, through identifying high-level contacts, coordinating programmes and providing relevant briefing.
- Leading on the development and delivery of the SIN Business Plan for Belgium.
- Working collaboratively across the team to share expertise and contribute to the delivery of Embassy priorities, including crisis response and the corporate agenda.
The job description is subject to change and may evolve over time in response to changing circumstances (such as external events or political priorities). The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times.
The job of an Embassy is to understand the country it operates in. The job-holder may be required to travel to different parts of Belgium to engage with interlocutors as necessary. We encourage our staff to share their expertise and insights on Belgium, particularly across the areas on which the Embassy focusses, in order to deepen our understanding and promote a culture of learning.
- Fluency in English and either French or Dutch (written and spoken, minimum of C level all languages according to CEFR framework*);
- A minimum of a university degree and/or some prior relevant experience in science or technology;
- A good understanding of and/or strong interest in the Belgian science, research and innovation landscape;
- Flexibility, self-starter, strong self-management, and time management skills;
- Ability to work independently, as well as part of an international team;
- Strong inter-personal and communication (oral and written) skills;
- Ability to multi-task, plan ahead, and prioritise;
- Ability to produce concise, timely and thorough reporting upon request;
- Ability to manage and engage a network of stakeholders in both the UK and Belgium;
- Working knowledge of MS Office applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
- A good understanding of the UK’s science, research and innovation landscape;
- A demonstrated interest or experience in health and life sciences, emerging technologies and/or climate change and environment policy and research;
- Excellent project management skills;
- As well as advanced French or Dutch, a good working knowledge of the other language.
This is a full-time permanent contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week. The monthly gross salary for this position is € 4,593.07, EO level. In addition, we offer an extensive salary package, which includes a 13th month, luncheon vouchers, pension scheme, optional hospitalisation insurance (subject to monthly employee contribution), reimbursement of public transport and a lot more. We offer more days of annual leave than the Belgian requirements.
Please note that Belgian nationals will be paid their salary gross and are expected to comply with their tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Belgian authorities. Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Belgian tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.
Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.
The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.
Passport: officers are expected to be in possession of a passport due to the possibility that they may be asked to undertake business travel.
Visa/work permit requirements: candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Belgium and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The British Embassy Brussels offers a large range of Learning and Development opportunities. These include formal learning opportunities through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office International Academy, expert-talks to build knowledge on key areas relating to Belgium and wider international relations, and on-the-job learning. All staff have the opportunity to design a personal development plan, and are supported to access appropriate activities to meet development goals.
Please note, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.
Please be advised that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
