View Vacancy - KL - Newton Fund Strategic Manager (Newton-Ungku Omar Fund), C4 (L)

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Science and Innovation

This is an exciting opportunity to work within the UK’s Newton Fund programme (worth over £700 million) and to be part of the global 17-country Newton Fund network. The Fund strives to build partnerships between research and innovation funders, organisations and institutes, as well as between individual researchers from the UK and partner countries. Known in Malaysia as the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund, the programme supports excellent joint UK-Malaysia research and innovation with the aim of using science to support the social and economic development of Malaysia. The Newton Fund is a significant and high-profile element of the UK’s bilateral relationship with Malaysia.

We are seeking a dynamic Strategic Manager to lead our research and innovation partnership and manage the programme with Malaysia. The jobholder will have an exciting opportunity to develop and shape this partnership, working closely with UK and Malaysian ministries, agencies and research funders. The job holder will play a crucial role in helping partners collaborate to develop, launch and communicate new initiatives and activities.

This is a demanding role, requiring the jobholder to deliver outcomes in a complex and changeable environment. The jobholder will also need to demonstrate exceptional communication and negotiation abilities; regularly engaging with and winning the confidence and trust of partners in Malaysia and the UK.

As a senior staff member, the jobholder will interact regularly with the High Commissioner and Deputy, as well as other colleagues within the High Commission; and senior Malaysian government officials and academics. They must have a professional approach and confidence in dealing with other senior figures, as well as the ability to communicate in English with clarity and confidence, both in writing and in person. The role will involve some domestic and international travel and some evening working.

A one-year fixed-term contract will be offered in the first instance, renewable in subsequent years on the basis of performance and confirmation of funding.


Roles and responsibilities:

Strategic direction 

Responsibility for the overall strategy, composition and governance of the Newton Fund Programme in Malaysia (Newton-Ungku Omar Fund). This involves understanding the priorities from the UK and Malaysia, identifying mutual interests, helping both sides to develop proposals, designing the programme, and advising both sides as they agree on activities and on how they will be delivered. Monitoring government policies and spotting opportunities for engagements in science, technology, innovation and research sectors. 

Relationship management   

The job holder will need to engage with funding organisations and agencies from the UK and Malaysia, forming productive relationships with all major stakeholders to deliver the aims and objectives of the Newton Fund partnership. The job holder will also need to work effectively as a member of the wider British High Commission team, as well as the South East Asia regional Newton network. 

Programme management   

Responsibility for overseeing the implementation of established activities under the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund. Lead responsibility for tracking programme spend, management and reporting of team resources, and lead responsibility for reporting of the outcomes and impacts of the Newton-Ungku Omar Fund partnership. Oversight of work on monitoring and evaluation for programmes. 

Communication and Impact 

Responsibility for ensuring that the outcomes of the Newton Fund are communicated effectively to stakeholders. This involves using multiple avenues including Ministerial visits, high level engagement between senior officials, arranging events to profile Newton activity, written reporting and traditional and social media. Work to support high level engagement on both sides for the Newton Fund programme. 

Line Management and leadership   

Management of a Newton Fund Programme Officer in line with Foreign and Commonwealth Office best practise, ensuring that the Programme Officer delivers their objectives and has the knowledge, skills and support to perform effectively in the role. 

  • A minimum of degree-level qualification; a Master’s degree would be an advantage.
  • Minimum 3 to 5 years work experience in a project/programme management role; experience of using programme funding to deliver strategic objectives.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English and Bahasa Melayu; the ability to draft high quality written materials to short deadlines, and to present with confidence to senior stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of the science, research and innovation landscape in Malaysia, including policy and national priorities.
  • Ability to establish effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, particularly with government agencies.
  • Preferably candidates with a degree in a (but not limited to) science, technology, innovation or management background.
  • Experience working internationally and/or across cultures.
  • Experience working and maintaining relationships with government bodies, agencies and ministries.
1 January 2019
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term
36.25
12 months
Asia Pacific
Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur
British High Commission
1
MYR
MYR 7,060- 10,750 depending on experience
4 February 2018

The British High Commission offers a competitive remuneration package, benefits, leave entitlement of 20 days per annum (calculated on pro rata basis) and a range of learning and development opportunities including courses, access to significant on line training materials and on the job learning and development opportunities.

Flexible working patterns, including working from home, are possible subject to agreement with the Hiring Manager and operational needs. There may be a requirement to work non conditioned hours on occasion, including at weekends on an exceptional basis. There is a requirement for some travel (within the region and to the UK) and evening work (which tends to be phone calls with stakeholders based in the UK).

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain local work permit in Malaysia in order to apply.

Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law. 

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. 

All applications must be received before 23:55 on 01 January 2019.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

The successful candidate should be able to start as soon as possible.

Please check your application centre regularly for any update on your application. 

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.