View Vacancy - Science and Innovation Officer (SVK19.579)

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

The British Embassy in Bratislava is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Science and Innovation Network (SIN) Officer. The main purpose of the job is to develop bilateral relationships and innovative collaboration between Slovak and UK Ministries, academic institutions and organisations with an interest in science and innovation. You will provide information and insight into Slovakia’s reactions to science elements of our Brexit objectives, which will both contribute to ongoing UK economic objectives and a strong future bilateral relationship with Slovakia. You will use your expertise to develop and deliver the SIN strategy for Slovakia.

Roles and Responsibilities: 

Bilateral

In the context of Brexit, you will understand and interpret key Slovak stakeholder positions on the future of science, research and higher education collaboration to ensure UK Government departments and other UK stakeholders have the information to engage and influence their Slovak counterparts.

You will identify opportunities for, and then facilitate the delivery of, science and innovation focused projects involving Slovak and UK researchers; effectively ‘match-making’ institutions in both countries. You will monitor and respond to developments in science and innovation policies and programmes in Slovakia as well as Slovakia’s positions in relation to the EU and other European groupings. You will provide timely and concise reports on key developments to UK government departments and other stakeholders. You will support Ministerial and senior official visits to Slovakia relating to science and innovation issues.  

Thematic, cross-cutting and programme delivery

You will develop and deliver a rolling programme of projects, visits, events and other activities which facilitate collaboration between the UK and Slovakia in priority areas (including in the ICT, pharma, engineering and cyber sectors) and enhance UK innovation and start-up capacity. You will work with teams across the embassy, support the Regional Manager and work with other science and innovation officers across our regional network to aid delivery of objectives.

Influence

You will develop a wide range of contacts across central and regional government, business, universities and public research organisations in the UK and Slovakia to support the SIN Central & Eastern Europe team’s overarching objectives. You will use this network to identify opportunities for collaboration, and to influence policy making and negotiations. 

Corporate Responsibility

You will support the wider work in the Embassy including providing surge capacity, especially in a crisis scenario, and engaging in corporate activities.

  • Master’s degree, or equivalent.
  • 2-3 years’ work experience.
  • Enthusiastic about science and knowledgeable about Slovakia’s science and innovation sector.
  • Good understanding of innovation, and links between business and research.
  • A solid understanding of policy making and how governments and the EU work.
  • A self-starter, with the ability to organise themselves, work effectively and identify links across portfolios.
  • Ability to plan towards long-term goals.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; confidence in dealing with senior contacts and colleagues, and in handling customers.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.  You will be part of a ‘matrix’ team, with colleagues based across the region, and your management chain not just in Slovakia.
  • Fluent oral and written English and Slovak.
  • Good IT skills.
  • Degree preferably in a science or engineering subject.
  • Flexibility to travel domestically and internationally.
  • Knowledge of science environment in Slovakia and also of pharma, ICT, engineering, start-up and cyber sectors. 

27 November 2019
Executive Officer (EO)
Part-Time, Temporary
18.25
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Slovakia
Bratislava
British Embassy
1
EUR
936
13 January 2020

This is a part-time, temporary position of 18.25 hours per week until the end of March 2021, with a probation period of 3 months.

The monthly salary for this position is € 936 gross.

The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Slovakia are subject to terms and conditions of service according to Slovak Labour Law.

Visa / Passport requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Slovakia and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Additional requirements may become necessary pending EU Exit. If requirements change additional eligibility information will be shared during the recruitment process.

Please note 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.

FCO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

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.