View Vacancy - Head of Science, Climate and Energy - Canadian Prairies

Main purpose of job:

The British Consulate-General in Calgary is recruiting for the role of Head of Science, Climate and Energy – Canadian Prairies. The position is cover for the incumbent while they are on secondment within the UK Diplomatic network in Canada.

This is a key position within the British Consulate, responsible for many of the main delivery objectives. The successful candidate will lead on advancing the UK’s relationship with the prairies on science and innovation, climate change, and energy. The jobholder will also hold broader responsibility for clean energy science and technology issues across the whole of Canada, with a particular emphasis on deepening the UK-Canada relationships on hydrogen and CCUS.

The position will drive high-level science and innovation policy cooperation to benefit the UK, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and deepening cooperation between UK and Canadian policymakers and the science community.  This work will be underpinned by a keen understanding of the Canadian science and innovation, sustainable energy, and climate change context. They will work with the wider team on stakeholder engagement and communication, including activities such as organising visits, public events, representing the Consulate at relevant conferences and events. 

This is an exciting time to join the British Consulate given fast-changing and important developments within the area of energy and climate change. It is an excellent opportunity to undertaken a key role representing the UK government with plenty of responsibility and leadership potential. The role requires and will further develop a wide range of skills including project management, policy analysis, representational work and strategic stakeholder engagement.  Reporting to the British Consul General in Calgary and working closely with the wider Science and Innovation Network across the UK’s diplomatic missions in Canada, the candidate will work collaboratively with other policy groups within the British High Commission, British government departments, and the UK’s global diplomatic Science and Innovation Network (SIN). 

The successful candidate will be required to travel within Canada and internationally. There will be some out-of-hours work, including attendance at evening events.

The main responsibilities of the successful applicant are as follows:

• Building partnerships and collaborations – between the UK and provincial and municipal governments on science and innovation.  In particular, engaging senior and influential stakeholders in government, academia, non-profits and industry to deliver high-impact projects, partnerships and commercial wins for the UK.  This is anticipated to be the primary focus of work. Identify and deliver opportunities to pursue UK-Canada objectives in science, innovation, energy and climate.
• Deepening policy exchange – encouraging deeper policy relationships between the UK and the prairies on science, innovation and climate policy. Advocate UK COP26 and wider climate policy objectives with relevant jurisdictions across the prairies.
• Deliver science and innovation programmes and projects – Identify, develop, and deliver projects that support UK government objectives in Canada, including strengthening ties in science and innovation collaboration. Most immediately, organising a visit on hydrogen to the UK by a senior delegation from Canada.
• Policy analysis and advocacy – Provide analysis of key policy developments in the prairies and in the UK. Utilise analysis in support of furthering UK government priorities within the prairies. Advocate existing and new UK strategies that require international engagement and collaboration, such as the UK Net Zero Strategy.  Support other SIN officer’s relationships with stakeholders in the Prairies (AI, Quantum, Critical Minerals, etc.)
• Cultivate and maintain high quality working relationships with key contacts – develop a deep network of contacts in the economic, science and innovation community including government, NGOs, think-tanks and universities that can deepen UK objectives in science and innovation.  Develop and implement an external stakeholder engagement strategy. This will include stakeholder identification, event organisation, and meeting facilitation.
• Support UK Trade and Investment – work in collaboration with trade and investment promotion leads in the consulate on clean energy to drive UK economic growth, investment and job creation. 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

The successful candidate will be responsible for utilising programme funding in support of deepening science and innovation collaboration, specifically in relation to funding for an expert mission to the UK on hydrogen.

Essential on arrival: 

• Bachelor’s degree with 3+ years professional experience in public policy, economics, engineering, or science. Masters degree or equivalent experience would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the science and innovation ecosystem in Alberta and Canada, particularly in relation to clean energy and/or climate issues.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with ability to interact effectively with senior government officials, business leaders, scientists, and the public.
• Proven ability to work independently, multitask, and feel at ease networking at mid- to senior-level.
• Excellent presentation skills with ability to produce clear, concise written reports and a knack for talking to range of expert and non-subject expert audiences.