View Vacancy - JPN (Tokyo) - Science and Technology Officer, AO

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Science and Innovation

Main Purpose of Job:

The UK Science and Technology Network (STN) is a global network within the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. STN works to develop international partnerships in science, technology and innovation and to deploy science diplomacy in support of UK Government priorities. 
 
This role will contribute to the science and innovation portfolio of the team, contributing to the development of UK-Japan collaboration across a wide range of research fields including, life sciences, medical sciences, physical sciences, and social sciences, and the translation of this research into innovative technologies. 

The jobholder will work closely with the wider Science and Technology Team to build relationships with Japanese and British stakeholders in government, research funding agencies, research institutions and industry. The role will involve policy research and reporting, stakeholder engagement, coordination of visits and events, and administrative support to the team. 

This is a fast moving, crosscutting, strategically important area. You will help strengthen the Embassy’s understanding of Japan’s science and innovation ecosystem, support UK Government policy development, and contribute to projects and activities that promote UK-Japan collaboration. The jobholder will need to be flexible as priorities may change and will have opportunities to shape the scope of the team’s activities. 

What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve:

Research and Reporting (25%)

  • In support of the line manager, conduct research on Japan’s science and technology developments, including the strategies and policies of Japanese Government, research funding agencies, research institutes, and private sector research and development organisations.
  • Communicate your research findings effectively (through written and verbal communication) to a variety of working-level stakeholders/audiences across the Embassy and UK Government.

Events and Visits Management (25%)

  • Coordinate programmes and logistics for visits by UK Ministers, government officials, researchers, and industry representatives to Japan (and vice versa).
  • Provide full event logistics such as invitations, RSVP tracking, and coordination with colleagues across the Embassy to ensure events run smoothly. 

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management (20%)

  • Communicate regularly with UK and Japanese stakeholders from academia, industry, and government and manage the team’s engagements using digital stakeholder management tools.

Team operations and Administrative Support (20%)

  • Support the smooth day-to-day operation of the team e.g. updating forward plans, coordinating internal meetings, and ensuring team activities and deliverables are recorded and communicated effectively. 
  • Support financial management and administration of the team’s activities, including processing purchase orders and invoices, supporting budget monitoring, and maintaining financial records. 
  • Manage organisational knowledge and information effectively, including through cloud-based information management systems. 

Supporting Wider Organisational Priorities (10%)

  • Work flexibly across the Japan Network’s goals, including supporting relevant activity in our Trade and Investment, Trade Policy, and Foreign Policy workstreams.
  • Work outside of your normal duties in the event of a crisis such as a major earthquake. 
  • Volunteering for a corporate role is also encouraged.  
  • Experience of working in an international context 
  • Proven organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, delivering to deadlines
  • Strong IT skills (including standard Microsoft Office software)
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Japanese
  • Ability to research, analyse and summarise complex information clearly and concisely
  • Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility in the workplace, including the ability to respond positively to changing priorities and support a range of tasks as required

Language Requirement:

    This role requires written and spoken proficiency in both English and Japanese. Fluency (minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework*) in one language and business level (minimum of high B2) in the other.

    *Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages sets the following mastery or proficiency levels:

    • C2: Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express themself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
    • B2: Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
    • Experience of government or policy work
    • Experience of project management
    • Experience in science and/or tech policy
    • Communications or marketing experience
    Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
    15 May 2026
    Administrative Officer (AO)
    Full-time, Permanent
    37.5
    Asia Pacific
    Japan
    Tokyo
    British Embassy
    1
    JPY
    JPY 462,200
    monthly
    1 June 2026
    • 1 month salary bonus equivalents payable in June and December
      (Note: Salary may be reduced due to tax status)
    • Commuting allowance of up to JPY35,000 per month (paid on an actual cost basis)
    • 25 days paid annual leave (calculated pro rata)
    • Health Insurance and Employee pension (kenko hoken/kosei nenkin)
    • Employment Insurance (koyou hoken)

    Working Patterns:

    The British Embassy supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering. This role allows for flexible working e.g. start and end times, working compressed hours, working remotely on one day a week, and the possibility of a job share arrangement, subject to agreement with management. 

    This role will be offered pending successful reference and security checks and is subject to the appropriate permissions to work. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Tokyo is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Japan employment law.

    No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in Japan with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant. 

    Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.

    The FCDO operates an agile approach to delivery. To facilitate an agile workforce, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.

    Learning and Development Opportunities:

    The British Embassy offers comprehensive learning and development opportunities that will be fully available to the jobholder. We regularly run both work area specific training, as well as more general skills development in project management, finance, and leadership. Each year the job holder will be encouraged to use 5 development days to pursue job related and personal development goals. 
     
    All staff are required to take a role in the embassy’s crisis preparation and response. Full training will be provided for this, and regular opportunities will be available to test and develop your skills.

    Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

    Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

    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.

    Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
     
    Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

    To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate these behaviours, including through your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles Civil Service Behaviours Framework, which provides detailed guidance on how the behaviours are defined.

    Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format to prepare specific examples of when they have demonstrated these behaviours in their application. Using the STAR format to provide evidence of your skills and experience in your application and at interview helps to give a structure. You briefly describe the situation in which you showed the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.

    Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.

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    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.

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