View Vacancy - Newton Fund Programme Officer

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

The British Embassy in Amman is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual for the position of Newton Fund Programme Officer, Grade – C4 (L).

 

Purpose of the job:

The British Embassy in Amman is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Newton Fund Programme Officer to work on the Newton Fund for Jordan. The Newton Fund is a dedicated £750 Million fund with the central purpose to deepen and widen the UK’s science and innovation collaboration with Jordan, to drive economic growth, social development and poverty reduction.

We seek an energetic, strategic professional who understands science/innovation in a UK and Jordanian context and who has the credibility to work with senior stakeholders.

 

Main Responsibilities:

• Strategy (10%):  Shape the UK’s science and innovation agenda in Jordan for the next four years.  Define a proactive strategy for engaging with Jordanian policymakers and scientific institutions, at government levels. Ensure this is aligned with the high-level policy priorities of Jordan and the UK over this period, adjusted according to changes in political environments.

• Programme delivery (70%):  Develop a long-term portfolio of sustainable and match-funded activity via the Newton Fund, worth up to £1m per year. Work closely with UK and Jordanian delivery partners to develop broad cooperation in new, experimental areas; and that research is driving through to new products and policies in established areas. Focus on particular areas of UK interest/expertise, such as the commercialization of science, knowledge transfer, industry-academia-society linkages, and cutting edge research. Ensure rigorous financial management and monitoring and evaluation of the portfolio including impact data gathering.

• Representation/network (10%):  Engage regularly and proactively with a wide range of high-level contacts in the Jordanian public, academic and private sectors. Also ensure strong networks with other parts of the British Embassy (e.g. Department for International Development); the British Council; UK Government Departments; and with the UK Research Councils.  Match-make across the region (Egypt, Turkey, Israel) converting opportunities into formal agreements between institutions to deliver high-impact, visible bilateral cooperation. Ensure portfolio successes are highlighted and communicated both in Jordan and the UK.

• Policy (10%):  Use a deep knowledge of science and innovation to influence UK and Jordanian Government science policy, to magnify the impact of the Newton Fund. Advise the Ambassador on his senior science contacts. Keep abreast of science policy developments, ensuring that UK and Jordanian positions are close and coherent and supporting a strong scientific ecosystem in both countries. Regularly report back to UK Government Departments in London on the evolving science policy framework in Jordan.

 

Key Competencies and Required Skills:

• Seeing the Big Picture - Seeing the big picture is about having an in-depth understanding and knowledge of how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives and the wider public needs.

• Leading and Communicating - Effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about establishing a strong direction and a persuasive future vision; and managing and engaging with people with honesty and integrity.

• Collaborating and Partnering - People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done.

• Engaging Internationally - Effectiveness in this area is about leading internationally, engaging our staff, contacts and international partners to help deliver UK Government objectives. Understanding UK Government aims in the wider UK and international context and developing productive relationships with those external contacts and partners to help deliver UK objectives.

• Fluent oral and written English and Arabic
• Educated to Degree level or above in the fields of Public Policy, International Relations or Science related subjects.
• Knowledge of UK and/or Jordanian science and innovation institutions and current issues in science and innovation.
• Be a self starter, able to negotiate match-funded projects.
• Be a flexible and creative problem-solver, able to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems, and create coherent and compelling programmes and projects
• Be resilient and resourceful: you will need to provide direction on this agenda against an evolving backdrop.

• Experience of working on programmes or projects with an international dimension in public, academic or private sectors
• Knowledge of the economy in Jordan.

4 June 2017
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Fixed Term
37
Middle East & North Africa
Jordan
Amman
British Embassy
1
JOD
2327
1 July 2017

Working Hours and Remuneration:

The position is full-time, at 37 hours a week with considerations of flexibility depending on circumstances.

Pay is on the Embassy C4 (L) scale, starting at JOD 2327 per month depending on the candidate’s skills and experience. The package includes a good level of health insurance and a friendly, English-speaking work environment. We offer opportunities to develop professional skills through our Learning & Development offer. Leave entitlement is 28 days (pro rated) plus 14 public holidays.

 

Eligibility:

If you are selected for this position, we will be able to employ you as long as you:

• Receive the appropriate level of standard security clearance;

• All applicants should have the right to live and work in Jordan. The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.

To Apply:

Interested candidates must attach the following documents when applying online.

1. A covering letter.

2. An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV).

** (Your application must include examples of when you have demonstrated the competencies outlined above in the cover letter or motivation section in the application form. Applications that do not include this information will be rejected).

 

The closing date for applications is 4 June 2017.

 

Applications received after the stated deadline will not be considered.

Due to the large amount of applications we receive only those shortlisted for assessment will be contacted.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures.  Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local labour law.

The British Embassy Amman is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.

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.