View Vacancy - Science and Innovation Officer

The British Embassy, Doha has a vacancy for a Science and Innovation Officer, Grade A2 (L).

Main Purpose of the Job:

The UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) is the British Government’s organisation for international science diplomacy, using the UK’s excellence in science and innovation to develop partnerships and collaborations that support UK prosperity and that help tackle global challenges. SIN is jointly funded by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with around 100 staff based in over 40 countries and territories worldwide including the SIN Gulf team, led from Doha. The Science and Innovation Adviser must work as part of the greater SIN team to ensuring they continue to promote the UK as the best places in the world for science and innovation, particularly as we exit the European Union.

The six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC: Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain) are investing heavily in research capacity as they seek to diversify and build their knowledge based economies. In addition to post and wider FCO objectives, the SIN Gulf Team will also support delivery of the £9m Integrated Activity Fund for Science, Innovation and Knowledge Economy for the Gulf region where it aligns to wider SIN priorities. SIN will further support the IAF and wider UK priorities for science and innovation by facilitating the development of new bilateral and multilateral science and innovation partnerships, as well as seeking to leverage UK and regional research funds to tackle pressing global challenges. SIN Gulf has already identified significant opportunities for the UK research base to engage beneficially with Gulf research institutions in priority research sectors (energy, water, health, digital economy and social sciences) and is looking to extend its coverage in the region and with UK institutes and businesses.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Support the Head of SIN Gulf in the implementation the UK Government’s science and innovation strategy for the Gulf in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, but also working closely with collaboratively with SIN colleagues in the UAE and Saudi Arabia:

• Organise SIN visits to UK to develop relationships with UK universities and research institutions;

• Support the organisation of symposia, workshops and bilateral events, in both the Gulf countries and the UK;

• Work alongside British partners such as the British Council, DIT, BEIS, Department of Health and UUKi, to develop high quality and sustainable science and innovation partnerships within the scope of British expertise, as they relate to Gulf priorities;

2. Support the Head of SIN Gulf in managing key stakeholder relationships with Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman research, innovation and funding bodies.

3. Develop and maintain a network of contacts across the UK and Gulf research landscape.

4. Financial and Communications support for SIN Gulf, including:

• Forecast and monitor expenses using Excel and Hyperion;

• Support VIP visits, organise logistics for visits by UK delegations and by Gulf delegations to the UK;

• Manage SIN diary including local and regional events/planning;

• Research and maintain Gulf Communications: SIN Global Calendar, SIN Gulf Twitter, case studies, country snapshots, blog and commissions.

Key Competencies:

• 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.

• 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.

• Managing a Quality Service - Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements.

• Delivering at Pace - Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes.

• The ability to plan strategically and to see the bigger picture.

• The ability to work quickly, reliably and with attention to detail.

• The ability to initiate and maintain a wide range of working relationships.

• The ability to work as part of a larger team.

• Good presentation, interpersonal and representational skills.

• Strong organisational skills.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

• IT computer skills - Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Office.