View Vacancy - Science and Innovation Network (SIN) Officer for Brussels (BEL598)

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 Belgium is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Science and Innovation Officer.

This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in an exciting, busy and cross cutting team in the heart of the UK’s Europe network. The jobholder will build and develop bilateral relationships between Belgium and UK ministries, academic institutions and organisations with an interest in science and innovation, initiate science and innovation collaboration between the UK and Belgium and provide insight into Belgium’s position on UK science objectives.

Main responsibilities will include:

  • Monitoring and responding to developments in science and innovation policies and programmes in Belgium, providing timely and concise reporting to UK government departments and other stakeholders;
  • In the context of the UK’s EU exit, understanding and interpreting key Belgian stakeholder positions on the future of science collaboration to ensure UK Government and other stakeholders have the data to engage on negotiations;
  • Supporting UK ministerial and senior official science and innovation visits to Belgium;
  • Developing and delivering a programme of projects, visits, events and other activities aimed at facilitating collaboration in key areas between the UK and Belgium, including in nuclear, space and life sciences, and enhancing UK innovation capacity;
  • Supporting the UK Science and Innovation Network on the development and delivery of Europe-wide S&I projects; 
  • Working closely with the UK Representation to the EU on UK participation in ongoing EU research projects.

The jobholder will be required to develop a wide range of contacts in government, business, universities and public research organisations in the UK and Belgium to support the UK Science and Innovation Network’s objectives.  The jobholder will also be required to support the wider work of the Embassy, including providing surge capacity during busy periods and engaging in corporate activities.

  • Excellent communication skills in English (both oral and written);
  • Excellent communication skills in French and/or Dutch;
  • University degree OR 3 years of relevant work experience in Sciences or applicable subject;
  • A self-starter, with the ability to organise self and work effectively;
  • The ability to work effectively and supportively on shared objectives with colleagues;
  • Networking skills;
  • The ability to understand and focus on customer needs.
  • Strong intercultural skills;
  • Good IT skills.
3 January 2018
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time
36.25
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
Brussels
British Embassy
EUR
3,681.33 gross
15 February 2018

This is a permanent full-time contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week. Although the appointment is for an indefinite period of time, it is expected that the overall period of service will most probably not exceed two years. This point will be addressed during the recruitment process.

The monthly gross salary for this position is € 3,681.33 B3 (L) level (The British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium salaries are not subject to annual indexation).

Please note that Belgian nationals will be paid their salary gross and are expected to comply with their tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Belgian authorities. Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Belgian tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.

The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.

Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.

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.

Please be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

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.