View Vacancy - Science and Innovation Network (SIN) Officer for Lisbon (PRT599)
The British Embassy in Lisbon 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 Network (SIN) Officer.
Against the backdrop of the UK negotiations to leave the EU, the jobholder will build and develop bilateral relationships between Portugal and UK Ministries, academic institutions and organisations with an interest in science and innovation.
In addition, the successful candidate will also contribute to a smooth EU Exit negotiation and provide insight into Portugal’s reaction to UK science-related exit objectives and to ongoing UK economic growth and prosperity and a strong future bilateral relationship by initiating mutually beneficial science and innovation collaboration between the UK and Portugal.
In more detail, main responsibilities will include:
Bilateral links
- Develop a wide range of contacts in government, business, universities and public research organisations in the UK and Portugal to support the Science and Innovation Network’s overarching objectives;
- Support Ministerial and senior official visits to Portugal relating to bilateral science and innovation issues;
- Develop, deliver and contribute to a programme of projects, visits, events and other activities aimed at facilitating collaboration in scientific areas of potential collaboration between the UK and Portugal and enhancing UK innovation capacity. Support Regional Manager and engage other country officers as necessary to aid delivery, ensure compliance and timely reporting of projects;
- Support regional leads on specific scientific themes (energy, life sciences etc) within the UK government’s Science and Innovation Network in Europe on the development and delivery of projects involving Portugal.
Reporting
- Monitor and respond to developments in science and innovation policies and programmes in Portugal. Provide timely and concise reports on key developments to UK government departments and other stakeholders;
- Maintain key contacts in Portugal informed of major UK science and innovation policy initiatives.
Influence
- In the context of Brexit, understand and interpret key Portuguese positions on the future of science collaboration to ensure key UK government departments and other UK stakeholders have the necessary knowledge to engage and influence negotiations;
- Streamline science and innovation objectives into the Embassy’s prosperity work, working closely with relevant stakeholders in the wider UK government platform in Portugal.
Corporate Responsibility
- Support the wider work in the Embassy including providing surge capacity and engaging in corporate activities.
- Excellent communication skills in both English and Portuguese (both oral and written);
- University degree;
- Basic knowledge of the Portuguese science and innovation sector;
- Ability to work independently, and as part of a team;
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build a network of contacts;
- Understand and focus on customer needs.
- Strong intercultural skills;
- Good IT skills;
- Flexibility to travel domestically, and in Europe;
- Academic background in a science subject;
- Good understanding of innovation, and the links between research and business.
This is a full-time position (35 hours net per week), initially on a two year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of renewal beyond this term, subject to a 30 days probation period.
The British Embassy in Lisbon aims to offer an attractive working environment and remuneration package for this role of € 27,861.82 per year gross annual salary paid in fourteen installments, provided that the individual in question is subject to individual income tax (IRS) in Portugal on the employment income in question or, alternatively, is subject to income tax on such income in the UK; plus a monthly meal allowance of 134.00 Euros.
All staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Portugal are subject to local Portuguese employment law as well as internal regulations in force at any given time.
The successful candidate will be subject to a professional background and security clearance and must have pre-existing work authorisation for Portugal in order to apply.
All applicants should have the right to live and work in Portugal. The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.
The Embassy will not consider applications from existing staff who have not successfully completed their probation period or, in the case of staff on temporary contract who have not yet completed two thirds of their contract.
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.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
