View Vacancy - JPN - Digital & Data Support Officer A2(L)

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)
Global Issues Team

Main purpose of job:

Working in the newly created Digital & Data Policy team, to research the digital and data policy landscape in Japan; build stakeholder relationships; support the head of team.

The Digital and Data Policy Team (part of the Global Challenges Team) will lead on digital and data policy for the Japan Network. This is a fast moving, crosscutting, strategically important area. You will help develop our understanding of Japan’s approach to digital and data issues; work with other teams in the Embassy and external contacts to expand the UK-Japan digital and data relationship; help showcase UK strengths; support Free Trade Agreement negotiations in your field. As this is a newly created team, you will need to be flexible as priorities may change; you will have opportunities to shape the scope of activities.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

Working in the newly created Digital & Data Policy team, to research the digital and data policy landscape in Japan; build stakeholder relationships; support the head of team.

The Digital and Data Policy Team (part of the Global Challenges Team) will lead on digital and data policy for the Japan Network. This is a fast moving, crosscutting, strategically important area. You will help develop our understanding of Japan’s approach to digital and data issues; expand the UK-Japan digital and data relationship; help showcase UK strengths. You will manage relationships with Japanese and UK interlocutors and work with other teams in the Embassy, including contributing to policy, cyber security, trade, investment and market access objectives. You will also support the UK-Japan Free Trade Agreement negotiations and subsequent implementation. As this is a newly created team, you will have opportunities to help shape the scope of activities. You will also need to be flexible as priorities may change.  

Research and liaison

  • Research Japan’s policy and activity on digital and data issues. Contribute to written reports on the sector
  • Liaise with UK and Japanese stakeholders, including in government; companies; and academia to promote greater understanding, sharing of information and UK expertise. This will involve external visits, and may require some occasional evening work (e.g. in order to facilitate contact with colleagues in the UK).
  • Support UK-Japan Free Trade Agreement negotiations and subsequent implementation.

Visit and event support 

  • Support for Ministerial visits and other events when required – logistical support in arranging transport, booking venues, arranging invitations, co-ordinating with and paying suppliers and supporting physical set-up such as manning a reception desk during events. Due to Covid-19, virtual visit programmes may be required.

Admin and translation support for the Digital & Data team

  • Translate/interpret for Digital & Data Policy lead, where required.
  • Keep databases updated; prepare guest lists; contribute to budget management. 
  • Other activities as required by the Digital & Data Policy lead or other members of the department.

Crisis Work and other roles

  • Every member of the Embassy has a crisis role.  You will be expected to do work outside of your normal duties in the event of a crisis such as a major earthquake.  You may also be asked to take on roles related to the Tokyo Olympics. Volunteering for a corporate role is encouraged.

Working patterns:

Due to the current situation with coronavirus, most staff work from home the majority of the time but we expect working patterns to return. Whilst the job is largely Tokyo-based and in-person calls will be required, flexibility on hours or location can be considered.


Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

The British Embassy offers comprehensive learning and development opportunities that will be 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.


Language requirements: 

  • Native or very high degree of fluency in Japanese
  • Business / fluent in English

The duration of this role is until September 2021 with possibility of renewal


  • Knowledge and experience of digital and/or data sectors.
  • Strong IT skills (including standard Microsoft Office software).
  • Experience of working in an international context.
  • Proven networking and interpersonal skills
16 August 2020
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
37.5
Asia Pacific
Japan
Tokyo
British Embassy
1
JPY
341,124
5 October 2020
  • 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)
  • Alongside a number of Embassy-specific courses that will need to be completed on arrival, the Embassy is supportive of learning and development. We offer five development days per year, and regular opportunities for learning and development delivered both within the mission and regionally in Asia. We also focus on using coaching and a buddying system to support new arrivals.

The applicant must have work authorisation for Japan however if a foreign national, the British Embassy/Consulate General will support a visa application if required.

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.

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.

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.