View Vacancy - CQ - Senior Science and Innovation Officer B3(L) (Open in Chonqing and Guangzhou)

Main purpose of job:

The jobholder will be a member of the Science & Innovation team in South West & South China, based either in Guangzhou or Chongqing (depending on suitable candidate). The jobholder’s responsibilities will cover the area of Clean Growth and also include cross-cutting responsibilities within the Science & Innovation Network in China. The role will report to the Science & Innovation Consul in Shanghai and work closely with colleagues across the Science & Innovation network in Guangzhou, Chongqing, Shanghai and Beijing, as well as the local senior management team in Guangzhou and Chongqing.

The role requires a number of skills and the jobholder will need to be proactive and able to work autonomously. The successful candidate will have experience in/knowledge of Clean Growth/Energy, be effective at working as part of a team, and building partnerships with key stakeholders (e.g. academia, business, innovators,) and colleagues in the UK government, based in both the UK and China. Tasks will include; using sector expertise and knowledge of UK and Chinese government priorities to design and deliver science and innovation projects which have impact, building relationships with key stakeholders, managing project budgets of approximately £25,000, conducting research and writing reports & other communications (e.g. case studies, blogs, briefing for Ministers, and reports for the wider Science & Innovation network both in China and the UK, on developments and opportunities in Science, Technology and Innovation in the region). The role will also support the growth of existing UK-China science partnerships in the region, including the UK-China Research and Innovation Partnership Fund.

As such, the successful candidate should have experience in project and budget management, report writing, and be able to communicate with clarity and impact with senior-level stakeholders. An understanding of the UK/Chinese science and innovation landscape and in particular of the Clean Growth/Energy sector will be advantageous.

Please note that while the job is currently focused on Clean Growth/Energy sector, the team’s priority sectors are subject to review and there is a possibility the sector priorities could change in the future.

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

Project Management

The successful candidate will use their specialist knowledge to advise on where the UK should focus its efforts to build the most productive relationships and links between the UK and Chinese Clean Growth/Energy sector and to design and deliver effective projects to advance and deepen these areas of co-operation. This will include feeding into the relationship between the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and China’s Ministry for Industry and Information Technology and any dialogues and exchange of information between the two sides.

Typically, projects include planning events or delegations of experts, participating in conferences and working with industry or Chinese government to ensure maximum impact for both sides. All projects build towards UK science and innovation objectives of delivering R&D partnerships and commercial outcomes and of supporting UK science policy aims, as outlined in the UK’s International Research and Innovation Strategy.

Tasks will include identifying and building connections with key stakeholders, project planning and ensuring that projects are delivered on time and to budget whilst achieving their agreed goals. Attention to detail, strong analytical skills, good team-working skills and project management experience are required. Basic familiarity with Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint is required).

Collaboration

The successful candidate will be expected to work effectively to build synergies with other teams, both within region and China wide including DIT energy team and Climate Change/Energy Policy Officers. They may also be required to provide ad hoc support for major British government activities in the region (e.g. ministerial visits, major events). The job holder will support the growth and expansion of UK-China science and innovation partnerships in the region, and offer advice to UK organisations looking to establish partnerships in the region.

The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is scheduled to be held in SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, from 1 - 12 November 2021 under the presidency of the UK Government and this role will feed into & support the UK preparation for this hugely import event.

Also in 2021, China will host the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Yunnan and there are likely to be important science and innovation contributions from the UK which could be expected to be part of this portfolio.

The job holder will represent the British Government in meetings and at events, so must be fluent in English and Mandarin and confident in interacting with senior stakeholders and occasionally undertake public speaking engagements. They will build a network of science stakeholders in the region, including with government science and technology departments.

Communications and reporting

Working with the communications team and lead for science and innovation communications in Beijing to write occasional social media posts or articles (e.g. for UK government website). Advise on strategic direction, provide briefs for senior officials, and report on project activities. Undertake desk research and report on activities in the region or within the Clean Growth/Energy sector.

Managing finances and admin tasks

Tracking project and admin budgets throughout the year through official government project system. Accounting for all expenses on Prism system, processing invoices, working with vendors, dealing with general financial enquiries. Booking own travel and managing travel budget through FCO supplier.

This position is open for both Chongqing and Guangzhou posts

·         Must be fluent in English and Mandarin

·         Project management experience, including management of budgets

·         Basic Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint &

·         Experience in the Clean Growth/Energy sector or closely related relevant experience (e.g. of UK or Chinese science and innovation systems).

·         Educated to at least degree level with at least 5 years’ work experience