View Vacancy - Head of Science and Technology

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Programme Roles)
Science and Innovation

Main purpose of job:

 The British Embassy in Colombia has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to join the UK’s global Science & Technology Network (STN) as the Head of Science & Technology (S&T). This is a rewarding role that supports and further develops the strong science, innovation and technology partnership that exists between the UK and Colombia, ensuring that the UK continues to be the partner of choice on science and innovation for Colombian institutions and researchers, and catalysing research collaborations on areas critical to UK and international prosperity and security. The role will focus on three key areas, Climate & Nature, Critical & Emerging Technologies and Global Health, and the jobholder should expect that these may change alongside future UK priorities.

The jobholders will work closely with others in the Economic, Climate & Science (ECS) team and will report directly to the Head of ECS. The Head of Science and Technology will provide strategic leadership to the UK’s S&T operation in Colombia and will lead the delivery of that strategy on the three key areas stated above. The job holder should have detailed understanding of the Colombian science and R&D ecosystem and understanding of the UK ecosystem is desirable. They will be expected to analyse and report on this landscape in Colombia, build relationships with government ministries, academia, innovation agencies and industry in the UK and Colombia, as well as, where relevant, identify commercial opportunities for UK companies.

The successful candidate will also be expected to promote effective scientific collaborations with the goal of enhancing the UK’s scientific excellence. This will include the delivery of the Science & Technology Network (STN) Colombia plan and identifying joint research programmes and academic partnerships. The jobholder will also identify and develop relationships with key stakeholders in Colombia and the UK with the aim of accelerating scientific research, technological advancements, and strengthening scientific ties between the two countries.

 The Head of Science and Technology will have responsibility for the management of project budgets and will line manage the Science and Technology Officer. The jobholder will also indirectly manage a team intern at start of role.

 As a senior member of the team, the jobholder will be expected to play an active role in the corporate life of the Embassy in Colombia. This could be as a member of the Local Staff Association or by getting involved in one of the many ad-hoc corporate initiatives the Embassy promotes.

The jobholder will be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, and country-based staff. Domestic and international travel can be expected and may be required as appropriate.

Roles and responsibilities:

Science & Technology Leadership: 

  • As part of the UK Science & Technology Network, jointly owned by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT), the jobholder will support both Ministries in their international science and technology priorities. 
  • Design the strategy for UK Science and Technology priority areas and lead on the delivery of related projects and activities.
  • Manage the relationships with key stakeholders of the S&T ecosystem in Colombia and the UK
  • Identify potential sources of funding, scope potential local partners and write/submit bids for S&T projects. 
  • Provide accurate and detailed information on policy, best practice and horizon-scanning in science, technology and innovation in Colombia to inform the UK government and other partners. 
  • Compile and contribute to reports and briefs for UK stakeholders, including Government Ministers, policy makers, Senior UK scientists, and Members of Parliament.
  • Manage projects, visits and events (virtual and physical) relating to science and technology in Colombia linked to the UK, including organising meetings and visits for Government ministers, senior Departmental officials, representatives from science/innovation funding agencies, universities.

Team Leadership:

  • Provide leadership for and strategic direction to the Embassy’s high-performing Science and Technology team. They will be expected to exhibit the highest standards of leadership including sharing knowledge and developing the talent within their team.
  • Contribute actively to Embassy governance and corporate structures.

As part of the Embassy team, you will also be involved in wider Embassy work during times of pressure such as visits by UK ministers and senior officials or during crisis situations.

Resources managed: 

1 x AO  Science and Technology Officer and (indirectly) 1 x Intern

Planning, delivery and management of STN Colombia budget; supervision of team travel and entertainment budget

  • A minimum of two years’ experience of working in a science or technology role
  • Experience of working on Climate & Nature, Critical & Emerging Technologies or Life Sciences - desirably more than one of these three key focus areas.
  • Strong communication and influencing skills, capable of effectively interacting with members of the public, science community, and senior government officials
  • Excellent (and demonstrable) written and oral communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise reports, and to present effectively to a range of audiences
  • Ability to broker/catalyse partnerships and collaborations with experience in stakeholder management
  • Understanding of Colombia’s science and innovation policy and government priorities
  • Highly motivated, organised, and resourceful
  • Effective team player with strong management and leadership skills
  • Reliable, positive and flexible to new situations and ways of working, comfortable with operating in ambiguous and uncertain contexts
  • Project and budget management experience
  • Event management experience
  • Capable of working across a variety of topics
  • Be committed and enthusiastic about the role of science in policymaking and its increasing role in international affairs

Language requirements: 

Language:  Fluent spoken and written English and Spanish 

Level of language required:  High level of fluency in both: Fluent spoken and written Spanish (C1 level under the CEFRL or equivalent). 

  • A track record of identifying and overseeing bilateral or multilateral funded research programmes, or scientific collaborations
  • Understanding of UK science and innovation policy and government priorities
  • Experience working for or with relevant UK and Colombian ministries, funding agencies, or research organisations
  • Preparation of project proposals for funding bids
  • A post-graduate degree (Specialisation or Master etc) in a relevant field
Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
22 May 2025
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
35
Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean
Colombia
Bogota
British Embassy
1
COP
COP $12,884,078
monthly
7 July 2025

Applicants must have the legal status to live and work in Colombia

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list. If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate. 

The successful candidate will have to go through a background check process, according to Embassy policies. 

The position is Open-ended, subject to 6-month probation period.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and enriching learning and development opportunities.


Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 22nd May 2025

All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form. Candidates must be able to clearly demonstrate experience and skills against the core civil service behaviours and will also be assessed against the essential criteria.

Learning and development opportunities:

The role provides opportunities to travel both within Colombia to monitor the implementation of UK funded projects and to the UK to meet with key stakeholders. The jobholder would also attend relevant events and conferences.

The successful candidate will be able to access learning and development opportunities with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s International Academy. Subject to funding, there may also be opportunities to take external courses related to the role.

Working patterns:

The British Embassy promotes a flexible working pattern. 

Working hours are: Monday – Thursday 08:30-17:00 ; Friday 08:30-13:30 . 

The successful candidate will be expected to work from the British Embassy at least 3.5 days a week.


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.