View Vacancy - JKT - ASEAN Science & Tech Adviser, SEO
The South Asia Research Hub, Research and Evidence Directorate (RED) is seeking an Adviser to: (i) lead, shape, and implement new science, research and innovation collaboration between the UK and ASEAN member countries, (ii) promote UK science policy objectives in the region, and (iii) provide analytical advice and generate research to drive the use of data and evidence in decision making.
As RED expands its international research, science, technology, and innovation engagement in the ASEAN region to tackle development challenges, we expect new R&D partnerships for development in country, delivering interventions and impacts across the region. The Adviser will be responsible for leading the delivery of S&T programming supported by RED, provide regional insights and analysis, and will act as lynchpin between SARH, SIN, and regional forums focused on delivering the Indo-Pacific Tilt.
Reporting to the Head of the South Asia Research Hub based in India, with the SIN Regional Director based in Singapore as Countersigning Manager, the job-holder will be posted in the UK Mission to ASEAN, based in Jakarta, and will play a key role in planning and preparing decisions for RED in the region as part of the regional science network.
The role is a new position, so subject to some further changes. It is possible that the successful candidate will also oversee RED’s support to a number of wider Posts in the Indo-Pacific region.
Roles and responsibilities:
We all have a responsibility to embrace the changes of the FCDO as it transforms, building the culture we want to see and delivering our cultural statement in how we lead and behave towards others; how we make decisions and how we get the job done is everyone’s responsibility.
In this role you will work with the South Asia Research Hub (SARH) and SIN, to:
- Lead on all aspects of RED/SARH programming and engagement in the ASEAN region to ensure achievement of RED’s R&I objectives in the region and in support of its successful delivery
- Provide portfolio-level oversight of RED research, science, and innovation partnerships in the region. This includes coordination of programmes, corporate reporting, compliance, and correspondence; ensuring SARH/RED have effective systems to manage the portfolio; work planning; portfolio monitoring; financial management; exploring ‘dashboard’ style reporting that can support exercise our responsibilities in the region; collating impact stories and lessons learnt from across the portfolio; lead on comms to share outputs and keep core lines up to date
- With colleagues in the regional science network, develop and implement strategies to increase R&I collaboration between the UK and ASEAN countries; identify and facilitate opportunities to engage in regional activities in strategic priority areas
- Contribute a regional perspective to the development of research and innovation strategies and priorities on how to maximise the development and diplomatic impact of HMG’s R&D, science and tech investments and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region
- Support Posts to access evidence to inform decision making. You will provide analytical advice to drive the use of data and evidence in decision making by leading engagement with Posts in ASEAN to understand their evidence requirements, advise colleagues on how to access the evidence they need, map available evidence, and explain the options for using evidence for different business purposes. Country teams may require a range of rigorous evidence products, rapid reviews, country analyses, or workshops that facilitate access to subject experts for shorter programmatic deadlines. You will be expected to understand the strengths/weakness of different evidence products and methods, carry out analysis of key policy issues where required, and advise on an evidence solution that will have maximum impact
- Commission and manage demand-responsive research. You will be responsible for managing requests for evidence by Posts in the region. This will include developing research questions and terms of reference in collaboration with evidence focal points in country teams, commissioning research on priority areas, and ensuring the research is well designed and synthesised to enhance uptake. These products will inform Country Business Plans and may need to be sufficiently rigorous for external publication and cross-Government circulation. It will be necessary to also disseminate the findings of relevant externally published research, which may require further interpretation of the results, to make the findings accessible and relevant to different country and regional policy interests.
- Build linkages with regional SIN officers to plan (or shape our response to) new initiatives, analysis and policy steers that impact RED’s IP Delivery Plan
- Respond in a timely manner to requests for information, introduction, and briefings for meetings and visits from UK government departments and their agencies
- Other team and corporate duties as required
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
The Adviser will work closely with the Hub located in Delhi and Kathmandu (currently 6 team members) and the Science and Innovation Network officers based in Southeast Asia and be responsible for research and evidence programmes supported by RED in the region. They will act as expert adviser and/or RED’s representative for other global programmes in the region, identifying projects and contributing to decisions about funding in countries across ASEAN. They will be accountable for and have oversight of the ASEAN portion of the Evidence Fund (approx £500k per annum) making funding decisions for projects across the ASEAN region and help SARH to develop new research programmes in the region.
We are looking for someone with:
- Strong analytical skills
- Experience of research management and design of development programmes, and the ability to establish professional credibility with partners, and effective working relationships to collaborate on cross-cutting research and analysis
- Ability to deliver results with strong strategic awareness
- Ability to work independently and be able to build strong relationships
- Ability to influence discussions on designing new science partnerships for FCDO’s development programming in the Indo-Pacific
- Resilience to manage multiple projects concurrently, with the ability to research, benchmark, scope, design, implement and evaluate project delivery to tight deadlines
Essential:
- A post-graduate degree, preferably a PhD, in a relevant field (economics, development studies, sociology, anthropology, international relations, physical sciences, or related disciplines)
- Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience, preferably in the international development sector
- Strong background and experience in managing international research partnerships
- Strong communicator with evidence of excellent writing and presentation skills in English
- Effective team player and ability to work across the range of stakeholders and/or multidisciplinary teams/departments
- Proven ability to plan and deliver complex tasks at pace whilst managing multiple senior stakeholders
- Production of high impact briefs both for working internally, across government and with a range of external partners and for public and media communications on science, technology, and innovation
- Experience of the development sector in the region
You will be the key contact point in the UKMis ASEAN for regional R&I related enquiries and information requests from Whitehall Government Departments, their agencies and UK research organisations. As part of the team in UKMis ASEAN, you will also contribute to wider work at times of pressure such as visits by UK ministers and senior officials or crises.
PLEASE NOTE: due to the dynamic nature of our work, aspects of this post may change over time. The post-holder will need to be flexible and willing to adapt to evolving responsibilities.
The position is advertised on a 3-year contract with extension options by mutual agreement
The British Embassy/Consulate offers a competitive remuneration package including:
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days per year
- Medical benefit (medical insurance)
- Access to extensive learning and development opportunities
The successful candidate will get access to a range of learning and development opportunities, including on the job training, seminars, workshops and training courses. They will benefit from wide ranging seminars run by RED on different aspects of research and the impact of research. They will also benefit from the wide range of training run by the Post in Jakarta including on management, cross-cultural communication, and understanding the UK programme in ASEAN.
Flexible working options can be discussed with potential candidates.
Travel requirements: occasional travel to SARH in India, other countries in the ASEAN region, and UK offices.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Jakarta is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law. In relation to this, the successful candidate will need to arrange for his/her own Police Certificate.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
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.
Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
The selection method will comprise of a Paper Application Review and Interview. Candidates may also be asked to complete a Written Exercise in addition to making a short Presentation.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender, and nationality.
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.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
