The successful candidate will play an important role in promoting the UK as a global leader in Science, Innovation and Technology, and support the delivery of our partnership with Australia. Priorities will evolve over time, so flexibility and willingness to adapt are essential. The job holder will manage programmes and collaborations that are mutually beneficial, supporting and promoting the UK’s science and innovation strengths, and creating opportunities for engagement between Australian and UK policy, and support and engagement for UK visitors. They will develop relationships with government, research body and visiting decision-makers and policy influencers, in the UK and Australia. They will provide effective policy, event and administrative support, and collaborating with and where necessary covering for colleagues.  

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

The job holder will be part of the UK Government’s Science and Technology Network (STN) – co-owned by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. STN works internationally to promote UK science and innovation and drive partnerships between the UK’s academic, business and government’s research and development capacity and our host countries, among which Australia is a priority.

The job holder will play a vital role in an ambitious agenda of cooperation, designing, planning and delivering activities that strengthen the UK science base, the international impact of UK research and development, and support growth and jobs in the UK. They will support programmes in areas that are at the heart of the UK-Australia ST&I relationship.  Currently this is focussed on emerging technologies such as Quantum, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Engineering Biology; in addition to work on Space, AgriTech, Clean Technologies and Cybersecurity.  Outcomes will build on partnerships and joint research programmes, increased profile and visibility of UK capabilities, new academic partnerships and commercial opportunities. The job holder will need to be flexible to work on new areas and to support new opportunities for collaboration.

The successful candidate will engage stakeholders in both Australia and the UK across the innovation community including academics, researchers, and Government. The jobholder will provide regular briefings to help senior managers locally and, in the UK, to make well informed policy decisions. 

Core elements of the job include:

Programme delivery (30%):  Programme management and delivery, including event and visit coordination. At the High Commission the STN team manages a range of programmes of S&T collaboration, including scoping visits, convening events, and support to research collaborations.  The post holder will manage such projects including engaging with stakeholders, overseeing narrative reporting, issuing contracts, managing budgets, and making payments.

Communications (15%): Including promotional campaigns and activities that help highlight UK science and innovation strengths, capabilities and priorities. These may involve preparation of media and social media messages and articles about UK-Australia collaborations, as well as participating in public events. Internal communications and briefing senior managers on current and future science policy discourse in Australia. 

Administration (10%): Management and reporting on programme budgets, contracts, and events. Supporting and advising senior staff, especially the Head of Science and Tech, and the Science and Technology Policy Officer.

Policy work and reporting (30%): The job holder will help develop the UK’s policy on science and tech in Australia.  To do this they will build an understanding of Australia’s research and technology interests, and be up to date on related current affairs in Australia.  They will provide analysis and reporting which informs UK policy and commercial objectives, including producing high quality and tailored briefings and advice as required.

Stakeholder management (15%): The job holder will maintain and develop positive working relationships with counterparts in governments, research organisations and companies in UK and Australia, promoting UK interests and policy priorities.

They will provide effective policy, event and administrative support, and will collaborate with and where necessary cover for colleagues.

• Project/ programme/ financial management experience
• Relevant professional experience
• Proven understanding of and interest in science, innovation and technology
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Stakeholder management skills/experience