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).