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View Vacancy – Head of Science & Innovation, Berne, Switzerland (CHEB23.675)

  • Contract
  • Berne
  • Posted 11 months ago

British Embassy

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View Vacancy – Head of Science & Innovation, Berne, Switzerland (CHEB23.675)


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.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Science and Innovation

The British Embassy in Berne is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Head of Science & Innovation Switzerland to work at Post for the UK Science and Innovation Network. This is a permanent full-time position.

The UK is a global leader in science and innovation. International collaboration is essential to maintaining the excellence of the UK’s research base. The UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) has approximately 100 officers in over 40 countries/territories around the world, engaging with the local science and innovation community in support of UK policy overseas and creating strategic relationships to build partnerships and collaborations on science and innovation.

The work of the UK Science and Innovation Network is guided by the following objectives:

  • Projecting UK science, technology and innovation excellence and leadership globally;
  • Actively building and facilitating science, technology and innovation collaborations of value to the UK;
  • Providing insight and intelligence on emerging issues, opportunities and developments.

The network focusses on the following three main thematic areas of science and innovation:

  • Critical and emerging technologies;
  • Climate and environment;
  • Global health.

More information on the UK Science and Innovation Network is available at UK Science and Innovation Network – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Switzerland is a priority country for work on S&T with a high level of Ministerial focus and interest from HQ.

As Head of Science and Innovation Switzerland, you will play an important role in the SIN DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) team as well as the wider SIN Europe team. The jobholder will be line managed by post (currently by Head of Prosperity) but reports remotely to the Head of SIN Germany, Austria and Switzerland on policy and project work, proactively scoping and building contact networks in Switzerland, to help deliver team priorities. The jobholder will also work closely with business and trade colleagues, identifying areas of common interest (e.g. engagement with high-tech business in priority sectors for both SIN and DBT) and developing shared goals.

All staff are expected to contribute to the wider objectives of the British Government’s Switzerland network and to support the Embassy’s positive working environment.

What will the jobholder be expected to achieve?

You will work with the SIN Officer in Switzerland to deliver the Science & Innovation Network and Embassy’s science, technology and innovation objectives for Switzerland. 

The role is centred on strategy, engagement, delivery and insight, as per the key and additional responsibilities which follow, but the work is also varied and as such the day-to-day responsibilities may change over time:

Bilateral

  • Develop a clear strategy and business plan for a structured approach of the SIN Switzerland team. Oversee delivery of business plan objectives throughout the year;
  • Build and maintain a wide network of contacts in government, research organisations, universities, businesses and think tanks in the UK and Switzerland to support SIN and Embassy objectives and identify opportunities for engagement and bilateral cooperation;
  • Lead in delivering a bilateral programme of projects, visits, events and other activities aimed at enhancing the visibility of the UK’s science excellence and innovation capability and helping researchers achieve the full potential of scientific collaboration between the UK and Switzerland
  • Strengthening the UK-Switzerland bilateral political relationship through S,I&T building on an MoU between the UK and Switzerland for cooperation over research and innovation;
  • Inform UK international engagement with insight and analysis by proactively monitoring and reporting key developments in Swiss science and innovation policies, programmes and investments, and preparing thorough, timely and concise reports;
  • Conduct independent research in response to requests from UK stakeholders for concise reports on specific aspects of science & innovation policies and programmes in Switzerland;
  • Contribute to ongoing UK economic growth and a strong bilateral relationship by initiating mutually beneficial science and innovation collaboration between the UK and Switzerland.

Corporate Responsibility

  • Manage the Science and Innovation Officer in Berne;
  • Oversee SIN Switzerland’s budget allocation and ensure good financial management;
  • Work collaboratively across teams to share expertise and contribute to the delivery of wider Embassy priorities.

  • A minimum of a university Bachelor degree and a demonstrated interest in scientific and technological issues across a range of sectors;
  • English spoken and written fluency (C2 level) is essential;
  • At least 5 years of line management experience;
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, showing confidence in dealing with senior partners in government and research communities;
  • Proactive approach with ability to multi-task, plan ahead, and prioritise;
  • Team player, as well as proven ability to work autonomously;
  • Ability to produce concise, timely and thorough reporting upon request. Proven ability to form professional relationships and build trust with a wide range of contacts.

  • Experience in Science diplomacy working across wide range of stakeholders, including senior leaders from government, research and business;
  • German and/or French: High level of written and spoken skills (C1 level) highly desirable;
  • Knowledge and contact networks around one or more of SIN Switzerland’s current thematic priority areas (Global Health & Life Sciences, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum, Space);
  • Demonstrated knowledge and work experience of the UK and Switzerland’s science, research, technology and innovation landscapes and well-established networks within these;
  • Scientific expertise or qualifications;
  • Experience of working in embassies or other international or multilateral organisations;
  • Flexibility to travel domestically, mainly around Switzerland, and internationally.

Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

15 January 2024

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Full-time, Permanent

40h per week

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Switzerland

Berne

British Embassy

1

CHF

10,102.00 (non negotiable)

1 March 2024

This is permanent position of 40h per week, subject to a probation period of 3 months.

Monthly salary for this position is 10,102.00 CHF gross, payable 13 times a year.

The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year pro rata and the Embassy also enjoys an average of 14 public holidays per year. Specific training and mentoring for the role will be provided for the successful candidate. This may include training in London and the European region.

The British Embassy in Berne believes in a culture of continuous learning and development, and works to give all staff the opportunity to build expertise and achieve personal goals through engaging on the job, learning from colleagues and from formal training courses.  The successful candidate will have a tailored induction programme. 

 

The FCDO’s International Academy offers a range of learning opportunities, including accredited qualifications, to help you learn about the work of the UK government internationally, how diplomacy works, and to develop your professional skills.  Funding is also available to support your bids for further external training that will benefit you in the role, for example to deepen knowledge and expertise in climate and energy policy matters.

 

The final appointment and commencement will be dependent upon successful security clearance and subject to a professional background check. The successful candidate will be subject to professional background and security clearance. The applicant will be vetted to a achieve a security clearance (SC level) both from UK and Switzerland.

 

Visa/work permit requirements: All applicants should have permission to live and work in Switzerland. Applicants must hold a full passport valid for at least 18 months for any EU / Schengen country. All applicants should have the right to live and work in Switzerland.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note that the successful candidate will need to arrange and pay for their own travel and accommodation, as well as any other living costs and are subject to Swiss taxes.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions service according to Swiss employment law.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

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.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Please be advised that the British Embassy Berne, will not be able to meet any cost during the Recruitment and Selection process, Security Check nor the costs connected with relocation.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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.

Berne

To apply please copy and paste this link: https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/candidate/jobboard/vacancy/1/adv/

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