Main purpose of role:

The British Embassy in Colombia has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic individual to join our team as the Head of the UK’s Science & Technology Network (STN) in Colombia. 

This is a rewarding role where you will be responsible for supporting and further developing the strong science, innovation and technology (SIT) partnerships that exists between the UK and Colombia. Working closely with Embassy and Regional colleagues, the Director for STN Latin America and UK Government departments, you will set the strategic vision for and lead delivery of SIT exchanges and programme/project activity in partnership with stakeholders in both countries. You will develop and nurture strategic engagements with leading scientific institutions, industry partners, and government ministries and agencies in Brazil and the UK, with the aim of accelerating scientific research, technological advancements, and commercial opportunities for UK companies.

This position is part of the UK’s global Science and Technology Network (STN), jointly owned by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT). The five priority themes for the Science and Technology Network are frontier and emerging technologies; climate, energy and environment; health and life sciences; space; and security (including critical minerals), but Science, Innovation and Technology work cuts across a range of UK Ministries, departments and agencies, as well as many sections of the British Embassy Bogota. It will be your role to coordinate collaborative working and avoid duplication, while ensuring there is common understanding of why Colombia matters and where the UK should collaborate to have the biggest impact. 
  
The successful candidate will be responsible for delivery of the Colombia component of the Science and Network’s Regional Delivery Plan, identifying joint research programmes and academic partnerships and strategically deploying science and technology to support broader British Embassy objectives in Colombia. 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.  
  
This position will sit within and be line managed by the head of the Economic, Climate & Science (ECS) team, while also being an active part of STN Latin America, reporting to the Regional Director (based in Brazil).  The jobholder 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:   
•    Support both the FCDO and DSIT in delivery of their international science and technology priorities, working with other UK Ministries where appropriate.   
•    Design the strategy for UK Science and Technology cooperation in Colombia, ensure this is reflected in both the Embassy and Regional STN delivery plans, and lead on the delivery of projects and activities in support of this strategy 
•    Be a credible interlocutor and knowledgeable on SIT who will lead the local relationship with key Colombian stakeholders with responsibility for identifying and facilitating opportunities for greater collaboration between the UK and Colombian science, innovation and technology sectors. 
•    Identify potential sources of funding, scope potential partners and write/submit bids for S&T projects, including facilitating cross-Embassy teams to understand and deliver UK S&T through their work.   
•    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.   
•    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.  
•    Compile and contribute to reports, commissions and briefs for UK stakeholders, including Government Ministers, policy makers, Senior UK scientists, and Members of Parliament.  
 
UK Embassy 
•    Actively participate in the development and delivery of the Economics Climate and Science (ECS) team strategy, working with the Head of ECS and other ECS Team Leaders to ensure good structures, collaboration and delivery across the team.
•    Contribute actively to UK Embassy governance and corporate structures, including promoting and facilitating delivery of UK STN priorities via cross-Embassy teams. 
•    Provide leadership for and strategic direction to your direct reports sharing knowledge and supporting talent development talent.  
•    Provide written and oral briefings for the Head of ECS, Deputy Head of Mission and Ambassador to support engagement on the science and technology agenda. 

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 Administrative Office and 1x intern. Planning, delivery and management of STN Colombia budget; supervision of team travel and entertainment budget 

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 will also be expected to 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. 

•    Substantial experience of working in a science or technology role  
•    Demonstrable experience of working on the UK’s SIT priority themes: frontier and emerging technologies; climate, energy and environment; health and life sciences; space; and security (including critical minerals) - desirably with experience in more than one of these key 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, innovation and technology 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  
•    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: English and Spanish. Level of language required: Expert