Main purpose of job:

The UK’s Science and Technology Network (STN) is at the forefront of fostering global science partnerships and advancing science diplomacy. STN plays a pivotal role in maintaining the UK’s leadership in science, technology, and innovation through international collaboration.

About STN: The UK is a global powerhouse in science, technology, and innovation. To sustain this leadership, international collaboration is crucial. It supports the UK’s scientific base, enhances the competitive edge of our innovative businesses, and addresses shared global challenges.

STN comprises approximately 130 staff members located in over 65 countries worldwide. Our team builds partnerships and collaborations in science, technology, and innovation, working closely with local organizations to support UK policies abroad, benefiting both the UK and host countries.

This position is based at the British Embassy in Helsinki and is part of the broader science and technology team for Northern Europe, reporting to the Northern Europe Regional Manager based in BE Stockholm. The successful candidate will lead on science, innovation, and technology policy areas for the Embassy, aiming to strengthen bilateral engagement between the UK and Finland. This includes exploring opportunities for collaboration in research, innovation, and technology.

Key Objectives:

1.      Projecting UK science, technology and innovation excellence and leadership globally.

2.   Actively building and facilitating science, technology and innovation collaboration between the UK and Finland.

3.      Providing insights and analysis on developments and opportunities for the UK across science technology and innovation.

Roles and responsibilities:

You will shape and deliver the Science & Technology Network and Embassy’s science, technology, and innovation objectives for Finland. The role focuses on engagement, delivery, and insight, with responsibilities that may evolve over time:

• Network Building: Establish and maintain contacts in government, research organisations, universities and businesses in the UK and Finland to support STN and Embassy objectives.
• Reporting and analysis: Share regular reports and insights on Finnish science and technology policies, programmes and investments with the STN network, Embassy and key contacts in UK Headquarters.
• Driving S&T collaborations: Identifying and realising opportunities for S&T collaboration through implementing the UK’s International Technology Strategy in Finland and the UK-Finland Strategic Partnership.
• Support the British Ambassador partner: Assist the British Ambassador in their Finnish engagement on science and technology with high-level stakeholders.
• Cross Embassy collaboration: Build productive partnerships with teams across the Embassy on priority areas for the UK in Finland, especially related to growth opportunities in tech, clean energy and investment.
• Visit Coordination: Support ministerial and senior official visits by identifying contacts, coordinating meetings, and providing briefings.
• Programme Leadership: Lead bilateral projects, visits, events, and activities to enhance the visibility of UK science excellence and innovation.
• Business Planning: Develop annual strategic business plans and oversee their implementation.
• Financial Management: Oversee the STN Finland’s budget and ensure sound financial management.

Essential: 

• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken (minimum of C1 CEFR framework level language*).
• International Relations, Economics, Science, Technology or Engineering Degree or similar.
• Experience of working within science, innovation or technology policy (or similar) within government, academia or private industry.