Main purpose of job:

The British Office Taipei is recruiting a Head of Science and Innovation to be the UK Science and Innovation Network’s (SIN) most senior representative in Taiwan. SIN is a network of over 120 officers based at more than 60 locations around the world. SIN is tasked with three core objectives: to project the UK’s Science, Innovation and Technology excellence and leadership globally; to actively build and facilitate collaborations of value to the UK; and to provide insights to help UK policy. At the British Office Taipei, the SIN team sits in the Economic Section but collaborates widely across the office. 

The goal of the Taipei SIN team is to help the UK to become a Science & Tech Superpower by 2030. This is a leadership role at the forefront of the work of the British Office to facilitate UK-Taiwan science, innovation and tech collaboration. The specific science or technology topics at any point will vary depending on UK Government priorities, and can cover the full spectrum of natural, life, medical, physical and social sciences and their technology applications. Priority sectors currently include: net zero technologies (particularly renewables and hydrogen); semiconductors (particularly compound semiconductors and IC design); health and life sciences (particularly medical devices); digital economy (5/6G and AI); and space science.

This is an excellent opportunity for an outgoing, proactive and organised individual with a keen interest in science and technology who is able to work independently to pursue UK science diplomacy and commercial objectives. The role requires leadership and management skills, competence in planning and delivering of key projects and events, and communication skills. The successful candidate will represent the UK externally, build relationships with external stakeholders, and seek out collaborations with other organisations to support the UK Government’s objectives on science and technology.

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

The Head of Science and Innovation will be responsible for: (1) setting the direction for, and driving forward the strategic UK-Taiwan science and innovation relationship (2) identifying opportunities for UK- Taiwan collaboration in key sectors; (3) facilitating delegations to Taiwan/ to the UK to pursue those opportunities; (4) supporting joint research and R&D programmes such as the Innovative Industries Programme and Collaborative R&D Programme and; (5) managing a team of two staff. 

Strategy & policy

• Use market analysis, internal and externally sourced, to form a strategic understanding of UK and Taiwanese technological strengths and needs, and how connections can be made between them
• Prioritise opportunities according to their commercial, technological and political value, in line with HMG policy including the International Science & Technology Strategy and the overarching objective of contributing to UK economic growth
• Seek ways to support the long-term strategic relationship between the UK and Taiwan, building on the existing bilateral S&T programmes
• Report on technological and policy developments in Taiwan when appropriate

Project management

• Build a pipeline of activities (bilateral missions, workshops, seminars) to pursue the identified sectoral opportunities (e.g. Global Business Innovation Programme – GBIP)
  Manage and monitor project implementation, reporting and follow up
  Ensure effective budget management and value for money, and seek funding from relevant channels to sustain the UK-Taiwan science and innovation relationship

Networking & stakeholder management

• Maintain strong working relationships with key Taiwanese stakeholders in the public (ministries, universities, key RTOs) and private sector
  Arrange high-level UK and Taiwan engagements, provide high-quality written briefing and take forward any follow-up actions
  Build up a good network in key UK ministries, universities and public organisations (incl. Innovate UK, the Catapults, UKRAS), as well as in the SIN network in Asia-Pacific

The jobholder will also be expected to support wider corporate goals across the British Office Taipei, working closely with other teams and senior managers, and to support high profile activities, including ministerial visits, on an ad hoc basis. 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

• Line management for 2x SIN officers 
• Use of programme funding to deliver projects in related topics 

• Management experience;
• A degree level qualification or higher;
• Strong interest in science, technology and innovation;
• Good organisational skills and a track record of successful project management;
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills, including confidence in suggesting new ideas and ways of working
• Strong interpersonal and networking skills;
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to draft high quality written material to short deadlines and to present with confidence to senior stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and to prioritise competing demands

Language requirements: 

Language:  English and Mandarin

Level of language required:  Full professional fluency in English, written and spoken, conversational level Mandarin