View Vacancy – AUS (Canberra) – Policy Officer, HEO

Main purpose of job:

This is a great job, working where science and tech meet diplomacy. The successful candidate will drive the UK’s position as a global leader in Science, Innovation and Technology, leading a range of policy and programme work to deliver our partnership with Australia. Priorities will evolve over time, so flexibility and a willingness to adapt are essential. The job holder will lead thinking on policy development that will make the most of the UK’s advantages, driving change that will deliver economic growth and better jobs, through bold discoveries and new ways of working that make a real change. They will develop science and tech engagement through making best use of the levers at our disposal, including diplomatic influence, partnerships and programmes. They will create and develop relationships with government, research bodies and investor decision-makers and policy influencers. They will inform and oversee programmes and collaborations that are mutually beneficial, supporting and promoting the UK’s science and innovation strengths, and creating opportunities for investment in UK technology businesses. They will oversee event and administrative support, managing the EO Science and Tech Programme Officer, as well as collaborating with and where appropriate cover for a wider range of colleagues in our High Commission and Consulates General across Australia.

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

The job holder will be part of the UK Government’s Science and Technology Network (STN) – co-owned by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. STN works internationally to promote UK science and innovation and drive partnerships between the UK’s academic, business and government’s research and development capacity and our partner countries, among which Australia is a priority.

The job holder will play a vital role in an ambitious agenda of cooperation, designing, planning and delivering activities that strengthen the UK science base, the international impact of UK research and development, and ultimately to support economic growth and jobs in the UK. They will deploy programmes that support policy priorities and the UK-Australia S&T relationship. Currently this is focussed on emerging technologies such as Quantum, Engineering Biology and Artificial Intelligence (AI); and research partnerships and policy including developing new collaboration on research security. The job holder will also engage and support the work of other teams on Space, AgriTech, Clean Technologies and Cybersecurity. Outcomes will build on partnerships and joint research programmes, increased profile and visibility of UK capabilities, new academic partnerships and commercial opportunities. The job holder will need to be flexible to work on new UK ministerial priorities as they evolve, and to support new opportunities for collaboration.  

An interest in and aptitude for work in science and technology is important for this job, including a desire to grow and learn more. However the key skills for the position are in policy development, diplomacy/ influencing, leadership and resource management.  It is not essential to have a deep technical or scientific background -at its core this is a public service policy position.

The successful candidate will engage stakeholders in both Australia and the UK across the innovation community including academics, researchers, business leaders and Government. They will lead the UK’s institutional relationships with key science and tech organisations in Australia.  The jobholder will provide regular briefings and advice to help senior managers locally and in the UK to make well informed policy decisions. 

Core elements of the job include:

Science and tech diplomacy: The job holder will maintain and develop strong and sustainable working relationships with counterparts in government, research organisations, international organisations, diplomatic missions and companies in UK and Australia. They will develop those relationships to be mutually beneficial, with the capacity to support promoting UK interests and policy priorities.

Policy development: The job holder will develop thinking and strategies on aspects of science and tech in Australia, including proposing actions to enhance partnership and influence.  They will also build effective working relationships with other parts of the UK’s Australia network, especially the Department for Business and Trade, and our network of Consulates General across Australia.  They will work with UK headquarters departments to build understanding and take forward policy interventions, informed by the regular reporting they will provide.

Managing resources: This position line manages a STN colleague –EO Programme Manager. The HEO will set and monitor goals and performance, agree and monitor learning goals, and work to ensure the reportee is both effective and supported. The job holder will also oversee and report on programme and administrative budgets.

Programme delivery: The job holder will oversee programme management and delivery, including event and visit coordination. Most day-to-day programme management will be done by the EO Programme Officer, but the HEO will set direction and provide support, as well as administrative tasks such as checking and approving payments. The STN team manages a range of programmes of S&T collaboration, including scoping visits, convening events, and support to research collaborations.

Communications: Including developing and supporting promotional campaigns and activities that highlight UK science and innovation strengths, capabilities and priorities. These may involve preparation of media and social media messages and articles about UK-Australia collaborations, as well as participating and speaking at public events and conferences.  

Corporate: The job holder will be expected to contribute to the wider work of the mission. This may include covering for other colleagues; leading on or participating in broader events; contributing to committees (e.g. learning and development; country-based staff association; wellbeing committee). 

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

• The job holder will line manage one member of staff (EO Programme Officer).  
• They will also oversee programme budgets, administrative tasks, communications and reporting to meet strategic objectives.

• Relevant professional experience in public policy/ public service
• Relevant qualifications
• Broad understanding of science, innovation and technology topics, and interest to learn more
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to brief senior staff 
• Stakeholder management skills/experience, and ability to influence
• Agility and flexibility to work on evolving priorities in the science & tech space

Language requirements: 

• Language: Fluent in spoken and written English