British Embassy

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

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Job Category

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

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Job Subcategory

Science and Innovation

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Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy in Washington, DC is seeking a dynamic US East Coast Director to join the UK’s Science & Innovation Network. This opportunity is a rewarding role working with government, academia and business to increase UK-US collaboration on science, innovation and technology, working at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.

This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, working at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.

The Senior Policy Advisor, as part of the British diplomatic mission to the United States, will play a pivotal role in advancing UK research and innovation partnerships in the US. You will lead UK Science & Innovation engagement and delivery for the Boston region (including New England) and a wider team working across the eastern US to deliver on their objectives. You will manage Science & Innovation Officers in the Boston, New York, Atlanta and Chicago Consulate districts and work closely with relevant Consul Generals as well as colleagues from other British Government departments such as the Department for Business & Trade (DBT), Politics, Press & Public Affairs (PPPA) and UK funding bodies.

Representing UK interests, the advisor will engage with US policymakers, government agencies, universities, think tanks, and foundations, driving growth in research collaboration in key sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, quantum technologies, synthetic biology, semiconductors, and space. The advisor will also cultivate partnerships with universities and research institutions to strengthen US-UK cooperation, support UK economic growth, and provide effective reporting on the science and innovation ecosystem to inform policy making in the UK.

The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, organised, and resourceful; a self-starter capable of working independently with limited guidance and oversight; and an effective team player with strong management and proven leadership skills. Strong interpersonal skills, capable of effectively interacting with members of the public, science community, and senior government officials; Excellent (and demonstrable) writing and communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise reports, and to present effectively to a range of audiences. The role requires clear, concise writing, effective presentation skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with other British Government departments (including the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, UK Research and Innovation and the Department for Business and Trade).

Ideally with a strong academic (PhD preferred, but not essential) or corporate background in science and innovation; a good understanding of the science and innovation base in the Consulate district (New England & New York); and knowledge of UK science and innovation strengths and capabilities is a plus.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Science and Innovation Policy

Engaging with senior leaders across S&I fields to promote UK interests and identify opportunities.
Engage with universities and research institutes to identify and foster high-potential UK-US collaborations.
Contributing to the strategy, development and leadership of the US S&I network.
Playing a significant role in shaping UK S&I engagement with US.
Acting as SRO for the Net Zero and Clean Energy sector of the US Science & Innovation Network.
Advising UK stakeholders on S&I policies, programmes and initiatives in the northeastern US.
Compiling and contributing to reports for senior UK scientists, learned societies, UK policy makers, Ministers and Parliament.
Supporting visits from senior government officials, ministers, and university leadership relating to science and innovation.
Horizon-scanning developments in science, technology and policy.
Managing projects to successful delivery and follow-up.
Contributing to broader Consulate and UK initiatives in support of UK prosperity, innovation and economic growth.
External engagement and representation on UK science and innovation priorities.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Line management of four Science & Innovation officers (Boston, New York, Atlanta, Chicago).
Oversee programme spend of £250k+ across the US science & innovation network
Support the development of SIN’s project pipeline, ensuring a dynamic and refreshed portfolio.
Participate in team development with opportunities for corporate leadership roles.

Language requirements:

Language: English

Level of language required: Fluent English

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Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Proven ability to align projects and initiatives with broader foreign policy objectives to drive diplomatic and economic outcomes.
Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with experience engaging senior leaders across industry, government, academia, and the science and innovation sectors.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and timely reports; deliver effective presentations and reporting to diverse audiences.
Proven ability to analyze complex information and provide clear policy advice to senior stakeholders.
Deep understanding of US science and innovation policy, including government and congressional dynamics.
Experience working in multi-site, multidisciplinary teams, with a track record of collaboration and delivering results.
Self-starter capable of working independently with limited guidance and oversight;
Highly motivated, organized, and resourceful.
Highly flexible, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and seize new opportunities.
Reliable, positive and flexible to new situations and ways of working;
Effective team player with strong leadership and management skills.

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Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Strong academic (PhD preferred, but not essential) or background in science and innovation; particularly experience in or with government, but also with industry, academia, or a relevant organization.
Good understanding of the science and innovation base in the Consulate district (New England & New York);
Knowledge of UK science and innovation strengths and capabilities is a plus
Experience managing staff and providing coverage for senior colleagues.

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Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture

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Application deadline

8 December 2024

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Grade

Grade 7 (G7)

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Type of Position

Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

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Working hours per week

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Region

Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories

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Country/Territory

United States

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Location (City)

Boston

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Type of Post

British Embassy

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Number of vacancies

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Salary Currency

USD

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Salary

$116,364

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Type of Salary

yearly

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Start Date

27 January 2024

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Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a 24 months fixed term contract with the possibility of renewal. This role is full time at 40 hours per week, but does not require set working hours each day.

The US Network supports hybrid working. We are an organization that also recognises the critical value of teamwork, and we embrace and endorse collaboration by ensuring that all staff attend the office flexibly yet regularly.

Working with colleagues across US and UK time zones will sometimes require a degree of flexibility.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible. In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats, and other staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold. If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P). If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available.

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.

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Additional information

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, e.g. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.

The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.

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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.

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