Science and Innovation Officer B3, Bratislava

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, 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.

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
The British Embassy in Bratislava is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Science and Innovation Network (SIN) officer.
For the duration of the UK negotiations to leave the EU, the main purpose of the job is to build and develop bilateral relationships between Slovakia and UK Ministries, academic institutions and organisations with an interest in science and innovation. Working closely with colleagues at the British Embassy in Ljubljana, support and facilitate similar engagement in Slovenia. Provide information and insight into Slovakia and Slovenia’s reaction to UK science related exit objectives and also to contribute to ongoing UK economic growth and a strong post-negotiation bilateral relationship by initiating mutually beneficial science and innovation collaboration between the UK and both Slovakia and Slovenia.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
Bilateral
• In the context of Brexit, understand and interpret key Slovakian and Slovenian stakeholder positions on the future of science collaboration to ensure science and innovation/Business, energy and industrial strategy/Department for exiting the EU and other UK stakeholders have the data to engage and influence negotiations.
• Monitor and respond to developments in science and innovation policies and programmes in Slovakia and Slovenia. Provide timely and concise reports on key developments to UK government departments and other stakeholders.
• Support Ministerial and senior official visits to Slovakia and Slovenia relating to bilateral science and innovation issues.
• Support regional thematic leads on the development and delivery of projects involving Slovakia and Slovenia.
Thematic, cross-cutting and programme delivery
• Develop, deliver and contribute to a programme of projects, visits, events and other activities aimed at facilitating collaboration in pharma, ICT, engineering and cyber sectors between the UK and Slovakia or Slovenia and enhancing UK innovation and start-up capacity. Support Regional Manager and engage country officers as necessary to aid delivery, ensure compliance and timely reporting.
Corporate Responsibility
• Support the wider work in the Embassy including providing surge capacity and engaging in corporate activities.
Influence
• Develop a wide range of contacts in government, business, universities and public research organisations in the UK and Slovakia to support SIN Central & Eastern Europe team overarching objectives. Be an active and informed remote S&I officer for Slovenia, helping to harness the British Embassy in Ljubljana local contact networks and expertise in support of Her Majesty's Government Science and Innovation goals.

Essential qualifications and experience
• Masters degree, or equivalent, preferably in a science or engineering subject.
• Enthusiastic about science and knowledgeable about key Slovak and Slovenian science and innovation sector.
• Good understanding of innovation, and links between business and research.
• A solid understanding of policy making and how governments work, including the EU.
• A self-starter, with the ability to organise self and work effectively.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; confidence in dealing with senior contacts and colleagues, and in handling customers.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Fluent oral and written English and Slovak.
• Good IT skills.

Desirable qualifications and experience
• Flexibility to travel domestically, and internationally.
• Having knowledge of pharma, ICT, engineering, start-up and cyber sectors in Slovakia and in Slovenia.

Required competencies
Seeing the Big Picture, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at

Other benefits and conditions of employment
This is a full-time position, for a fixed term contract of 2 years.
The monthly salary for this position is € 1800 gross, payable 13 times a year.
The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance.
All applicants should have the right to live and work in Slovakia. The British Embassy does not sponsor for work permits.
Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Slovakia are subject to terms and conditions of service according to Slovak Labour Law.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on 17/O1/2018.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please, follow this link to apply for this position:
https://fco.tal.net/vx/appcentre-ext/brand-2/candidate/so/pm/4/pl/1/opp/4921-Science-and-Innovation-Officer-B3-Bratislava-SVK603/en-GB