Science and Innovation Officer

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 Category

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory

Political

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy in Oslo is part of the United Kingdom's world-wide diplomatic network, and represents British political, economic and consular interests in Norway and is now looking to recruit a Science and Innovation Officer.

The main purpose of the job is to build and develop bilateral relationships between Norway and UK Ministries, academic institutions and organisations with an interest in science and innovation.

And 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 Norway.

Responsibilities include:

Bilateral

Develop and deliver the Norway SIN business plan

Understand and interpret key Norwegian stakeholders' positions on the future of science collaboration to ensure SIN/BEIS/DExEU 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 Norway. Provide timely and concise reports on key developments to UK government departments and other stakeholders.

Support Ministerial and senior official visits to Norway relating to bilateral science and innovation issues.

Support regional thematic leads on the development and delivery of projects involving Norway.

Multilateral

Develop, deliver and contribute to a programme of projects, visits, events and other activities aimed at facilitating collaboration between the UK and Norway and enhancing UK innovation capacity. Support Regional Manager and engage country officers as necessary to aid delivery, ensure compliance and timely reporting.

Influence

Develop a wide range of contacts in government, business, universities and public research organisations in the UK and Norway to support the Science and Innovation Nordic/Baltic Network's overarching objectives.

Corporate Responsibility

Support the wider work in the Embassy including providing surge capacity and engaging in corporate activities.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Fluency in Norwegian and English (both oral and written);

University degree in science or engineering field OR 3 years of relevant work experience in science, innovation and/or government policy;

A self-starter, with the ability to organise self and work effectively?;

Ability to work effectively and supportively on shared objectives with colleagues;

Networking skills;

Understand and focus on customer needs.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Experience of working in an international environment; public/private sector experience; excellent relationship-building skills; well-developed analytical skills and the ability to clearly communicate them to different audiences;

Good IT skills;

Flexibility to travel domestically, and internationally.

Required competencies

Seeing the Big Picture, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Building Capability for All, Delivering at Pace, Engaging Internationally

Application deadline

17 November 2019

Grade B3 (L)

Type of Position Fixed Term, Full-time

Working hours per week 35

Duration until 31st March 2021

Location British Embassy Oslo

Starting monthly salary (NOK) 46,978 gross

Start Date soon as possible

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time fixed-term position until 31 March 2021. The working hours are 35 net per week.

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance.

Employees recruited locally by the British Embassy Oslo are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with Norwegian employment law.

All applicants must have the right to live and work in Norway. The Embassy does not sponsor work permits.

The Embassy offers a wide-range of learning and development opportunities, both in the Post, in London and more widely across Europe. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office also has extensive e-learning opportunities. All staff are encouraged to focus on their personal development, and 5 days a year are dedicated to learning and development for each staff member.

Visa / passport requirements: must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Norway and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Additional information

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field "Application deadline".

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.