Department for International Trade roles (DIT)
DIT
Job purpose
Japanese investment into the UK has been a huge success story over recent years with over 1,000 Japanese companies established in the UK and 150,000 people employed directly by Japanese companies. Our aim is to support and grow Japanese investment in the UK. We have a team of 15 people working across our Tokyo Embassy and Osaka Consulate as well as a range of sectoral expertise in the UK that we can draw on.
Ideally the role would be based in the British Embassy in Tokyo as most of the key stakeholders are there. However, consideration will also be given to candidates being based at our Consulate in Osaka.
This role focused on increasing R&D investment into the UK. Japan invests around 3.5% of its GDP into R&D mainly driven by its large blue chip companies. The UK’s R&D ecosystem and university base is world leading and the recently announced UK R&D Road Map* sets out the UK’s ambition to grow investment in R&D to 2.4% of GDP by 2027. There is an opportunity to support Japanese companies to partner with UK universities and companies to bring new innovation and R&D investment into the UK. You will focus on the strategic technologies which will have the biggest benefit to the UK economy, for example the eight great technologies
To do this you will carry out research on the Japanese sectors and corporate that invest most into R&D and explore which areas the UK is best placed to support. You will then produce propositions for those companies and use these to build links and partnerships between UK companies and universities and Japanese businesses.
In an increasingly digital world, you will leverage digital platforms and social media to support existing and prospective Japanese investors and technology partners on an on-going basis.
*https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-research-and-development-roadmap
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:
Market Research and Analysis of the R&D Opportunity in Japan
The top 10 Japanese companies invest more into R&D than the entire UK public and private sectors – your key aim is to support Japanese companies to carry out more of this R&D in the UK, bringing new innovation into the UK economy.
You will carry out market research and analysis of the largest Japanese investors into R&D, the main areas (sectors and sub-sectors) into which Japan invests and how this aligns with the UK’s capabilities. You will engage with the most promising 10-20 Japanese businesses to explore their R&D interests further and provide key information to them on the UK universities and companies which have capability in those areas. You will also support the wider investment team increasing their understanding of the UK R&D offer and providing them with key information which they can pass onto their clients.
Building partnerships with UK research institutions
You will work through the Science and Innovation Network (SIN) team in the British Embassy to build partnerships between Japanese Corporates and UK Universities, catapults and businesses. You will hold the relationship with the Japanese businesses and SIN will hold the relationship with Innovate UK and key UK universities. You will support Japanese companies to participate in the key UK R&D funding rounds including the Eureka Global Stars programme, funding programmes run by Innovate UK and funding available from organisations such as the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Cars. You will also build bespoke partnerships between specific Japanese companies and key UK universities with expertise in the areas the companies are looking to grow and expand.
Support investment projects into the UK
You will focus on the R&D partnerships that will provide most benefit to the UK economy, in terms of innovation and size of investment. You will work with others in the investment team in Japan and in the UK to design a set of metrics to evaluate the success of the project and to shape and focus the project on the areas which will provide the greatest benefit for the UK. Based on these metrics, you will build up a pipeline of 10 new potential R&D projects in your first year and 20 new potential projects p/a after that.
Support on capital investment
As such part of your role may be focussed on supporting other key sector opportunities. Large capital investments and Venture Capital investments into the UK is one particular example of another sector where you may be asked to provide expertise and support to major Japanese companies.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
While you will not have direct line management responsibility for any staff, you will work closely with teams across the Japan Network focussed on the key, R&D intensive sectors of Life Sciences, Manufacturing and Technology.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
Two key areas of focus will be:
(i) building up a knowledge of the key sectors which the post holder will work in. On the job training, presentations from sector specialists and potential Developing Sector Knowledge course in the UK.
(ii) building up influencing and sales skills through on the job training and DIT run courses like Effective Account Management or Consultancy Based Sales training courses would be useful.
The British Embassy and Consulate-General offer comprehensive learning and development opportunities that will be fully available to the jobholder. We regularly run both work area specific training, as well as more general skills development in project management, finance, and leadership. Each year the job holder will be encouraged to use 5 development days to pursue job related and personal development goals.
All staff are required to take a role in the embassy’s crisis preparation and response. Full training will be provided for this and regular opportunities will be available to test and develop your skills.
Working patterns: 37.5 hours per week.
If the job is suitable for flexible working patterns, please provide details: This job is full time but happy to support flexible working pattern
As many of the key clients are based around the Tokyo area the role would most suit someone living in Tokyo and being based at the Tokyo Embassy. However, we will also consider candidates who are based in Osaka.
- Proficient in both English and Japanese. Japanese level should be fluent. English level should be over 850 TOEIC or over.
- Experience of managing projects across separate teams of people working on aligned objectives.
- Ability to work effectively in an increasingly digital environment (strong IT skills, ability to present online).
- Degree in business or economics is desirable but not essential.
- Experience in a sale role in a private sector business or a role in a Governmental organisation with links to businesses (METI, NEDO or JETRO).
- Experience of working in an English speaking environment.
- Experience of working in a position linked through to R&D e.g the development or funding of new technologies.
Changing and Improving, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace
30 October 2020
B3 (L)
Permanent
37.5
Asia Pacific
Japan
Osaka, Tokyo
British Embassy
1
436,174 JPY monthly (6,106,436 JPY annually)
2 December 2020
- 1 month salary bonus equivalents payable in June and December
- Commuting allowance of up to JPY35,000 per month (paid on an actual cost basis)
- 24 days paid annual leave (calculated pro rata)
- Health insurance and Employee pension (kenko hoken/kosei nenkin)
- Employment Insurance (koyou hoken)
This role requires a specific week-long training and induction course that will most likely take place in Manila as soon as possible after the job holder starts work.
The British Embassy offers comprehensive learning and development opportunities that will be fully available to the jobholder. We regularly run both work area specific training, as well as more general skills development in project management, finance, and leadership. Each year the job holder will be encouraged to use 5 development days to pursue job related and personal development goals. All staff are required to take a role in the embassy’s crisis preparation and response. Full training will be provided for this and regular opportunities will be available to test and develop your skills.
The British Embassy, Tokyo supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering. This particular role allows for flexibility in start and end times, working compressed hours, working remotely for one day a week, and the possibility of a job share arrangement, subject to agreement with management.
This role will be offered pending successful reference and security checks, and is subject to the appropriate permissions to work. If the successful candidate requires a visa to work in Japan, the Embassy will support that application.
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.
The start date mentioned in the job advert is a tentative start date and the successful candidate will be required to undergo security vetting procedures. Any offer of employment will be subject to the candidate achieving suitable clearances.
To help us with our recruitment effort, please indicate on the application form /cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.