Main Purpose of Job:

The UK Science and Technology Network (STN) is a global network within the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. STN works to develop international partnerships in science, technology and innovation and to deploy science diplomacy in support of UK Government priorities. 

The Science & Technology Team’s work at the British Embassy Tokyo is highly collaborative and focuses on science, research, data and technology policy cooperation in areas of complementary strengths for the UK and Japan, to support UK growth over the long term. With this goal in mind, we engage daily with government officials, research agencies, academics and other embassies in Japan and the region. 

This is a dynamic short-term role in a broad policy area of growing significance to diplomacy and UK economic growth. It requires an interest in science and technology, management skills, competence in planning and delivering projects and events, and strong communication skills to maintain relationships with varied counterparts. 
 
This role will work closely with the STN Northeast Asia Regional Director and others in the Science and Technology Team and lead specific workstreams; currently these include space cooperation, biotechnology & engineering biology policy, and health & medical sciences. This role has the potential to contribute to the development of UK-Japan collaborations across a wide range of research fields including, life sciences, medical sciences, space, physical sciences, and social sciences, and the translation of this research into innovative technologies, through our existing partnerships. Priorities may change, requiring adaptability and offering opportunities to shape the scope of the team’s activities as they evolve. 

What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve:

Science and Innovation expertise, informing goal setting and activity management (20%)

• Plan and implement activity for yourself and team (including budgeting), aligned to the STN Delivery Plan and current priorities for the STN, FCDO and UK Government.
• Develop and apply a broad knowledge of UK and Japanese S&T policy to inform your work and management of the team. Refer and work with line manager to address complex issues or concerns.

External engagement and communications (30%)

• Maintain relationships, and where necessary build new ones, between science and technology organisations in the UK and Japan.
• Produce material for communications campaigns to promote the UK as a highly innovative destination based on the UK’s scientific excellence and technological expertise.

Coordinating meetings, events and visits (20%)

• Collaborate with UK and Japanese government officials to organise the UK-Japan Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in different teams to coordinate impactful visit programmes and written briefing for UK Ministers and UK representatives.

Coordinate regular information sharing and reporting (5%)

• Manage the team process for monitoring the impact of our work in Japan.
• Respond promptly to regular central commissions on science and technology topics and ensure the team can effectively analyse Japan’s policy developments to identify and highlight opportunities and lessons for the UK.

Contribute to the wider work of the Japan network and the STN (5%)

• Take an active role in the Embassy’s crisis response plan and crisis exercises. 
• Participate in the regional STN community to facilitate information-sharing and collaboration across STN in the Asia-Pacific region.

Team leadership (20%)

• Line manage a team of three Science and Technology Officers, motivating and supporting them to perform at their best.
• Facilitate a dynamic team culture by role modelling knowledge of your area, professionalism and respect. Empower your team to collaborate to multiply the visibility and impact of their work, and to efficiently organise visits, events and meetings.

Resources Managed (staff and expenditure):

• Line manage a team of least three Science and Technology Officers
• Budget responsibility to deliver events

• Ability to set, communicate and implement plans, taking into account the organisation’s strategic direction
• Management skills to maintain a motivational and efficient working environment
• Oral briefing skills and experience with senior stakeholder (Ministers, senior industry and government colleagues)
• Ability to digest technical information and make informed, evidence-based decisions
• Experience working with either UK or Japanese ministries or research-related organisations
• Experience in international or inter-governmental relations
• Fluent English written and spoken communication skills
• Proficient computer literacy
• Evidenced interest in science, innovation and technology

Language requirement:

This role requires written and spoken proficiency in English and Japanese. fluency (minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework*) in English is required.

*Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for Languages sets the following mastery or proficiency levels:

• C2: Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express themself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
• B2: Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.