View Vacancy – SH – Science and Technology Policy Support Officer, EO
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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
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Science and Innovation
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This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, high-performing team with strong senior-level importance within the British Consulate Shanghai and across the HMG China Network. This role sits within the China Science and Technology Network (STN) led from Beijing and part of a global network. The STN is comprised of 130 staff in over 65 locations and promotes UK scientific leadership, shapes global standards, and provides high quality insight to inform UK policy. STN focuses on strengthening economic growth through S&T, supporting responsible development of frontier technologies, driving clean energy and climate transitions, advancing global health and life sciences collaboration whilst reinforcing UK research and economic security. Its work helps ensure the UK can access cutting edge research, attract investment, and remain a trusted and influential global S&T partner.
The UK Government is taking a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests. The China Network is at the centre of improving the UK’s capability to understand and respond to the challenges and opportunities China poses.
We co-operate with China on issues such as climate, science, health, and as permanent members of the UN Security Council. This includes supporting UK business to engage with the second largest economy in the world while being open-eyed to risks and ensuring security and resilience. We compete with China in areas where we have different interests; and we challenge China’s activity where we must, to protect our national security and values.
We are looking for someone with a passion for science, technology, and innovation who thrives in a rapidly changing environment. The jobholder will play a vital role in building a network in priority HMG areas across the East China innovation ecosystem, a dynamic cluster home to world-leading tech firms including Alibaba, Deepseek and important research institutes. You will work with leading universities, research institutes, and industry to shape engagement in support of UK science and technology objectives. You will manage relationships proactively proposing opportunities for engagement for China Network seniors and STN colleagues across the China Network. You will work closely with Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Political and Outreach colleagues in support of high-profile visits. This is a new role, and a priority will be delivering impactful engagement, building and maintain networks, and reporting on the local S&T landscape.
In addition to Shanghai, the British Consulate-General Shanghai covers three provinces in East China, one of China’s most dynamic and strategically important regions. The role involves regional travel to engage stakeholders and support delivery of STN priorities. As a key role in the STN China Network it also involves travel to Beijing.
The job holder will spend 80% of their time on STN priorities. We recognise the wider work of the Consulate and anticipate that the job holder will spend around 20% of their time on more regional Consulate priorities.
- 30% – Supporting the UK-based STN official in building and sustaining a first-class network of contacts across universities, research institutes, government bodies, and industry in East China. Taking the initiative to leverage these relationships in line with UK priorities to project and promote UK strengths in science, technology, and innovation.
- 30% Supporting senior visits, dialogues, and engagements related to science and technology, including briefing and post-visit reporting, ensuring alignment with wider STN and China Network objectives.
- 20% – Informing, shaping and supporting the delivery of HMG policy on science and technology in East China by producing high-quality reporting and analysis to inform policy makers in the UK on the East China S&T landscape. Monitoring and analysing developments, assessing implications for UK interests, and contributing expert insight on areas incl. Climate and net zero, health, agrifoods, planetary sciences and emerging technologies.
- 20% Supporting the British Consulate-General Shanghai’s corporate and representational objectives, including the delivery of major events and engagements including the King’s Birthday Party and other high-profile receptions. Contribute to cross-team events including senior visits where there are STN-related elements.
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- Fluent English and Chinese language skills. Outstanding written and verbal communication skills in both languages. The jobholder must be capable of producing clear, accurate and engaging briefings.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to communicate complex technical information to non-experts.
- Ability to produce clear, concise, high-quality written reporting that is structured, balanced, and actionable.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines in a fast-moving environment.
- Ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders, including technical experts, academics, and policy officials, and to communicate confidently across different professional and cultural contexts.
- Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage own workload effectively while contributing to wider team objectives.
Language requirements:
Expertise in English and Chinese – written, spoken and listening
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- Experience engaging with universities, research institutes, industry, and government, including supporting international research partnerships.
- Experience working within the East China innovation ecosystem, and an understanding of how regional policy priorities shape innovation, investment, and international collaboration.
- Experience in delivering visits and engagements for senior leaders.
- Strong understanding of the science and technology sector, including how innovation underpins economic growth and industrial competitiveness, and awareness of the geopolitical dimensions, such as strategic competition, technology security, and international collaboration.
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Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together
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25 August 2026
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Executive Officer (EO)
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Full-time, Fixed Term
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35
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12 months
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Asia Pacific
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China
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Shanghai
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British Consulate General
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1
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CNY
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RMB 19,955 for CB Chinese l RMB 27,633 for CB Expat
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monthly
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5 October 2026
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This vacancy is advertised as full-time, fixed term role of 12 months.
Benefits:
We offer a competitive package which includes –
- A gross salary of CNY 19,955 for Chinese Nationals and an abated salary of CNY 27,633 for British Nationals and spouses/partners of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria
- Commercial insurance package including accidental, life, medical and business travel insurance
- 22 days annual leave entitlement in pro-rata which increases by 0.5 per full calendar year worked up to maximum of 25 days. We offer different types of compulsory leave in accordance to Chinese law, e.g. Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, Marriage Leave, Parental leave, etc.
- In addition to the above compulsory leave, we also offer other types of leaves with pay e.g. Study Leave, Volunteering Leave to support staff who undertakes volunteering activities, Special Paid Leave to deal with emergencies involving a close family member, and more.
- Employee Assistance Programme which is a confidential service providing help, support and information to staff to resolve and manage situations causing concern whether at work or personal nature is available to staff 24/7;
- There is also plenty of opportunity to develop on and off the job and establish expertise and build capability. We are strongly supportive of the job holder continuing to develop their professional skills. The Mission encourages a blended learning culture based on the 70/20/10 model which includes e-learning, mentoring, coaching, other development activities and role-specific required trainings. This offer also includes supporting staff members to take part in 5 days of learning activities each year.
Learning and Development Opportunities:
This is a new role in a new team, and the successful candidates will be given the support, guidance and L&D they need to excel in their new positions.
The British Consulate General Shanghai has a strong L&D offer with plenty of chances to learn from British and country-based staff, covering and shadowing other teams and doing online/in-person courses and learning sessions about diplomacy and more detailed policy areas.
Working Patterns:
35 hours of work per week from Monday to Friday, 08:00-17:00. There will be occasions that require you work outside normal hours.
The role requires travel within the six provinces covered by British Consulate-General, Shanghai, and travel to Beijing and other parts of China to maintain close working with the wider STN China Network. There may be opportunities to travel to the UK for business purposes.
The FCDO also operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require.’
Other Information:
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Embassy/Consulate General are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.
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Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
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.
Note: All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.
Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. 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.
To ensure a successful application it is important that you explain how you demonstrate these behaviours, including through your experience. You are strongly advised to read the Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours which provides detailed guidance on how the behaviours are defined.
Applicants are encouraged to use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) format to prepare specific examples of when they have demonstrated these behaviours in their application. Using the STAR format to provide evidence of your skills and experience in your application and at interview helps to give a structure. You briefly describe the situation in which you showed the behaviour, and then explain your task in addressing the situation, what action you took and the result of this.
For inclusivity and diversity, please remove the following personal information when uploading your CV: name, address, email address, age, date of birth, gender and nationality.
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 clearance
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