View Vacancy – Science and Innovation Officer (DNK21.343)

The British Embassy in Copenhagen is part of a world-wide diplomatic network, representing British political, economic, consular and prosperity interests overseas. The Embassy is now looking for a new Science and Innovation Officer. 

The UK is a global leader in science and innovation. International collaboration is essential to maintaining the excellence of the UK’s research base. The UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) has approximately 100 officers in over 40 countries/territories around the world, engaging with the local science and innovation community in support of UK policy overseas and creating strategic relationships to build partnerships and collaborations on science and innovation.

The work of the UK S&I Network is guided by the following objectives:

• Stimulate strategic science and technology collaborations to benefit the UK and deliver wider policy goals

• Harness international science and technology partnerships and investment to grow UK innovation capability

• Improve UK policy based on international experience and emerging opportunities and challenges

• Influence science and innovation policies and approaches of governments, industry and academia in line with UK interests

More information on the UK Science & Innovation Network is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/uk-science-and-innovation-network.

Role details

The SIN officer in Copenhagen will lead on delivery of the UK Government’s Science & Innovation interests in Denmark as part of a SIN Europe team. They will report to the SIN Nordic/Baltic Regional Manager based in Stockholm. They will be countersigned by the First Secretary Political in the Embassy and need to work closely with teams across the embassy, including colleagues working on climate, economics and trade.

The job holder will lead on the SIN Network and Embassy’s key science and innovation objectives for Denmark, including:

• supporting a strong bilateral science and innovation relationship between the UK and the Denmark;

• identifying and taking forward opportunities for building research and innovation collaborations and partnerships in sectors such as Life Science, climate change and emerging technologies;

• science elements of the UK Government Covid-19 response.

This a very varied role and as such the day to day responsibilities may change over time.

Responsibilities will include:

• Understand and monitor Danish science and innovation policy, programmes and investments, to inform UK engagement with Denmark.

• Respond to requests from UK ministries for insights into Denmark’s approach to specific areas of science and innovation policy to inform UK approach.

• Manage a network of contacts in government, research organisations and universities in the UK and Denmark to support SIN and Embassy objectives.

• Contribute to a programme of projects, visits, events and other activities aimed at facilitating scientific and innovation collaboration between the UK and Denmark and enhancing visibility of UK’s science excellence and innovation capability.

• Support ministerial and other senior official visits to Denmark relating to bilateral science and innovation issues, through identifying suitable contacts, coordinating meetings and providing relevant briefing.

• Support the British Ambassador to Denmark’s engagement on science and innovation with key high-level stakeholders. 

• Work collaboratively across Embassy teams to share expertise and contribute to the delivery of shared priorities, in particular on climate, life science and emerging technologies.

• Manage project delivery, including project finances, for a small number of science and innovation focussed projects.

• Sit on the cross-Embassy Country Board to shape and update on science and innovation work in the country business plan. Own and update the SIN Delivery Plan for Denmark.

• Support the science elements of the Embassy’s work to respond to COVID-19, including monitoring and reporting on scientific advice to Government.

• Fluent English and Danish both written and spoken is essential (C1 level under the CEFR or equivalent*).

• Flexibility, self-starter, strong self-management, and time management skills.

• Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team, and under remote line management.

• Strong inter-personal and communication (oral and written) skills.

• Ability to multi-task, plan ahead, and prioritise.

• Ability to produce concise, timely and thorough reporting upon request.

• Ability to manage and engage a network of stakeholders in both the UK and Denmark.

• A minimum of a university master’s degree and a keen interest in scientific and technological issues across a range of sectors.

• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).