Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Science and Innovation
Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.
The British Embassy in The Hague is part of a world-wide network of nearly 270 Diplomatic offices, representing British political, economic, consular and prosperity interests overseas and is now looking for a temporary Science and Innovation Officer (SIN Officer) to cover a period of maternity leave. The applicant should be able to start work approximately February 2021 and work until mid-July 2021.
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 of governments, industry and academia to benefit the UK.
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 The Hague leads on delivery of the UK Government’s Science & Innovation interests in the Netherlands, is part of a SIN Europe Science and Innovation team and will report to the SIN West Europe Regional Manager based in Paris. The successful candidate will also work closely with the Embassy’s Policy, Prosperity & Climate, and Economics Sections on delivery of the Post objectives, in particular on COP26 and prosperity.
The job holder will lead on the SIN Network and Embassy’s key science and innovation objectives for the Netherlands. Objectives for the first half of 2021 will include:
- Science elements of the UK Government Covid-19 response;
- Supporting a strong bilateral science and innovation relationship between the UK and the Netherlands;
- Identifying and taking forward opportunities for building research and innovation collaborations and partnerships.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
This a very varied role and as such the day to day responsibilities may change over time, however responsibilities will include:
- Leading on science elements of the Embassy and SIN Network’s support for the UK Governments’ response to Covid-19, monitoring and reporting on scientific advice to Government to Covid-19 and relevant scientific research on C19 in the Netherlands, as part of the Embassy Covid-19 team. This includes coordinating responses to requests for information from the Government Chief Scientific Advisor’s office and the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office International Analysis team;
- Pro-actively monitor and report key developments in Dutch science and innovation policies, programmes and investments, preparing thorough, timely and concise reports, to inform UK international engagement;
- Conduct independent research in response to requests from UK stakeholders for concise reports on specific aspects of science & innovation policies and programmes in the Netherlands;
- Manage a network of contacts in government, research organisations and universities in the UK and the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands and enhancing visibility of UK’s science excellence and innovation capability;
- Support Ministerial and other senior official visits to the Netherlands relating to bilateral science and innovation issues, through identifying suitable contacts, coordinating meetings and providing relevant briefing. Currently, these may be virtual rather than in-person visits;
- Support the British Ambassador to the Netherlands’ engagement on science and innovation with key Dutch high-level stakeholders;
- Work collaboratively across teams to share expertise and contribute to the delivery of Embassy priorities, in particular on COP26 and prosperity;
- Manage project delivery, including project finances, for one or two projects;
- Coordinate quarterly reporting on delivery of the SIN Business Plan for the Netherlands.
The job description is subject to changes and may evolve over time and in response to changing circumstances. The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times.
There is the possibility for the job to be completely remote/working from home (depending on the Covid-19 situation).
- Fluency in English and Dutch (both written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
- 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 the Netherlands;
- 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).
- A demonstrated interest or experience in international science and innovation policy and collaboration;
- Understanding of the UK’s and the Netherlands’ research and innovation and higher education landscapes;
- Excellent project management skills;
- Experience of working in embassies or other international or multilateral organisations.
Seeing the Big Picture, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace, Engaging Internationally
28 December 2020
B3 (L)
Fixed Term, Full-time
36
5 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Netherlands
The Hague
British Embassy
1
3,743.20
1 February 2020
The successful candidate will initially be offered a 5 months employment contract at B3 level to cover for a maternity leave. The base salary for this position is € 3,743.20 gross per month, based on a working week of 36 hours. In addition, an 8% annual holiday bonus and a monthly travel allowance are payable. The Embassy currently applies a performance based bonus pay model for local staff.
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in The Netherlands.
The successful candidate will undergo a professional background check; Any job offer is also provisional to a successful security clearance check. Preferred start date as soon as possible and subject to security clearance which can take time.
The Embassy encourages a culture of continuous learning. All employees have access to the Civil Service Learning platform which gives access to training to improve job specific skills. Employees are entitled to a minimum number of annual training days.
The British Embassy promotes and demonstrates the key values of Professionalism, Respect and Honesty.
Visa/Passport requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in the Netherlands and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Additional requirements may become necessary after 31st December 2020.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.
*Under the terms of the UK/NL Double Taxation Convention (Article 18 1(b)(ii), UK nationals who move to The Netherlands to take up their new role at the Embassy/Consulate and UKB spouse start working at the Embassy with no previous record of working in the Netherlands since the arrival of the UKB partner they accompany, will be placed on a tax abated salary if deemed to be eligible for Dutch income tax exemption on their salary. Qualifying staff will have no Dutch tax levied on their salary and will therefore be paid a lower salary abated by the amount of tax they would have had to pay if that local liability existed. A tax abated salary ensures a fair and comparable take home pay. Staff on tax abated salaries cannot claim tax benefits in The Netherlands but they are fully and comprehensively covered for social security and deemed to be resident local staff for all intents and purposes.
Additional Information (due to Covid 19):
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You may experiment some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption
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Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action
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Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.
* Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 as Proficiency Level which comprehends that a person understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.
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.
Please be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
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