British High Commission in Singapore: Science and Innovation Adviser, B3(L)

Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles). Job Subcategory: Science and Innovation

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

 

  • Application deadline: 4 June 2021
  • Grade: B3 (L)
  • Type of Position: Full-time, Permanent
  • Working hours per week: 37.5
  • Region: Asia Pacific
  • Country/Territory: Singapore
  • Location (City): Singapore
  • Type of Post: British High Commission
  • Number of vacancies: 1
  • Starting monthly salary (SGD): 4,738
  • Start Date: 19 July 2021

Other benefits and conditions of employment  

 

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary of SGD 4,738 per month and annual wage supplement [an additional 2 months’ salary paid out in December each year], 23-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata and insurance plan.

Due to the Government of Singapore’s measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including safe distancing and travel restrictions, we are only able to accept applications from those currently resident in Singapore.  

We offer time and financial support for the successful candidate to take advantage of professional learning and development opportunities inside and outside of the organisation.

The BHC has an active Learning & Development Committee which works hard to provide a comprehensive L&D offer. There is a wide range of options available for personal development including training courses, coaching and mentoring, job-shadowing, presentations and learning sets. Staff have access to a wide variety of online resources through the International Academy and Civil Service Learning. Staff are strongly encouraged to take advantage of all available opportunities.

All new hires undertake a workplace induction and there are a number of mandatory e-learning courses that must be completed in order to pass probation.

Normal working hours are 37.5 per week: 8.30am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday. 

British High Commission Singapore supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering.

In addition to the duties which this job normally entails, you may from time to time be required to undertake additional or other duties as necessary to meet the needs of the High Commission, including playing a part in the corporate life of the mission and supporting any crisis response.

No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain a local work permit which we will sponsor.

Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Singapore employment law.

Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment checks. Only short-listed applications will be called for personal interviews.

The British High Commission is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.

 Additional information  

Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

To those applicants not shortlisted, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

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.

 

Requirements: 

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

  • A degree, and/or evidenced relevant professional experience 
  • Demonstrable understanding and interest in science and innovation 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills (the job requires writing high quality briefing, as well as the ability to provide oral briefing to senior stakeholders)
  • Strong stakeholder management skills/experience
  • Project/ programme/ financial management experience

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

  • International partnerships development experience
  • Knowledge and experience of Singapore’s research and innovation system, institutions and priorities, and/or knowledge and experience of the UK’s research and innovation system, institutions and priorities

Required competencies  

  • Leading and Communicating
  • Collaborating and Partnering
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Engaging Internationally
Responsibilities: 

Main purpose of job:

To develop and support science and innovation collaboration between the UK and Singapore, which promotes UK prosperity and the wider bilateral relationship, supports the UK’s science strengths, and opens up potential to lead to investment in the UK and opportunities for our businesses.  To deliver strong Government- Government collaboration on science and innovation, drawing in research funders and performers, and innovation agencies on both sides of the relationship.  Outcomes will build on the existing strong partnership and will include joint research programmes; new academic partnerships; and new commercial opportunities for the UK.

Roles and responsibilities:

The job holder will play a vital role in delivering an ambitious agenda of science and innovation cooperation between the UK and Singapore, designing, planning and delivering activities that will strengthen the UK science base and support growth and jobs in the UK. The job holder will lead and support programmes in areas which sit at the heart of the UK-Singapore science and innovation relationship, across four thematic areas of Emerging Tech & Data, Global Health, Future Mobility, and Climate. 

The job holder will need to engage influential stakeholders in both Singapore and the UK, mapping areas of common priority and building support for joint workstreams. The job holder will need to deploy programme funding, visits, media engagement, and engagement of research funders and performers to meet strategic objectives of the UK government. They will join a dynamic and inclusive team, which forms a key part of the partnership between the UK and Singapore.  

Core elements of the job include:

Business planning and strategy development: for key sectors of the Science and Innovation relationship with Singapore; bidding for programme funding and other forms of support.  

International partnership: The job holder will build and maintain relationships with stakeholders in the governments and research and innovation systems of both countries (across government, academia, and industry). 

Programme management: the job holder will be assigned specific initiatives to lead on, and will independently develop them to achieve strategic and impactful outcomes - by leveraging programme funding to plan and deliver activities (both physical and virtual).    

Public diplomacy & Communications: the job holder will be involved in planning and delivering campaigns/activities to highlight UK science and innovation strengths, capabilities and priorities. These may involve preparation of media and social media messages and articles, public lectures, and panel discussions, working closely with other colleagues.  

Budget management: the job holder will manage and report on the S&I programme budgets, spending budgets, and events budget.

Analysis, reporting, mapping: the job holder will need to develop a good understanding of Singapore’s research and innovation strengths, as well as be up to date on related current affairs in Singapore; provide analysis and reporting which informs UK policy and commercial objectives, and produce high quality and tailored briefings as required. 

In addition, the job holder will also have the opportunity to engage in initiatives spanning the work of the wider British High Commission, as well as to take on wider corporate responsibilities. 

Resources managed: 

Programme funds of approx.£60K annually.

Singapore
City: 
Singapore
Application deadline: 
04 Jun 2021
Start date: 
19 Jul 2021
Type of position: 
Permanent position
Salary: 
4,738 SGD
Bonuses: 
We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary of SGD 4,738 per month and annual wage supplement [an additional 2 months’ salary paid out in December each year], 23-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata and insurance plan.
Posted:
28 May 2021