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 identity, 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.
The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Main purpose of job:
FCDO plays an important role in the delivery of the UK’s ambition to be a global science leader and innovation nation. FCDO supports this vision by facilitating research collaboration to bolster national prosperity, security, and resilience by connecting UK academia, business, and other government departments to international partners to tackle global challenges and support the UK Government’s wider geo-political priorities. We work in partnership with the local science, technology and innovation (ST&I) community in support of UK policy overseas, leading to mutual benefits for the UK and the host country.
The global science network in the FCDO’s Research and Evidence Directorate (RED) is a unique component of the UK’s overseas footprint with 152 officers in 67 locations around the world providing ST&I expertise. Our global science network in Africa comprises twenty colleagues in five locations. The network develops bilateral and regional ST&I relationships supporting UK diplomacy and development objectives. The network is composed of the Science and Innovation Network (SIN) and Research and Innovation Hubs (Hubs).
The post holder will work with teams in East, West and Southern Africa to shape the portfolio of programmes aimed at accelerating the impact of promising new technologies and innovation in target countries across East Africa. The post holder will also work with colleagues in South/South Asia to deliver ST&I objectives impacting the region in addition to the UK and East Africa. He/She will support efforts to promote visibility and UK Government coherence on science, technology, research and innovation. The successful candidate will also be responsible for developing new and strengthening existing science partnerships including strengthening technology and innovation systems in partner countries for development impact and diplomatic influence in the region.
The role will involve working flexibly across the RED Hub network alongside the country offices across East Africa. You will bring exceptional technical and partnership skills and experience developing coherence and impact working with a broad spectrum of stakeholders in the East Africa ST&I ecosystem.
The postholder will be expected to work with FCDO country offices across East Africa to understand their science, innovation and technology requirements and to drive effective delivery of the UK’s strategies and programmes in meeting UK objectives in the region. The successful candidate will also be responsible for developing new and strengthening existing science partnerships to enhance research and innovation systems in partner countries for development impact and UK diplomatic influence in the region.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
- A degree in one of the following fields (or any other relevant field): Social Science, Basic Science, International Development, Engineering, Technology & Innovation or Research.
- Proven knowledge and experience of the role science, technology, research, and innovation can play in African development, particularly for East Africa. This may include understanding and experience in a technical area or more widely across development policy.
- Can engage internationally and across government on a cross-cutting agenda to help deliver UK Government objectives in the wider UK and international context and in developing productive relationships with other government departments and external partners to help deliver UK objectives
- Experience of working across stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, including national and international partners, whether from government, academia, development partners, private sector and civil society.
- Good communication skills and the ability to work with others to ensure complex ideas can be communicated to different audiences.
- Experience of programme and/or project management and delivery.
