Science and Innovation Country Lead

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The **British Embassy Doha** is part of a worldwide network that represents political, economic, security and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a **Science and Innovation Country Lead**, job grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO).

**Main Purpose of the Job**:
The UK Science and Innovation Network (SIN) is the British Government’s organisation for international science diplomacy, using the UK’s excellence in science and innovation to develop partnerships and collaborations that support UK prosperity and help tackle global challenges. SIN is jointly funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) with more than 100 staff based in over 40 countries and territories worldwide, including the SIN Gulf team, led from Doha. The Science and Innovation Country Lead for Qatar must work as part of the wider SIN Gulf team, ensuring they continue to promote the UK as the partner of choice for research, development and innovation.

The six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain) are investing heavily in research capacity as they seek to diversify and build their knowledge based economies. In addition to post and wider FCDO objectives, the SIN Gulf team also manage programme funding to support the UK MENA Strategy, with the SIN Country Lead assuming responsibility for programme delivery in Qatar, along with supporting activities across the wider Gulf region. SIN Gulf has already identified significant opportunities for the UK research base to engage beneficially with Gulf research institutions in priority research sectors and is looking to extend its coverage both in the region, and with UK institutes and businesses.

**Main Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Implement the UK Government’s science and innovation strategy for the Gulf with direct responsibility for Qatar.
- Responsible for planning and delivery of programme funded scientific focussed initiatives.
- Manage the UK relationship with Qatar research, innovation and funding bodies.
- Report on Qatar trends, policy and funding in the areas of research, science and innovation.
- Develop communications strategies and campaigns to promote the vibrant, creative and ambitious UK-Qatar science and innovation partnerships to a wide range of target audiences.
- Provide support to senior UK Government staff and the UK research base regarding Qatar’s science and innovation environment.
- Act as the first point of contact for UK Government lobbying on research, scientific and technology policy issues in Qatar.
- Collaborate with Qatari partners on the development of common science and innovation policies.
- Work with UK partners - UK Department for International Trade (DIT), Prosperity, British Council and others to deliver wider UK prosperity objectives.
- Develop and maintain a network of senior level contacts across the UK and Gulf research landscape.
- Support UK entities to leverage Gulf research funds to tackle pressing global challenges.
- Support VIP visits - Curate events with a range of high level, diverse thought leaders and influencers to promote our bilateral scientific partnership.
- The above list is not exhaustive and the jobholder will be required to be flexible and take on other ad hoc tasks as required. _

**Key Behaviours**:

- **Working Together**:

- Form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources, and support.
- ** Delivering at Pace** - Take responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive
- ** Managing a Quality Service** - Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, taking account of diverse customer needs.
- ** Seeing the Big Picture** - Understand how your role fits with and supports organisational objectives. Recognise the wider Civil Service priorities and ensure work is in the national interest.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience
- Fluency in English both written and spoken. Able to express ideas and messages clearly and concisely, both orally and in written communication.
- BSc, BA or BEng in a relevant field.
- Experience in project management and/or events management.
- The ability to plan strategically and to see the bigger picture.
- The ability to deliver results under pressure.
- The ability to work quickly and reliably with attention to detail and with limited supervision.
- The ability to initiate and maintain a wide range of working relationships.
- The ability to work as part of a larger team.
- Strong presentation, communication, interpersonal and representational skills.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Strong IT computer skills - Understanding of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Desirable qualifications, skil