View Vacancy – Deputy Head of Science, Energy and Climate Team – British High Commission Ottawa

The UK is a global leader on science and technology and Canada is one of the UK’s closest partners and collaborators pushing technological boundaries to fight climate change, drive economic growth and provide global public goods.

The British High Commission in Ottawa is looking for a dynamic individual to become Deputy Head of the 10-person UK in Canada Science, Tech, Energy and Climate Team. This is a stretching leadership role that provides a bridge between ecosystems in the UK and Canada. You will help ensure that the UK continues to be the partner of choice on these issues for Canada and catalyse research collaborations on areas critical to the UK’s future. These areas include responsible development of emerging technologies such as AI, quantum and life sciences or identifying how we can reduce carbon emissions. Nevertheless, your focus will evolve in response to opportunities, UK Government policies and priorities. Creativity, agility, cultivating relationships and executing influencing campaigns will be critical to success.

You will spot connections and opportunities; contribute to the UK Government policy-making process; conceive, lead and deliver projects and events; convene and build networks in both countries; organise and oversee high-level visits from UK VIPs; represent the UK Government across Canada; all to strengthen UK-Canada relationships between Governments, regulators, research institutions, funders, accelerators, Indigenous partners and private-sector innovators.

You will report to the Head of the Team who’s also based in Ottawa. No two days will be alike and you could be briefing the British High Commissioner to Canada on policy issues, trying to influence Canadian policy or briefing stakeholders on UK policy. You’re likely to lead project teams across the “UK in Canada” Network as well as colleagues back in the UK to achieve specific objectives.

The core objective of this position is to represent the UK’s science, technology and climate policy interests in Canada.

You will work in a diverse international environment side-by-side with UK diplomats and country-based staff operating across the “UK in Canada” network – comprising the British High Commission in Ottawa as well as Consulates-General in Montreal, Toronto. Calgary and Vancouver. This network provides a platform for multiple UK Government departments and agencies to conduct their work here.

The UK in Canada Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, benefits package and a strong learning and development offer. It also promotes a culture of flexibility, which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working and flexible hours, where business needs allow.

You will be expected to attend the High Commission in person at least 3 days per week, and the role occasionally involves attending events outside normal working hours as well as periodic travel.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Forge strong relationships with key stakeholders including senior policy officials within the Government of Canada.
• Identify opportunities for collaboration to further UK policy goals.
• Proactively seek and stimulate opportunities for high-value collaboration to benefit the UK.
• Engage on policy issues related to science and technology from time to time, as required.
• Influence locally to promote UK interests as they pertain to a broad range of science and innovation sectors and/or climate and energy policy. Priority areas currently include: emerging technologies such as next generation AI, Quantum tech, and synthetic biology; climate science, energy research and cleantech.
• Provide pan-Canada leadership on a priority science and technology file, developing action plans with colleagues across Canada. Support other colleagues’ leadership and action plans in return.
• Compile and contribute to reports and briefings for UK stakeholders, including: Senior UK scientists, UK policy makers, Government Ministers and Parliament.
• Manage projects, visits and events (virtual and physical) relating to science and innovation. This may include organising meetings and visits for Government ministers, senior Departmental officials, representatives from science/innovation funding agencies, universities.
• Contribute to broader British Consulate-General and SIN Canada initiatives and programmes in support of UK interests, such as being part of the Consulate’s response to a crisis affecting British Nationals. Seek areas of overlap where science and innovation work can support others’ priorities too.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

This role will enable you to put your leadership skills to the test. You’ll have direct line management responsibilities as well as setting pan-Canada objectives. You will be expected to develop project proposals with budgets in the CA$10,000s as well as ensuring relentless focus on delivery by the team. 

• Bachelor’s degree with significant professional experience of 6 years+ ideally in public policy related to science, technology, innovation or climate.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain senior, diverse networks and influence others, including members of the public, science community, and senior government officials.
• Excellent communicator who is comfortable explaining technical issues to non-technical seniors.
• Committed and enthusiastic about the role of science in policymaking, science diplomacy, and its increasing role in international affairs.
• Proven ability to work independently, multitasking whilst motivating a team to deliver.
• Consistent and positive contributor to team culture who includes and invests in those in the team.
• Committed to your own learning and development and relish new challenges and variety.
• Considers the range of communications options to get messages across.

Language requirements: 

Language: English
Level of language required: Fluent
Operational French would be an asset but is not essential.