Main purpose of job:
This position is part of the UK’s global Science and Technology Netowkr, jointly owned by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The three priority themes for the Science and Innovation Network’s work are: critical and emerging technologies; global health; and climate and environment”.
The Global Issues team within BHC Kuala Lumpur covers Foreign & Security Policy issues alongside Climate and Environment, and Science and Innovation (S&I). It focuses on understanding Global issues through the Malaysian prism, seeking to build relationships and influence policy in line with UK objectives through advocacy and targeted programme activity. The Global Issues team is a diverse and highly motivated team, working on issues that continue to rise up the political agenda. We come to work to make a difference. The jobholder will work closely with the Senior Science and Innovation Officer, as well as with the wider Global Issues Team, SEA Regional Science and Innovation Network, and regional programme/finance/comms networks.
As the Science and Innovation Officer, you will work with the Senior Science and Innovation Officer to facilitate and strengthen UK-MY Science and Innovation (S&I) cooperation. Areas of cooperation include diverse priority areas and sectors such as critical technologies (AI, Engineering Biology, Quantum Computing, Semiconductors, Advanced Communication), climate and health for UK Growth.
You will drive UK-MY science diplomacy hence supporting the expansion of UK’s science strengths, unlocking new and more opportunities for the UK to collaborate with Malaysia in key science areas and open up potential to lead to investment in the UK and opportunities for our businesses. You will facilitate Government- Government collaboration on science and innovation, engaging closely with Ministries, Research & Development funders and innovation agencies from both UK and Malaysia. Outcomes will build on the existing strong partnership and will include: developing new joint research programmes; new academic partnerships; and seeding new commercial opportunities for the UK.
To achieve these ambitions, you will lead or support the design, planning and delivery of activities/programmes. You will harness the Seed Fund and/or build the business case to tap into emerging funding opportunities. A key part of the role is also to manage programme finance and administrative tasks and conduct stakeholder mapping exercises. You will contribute to the delivery of the British High Commission’s Country Business Plan and the STN Business plan while responding to the UK’s latest strategies and ambition on Science, Technology and Innovation.
Please note that this is a fixed-term role with limited potential for extension due to funding constraints. It presents a valuable opportunity for individuals seeking to break into the field of Science and Technology, offering hands-on experience in how a High Commission operates. The role also provides a unique chance to build networks across UK and Malaysian academia, industry, and government.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
Core responsibilities of the job include:
Business planning
Programme Management: support to manage the delivery of programmes, with oversight from STN lead by:
Budget management, Finance and Administration: Manage programmes/projects for Seed Fund and other relevant incoming programme funds. Provide a forecast of spend, record and maintain programme expenditure details accurately and provide financial reporting using FCDO accounting tools, support procurement processes in line with UK Programme Operating Framework and guidelines.
Science and public diplomacy: Collaborate with the Communications team at post to design and release public communication materials for S&T campaigns and activities that will highlight UK science and innovation strengths, capabilities and priorities.
Research, Mapping and Reporting: Support to monitor impact of activities/programmes against the business plan, and support to generate country reports accordingly for wider sharing and post updates through SharePoint with the wider team. Build substantial understanding of Malaysia’s S&I landscape to inform policies and briefings and contribute to develop SIN contacts database. Attend relevant activity and events, participate in meetings where relevant, and ensure follow up.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
Programme funds of approx. £25K annually.
Language requirements:
Language: English
Level of language required: Fluent - Spoken and Written
This role is advertised as a full-time, fixed term role until March 2026.
We expect applicants to have a positive attitude and to be eager to learn. You will bring a different voice and perspective to our team: that is valuable to us, and we will encourage share your ideas. You will have access to learning and development opportunities available to interns.
The jobholder will receive training according to the role, have full access to the UK Diplomatic Academy and online training resources and will be encouraged to take full advantage of both formal and informal learning events as and when available and relevant.
The jobholder will undertake a workplace induction and a number of mandatory e-learning courses covering areas such as diversity, health and safety, and information management.
Working hours:
This is a full-time role (36 hours per week Mon-Fri)
Monday – Thursday 08:00 – 16:30, Friday 08:00 – 13:15 (with flexibility around start/finish times)
The British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is committed to flexible/hybrid working as part of our inclusive offering. This includes flexi-hours and up to two days per week working from home, in agreement with a jobholder’s line manager.
Please ensure that your application is authentically written based on your own experiences. If AI tools are used, their usage must only be limited to specific tasks such as ensuring formatting consistency and keyword relevance. The core content, personal narratives, and responses to behaviour and skill-based questions must genuinely reflect your professional journey, experiences, and achievements. We place great importance on originality and individual effort throughout the application process. Any form of plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification.
Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.
Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.
Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.
To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
