Director of International Geoscience

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British Geological SurveyDIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL GEOSCIENCEGrade: UKRI Pay Band G/S2
Salary: £71,792 to £78,971 per annum (depending on skills and experience)

A great benefits package is offered!, including an outstanding pension scheme (with an extremely generous employer contribution - on average 27% of your pay), 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full-time - 37 hours a week (some flexible and remote working options may be available)

Location: BGS headquarters in Nottingham or BGS offices in Edinburgh (You will be required to regularly travel to other BGS offices as well as travelling nationally and internationally to attend key partnership events to promote the work and science of BGS)
Closing date: Wednesday 23 October 2024About the role
The exciting new BGS position of Director of International Geoscience (DIG) is the strategic scientific lead for delivering the globalisation of the BGS research programme. You will lead a programme across the BGS structure delivered by a small international team alongside 150-200 staff from teams across the BGS science programmes. The key objectives of the role are:

1. To deliver the globalisation of BGS science to grow our international reputation and impact and ensure the relevance of our research. Support UK Government objectives in soft power, international development and Global Public Good.

The DIG is responsible for oversight of BGS international activities and is supported by a small team to deliver a programme of research, global stakeholder engagement, and business development aligned to the BGS Strategy.

This responsibility includes maximising synergies across the BGS science challenge areas, managing global reputational risks, ensuring best practice in Health & Safety (H&S) and project execution.

As part of the BGS International portfolio, the DIG is responsible for developing and delivering the programme of international research and innovation, and Official Overseas Development Assistance. This comprises a portfolio of individual projects working with around 40 public sector, academic and partner organisations across Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, south and east Asia, and the UK Overseas Territories.

2. To be an active member of the Senior Management Board, contributing to the strategic leadership and corporate governance of BGS.

As a member of the Senior Management Board (SMB) the DIG contributes to setting strategic corporate priorities for BGS. This responsibility also includes planning, implementation, day to day leadership and management of BGS and leading and contributing to working groups and committees. The DIG advises the SMB and BGS Board on the future of international programmes required to underpin the delivery of the BGS strategy and business objectives.

As a member of the Science Strategy Group (SSG) the DIG works closely with colleagues to develop a coherent long-term science programme. This includes strategic overview of skills, ensuring up-to-date workforce plans and the proactive development of future capability. Within the SSG, the DIG develops criteria for prioritisation and resource allocation of public task funding within BGS, reviews the performance of current science topics and agrees targets for external income generation.
Key duties / responsibilities

• Oversee, lead, develop and deliver a diverse and integrated portfolio ensuring globalisation of the entire breadth of BGS science.
• Actively contribute to the strategic science leadership and corporate governance of BGS though membership of SMB and SSG.
• Represent BGS to external stakeholders, especially in terms of geological knowledge services and information. Work with colleagues to co-ordinate BGS's relationships with external key partners/collaborators and other stakeholders, ensuring that BGS has a network of external partnerships, both nationally and internationally including foreign GSO's and government departments.
• Have oversight of global reputational risks, ensuring that best practice in H&S, project execution and international stakeholder relations, and maximising synergies across the BGS science challenges.
• Engage as necessary with the BGS Science Advisory Committee and the BGS Board on the development and delivery of the overall science strategy for the BGS as an international centre of excellence for geosciences in a way that maximises and demonstrates its impact.
• Lead the International leadership team, setting clear direction and objectives and performance management processes against programme objectives and budgets to ensure delivery of the BGS Strategy and business plan.
• Work with the Challenge Programme Manager in your challenge area and across the other challenge areas to ensure a fit for purpose, well skilled scientific workforce for the future BGS.
• Responsibility for adhering to all BGS / UKRI policies, processes and procedures, including formal staff management, procurement and funding.
• Ensure positive health, safety, wellbeing, and environmental performance across the International Geoscience area. Invest in developing a more pro-active, good practice around international travel and fieldwork H&S.
• Act as a scientific mentor and leadership role model in relation to BGS's values and its commitment to equality, diversity and the creation of an inclusive working environment, ensuring that these values and principles are clearly reflected in the BGS science strategy and in day-to-day management.
• Ensure international programme activities operate in line with BGS' Research Ethics and Research Integrity policy.
• Contribute to visible geoscience through leadership at conferences, meetings, workshops, events and media content, with the ability to translate for non-technical and public audiences.

About you
The specific essential and desirable skills criteria for this post will be assessed at Shortlist (S) stage, interview (I) stage, or both (S&I).
Essential

• Strong senior management and leadership experience with a proven ability to set direction and to develop and implement strategy (S&I)
• A successful track record of overseeing the delivery of projects, (both scientific impact/outcomes and financial/programme) (S&I)
• A PhD in a relevant science field, or equivalent comparable work experience (S)
• A strong science profile evidenced by, for example: peer-reviewed published papers, conference presentations, including keynote addresses; senior journal editorial experience; a large portfolio of successful scientific grant proposals and industry/government related contract agreements (S&I)
• Excellent communication skills, evidenced by clear examples of good negotiating and influencing skills (S&I)
• Experience of identifying and securing significant external income opportunities (S&I)
• Awareness and understanding of the BGS Strategy and Public Science Role as well as wider earth science sector issues (S&I)
• Ability to handle multidimensional problems, overcoming barriers and developing creative solutions to continually improve (S&I)

Desirable

• Evidence of the ability to develop strategic and institutional relationships and collaborations with multiple, complex stakeholders, both at a national and international level (S&I)
• Familiarity with Public Sector Information and other relevant legislative issues (S)

Please note - you will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during your employment.
About us
The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that belongs to UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and is affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey whose core mission is to advise government of science related to the subsurface and to undertake applied research to solve earth and environmental issues, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI, as well as through research grants and private sector contracts.

We strive to promote equality and diversity across our organisation in order to continuously improve our scientific and organisational efficiency! As such, we aim to have a workforce with employees from all backgrounds with people who are passionate about earth science and who share our dedication to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society. BGS became a signatory of the Technician Commitment in July 2022.
How to apply
Applicants are required to include a CV and covering letter outlining their suitability for the role. We would stress the importance of this paperwork in our selection process.

A well thought through application providing evidence and examples of how you meet the advertised essential and desirable criteria for the post will be considered far more favourably than a generic covering letter and CV.

If you experience any issues applying for this role, please contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Wednesday 23 October 2024. Interviews are expected to be held on either 7, 8 or 11 November 2024 in Nottingham.

About The British Geological Survey (BGS)

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is an applied geoscience research centre that is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and affiliated to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). It is a world leading geological survey that provides a core science mission to inform government of science related to the subsurface and its interfaces and also undertakes applied research for solutions to earth and environmental processes, both in the UK and globally. It is funded directly by UKRI as well as through research grants and via private sector contracts.

BGS has an annual budget of approximately £60 million and employs 650 people. It has two main sites, a head office in Keyworth near Nottingham and the Lyell Centre, which is a joint collaboration with Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh. BGS works with more than 150 private sector organisations as well as having close links with 40 universities and sponsors approximately 100 PhD students each year.

How to Apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit your CV and a covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation forBGSand the role you're applying for. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit your application without a covering letter may result in your application not being considered. You will only be assessed on the content of your CV and covering letter and not the 'experience' section of the application.

About UKRI

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK's innovation agency, Innovate UK to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, and a vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to flourish and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.