Policy Advisor (Asia)

Job Scope:

The Royal Society is the independent scientific academy of the UK, dedicated to recognising, promoting and supporting excellence in science and encouraging the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. It is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering and medicine.

The International Affairs team is a critical part of embedding this perspective across the work of the Society.

As well as supporting delivery of our work on South Asia, you will also work flexibly on a number of projects, often in cross-sectional teams involving external partners, whilst also contributing to the work of the section as a whole.

Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Interviews will be held: 5 June 2025

Responsibilities:

• Monitoring developments in international science and policy, horizon scanning and producing regular briefings and updates for Fellows and colleagues
• Organising meetings and events, preparing agendas, background papers, presentations and minutes
• Leading on small projects or parts of larger programmes, ensuring they are delivered on time, on budget and in scope
• Building and maintaining a relevant network of contacts and databases
• Promoting the Society’s work to increase its impact with international audiences
• Supporting the work of the Senior Policy Advisor (Asia) on the Society’s work across the wider region
• Contributing to other activities within the Royal Society as required

Key Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Knowledge of and some experience in international science, policy or international relations in South Asia, with a particular focus on India (desirable)
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to write for a variety of audiences
• Able to convey complex and sensitive information and ideas effectively
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage conflicting deadlines
• Ability to use own initiative and contribute new ideas
• Ability to work effectively in a team and interact with people at all levels of seniority

Circumstances

Able to be flexible about working hours and undertake travel on occasions. We anticipate this position will involve travel to the region around once a year (for up to a week duration) and may also involve some other trips as needed from time to time.

• A proactive self-starter, who is open and curious about issues in international science and able to draw on this to seize opportunities and improve performance
• A confident communicator, who acts with honesty, integrity, professionalism, manages expectations and considers wider political, social and cultural contexts
• An adaptive and resilient team player, able to plan, deliver and prioritise under pressure, proposes solutions to problems that take account of risks and how to manage them

Competencies:

Pay Band D – Role Descriptor and Competencies

At Band D you will hold a role as a Senior Specialist or Professional in your field. Pay Band D roles are described in the following dimensions:

Decision-making - You organise and undertake a range of specialist tasks. You take action, makes decisions or recommendations within established policies or guidelines which are standard for your area of work. You seek guidance on complex or unfamiliar matters.

Thinking challenges - You undertake the analysis needed to find the best solution to unusual situations or issues where the answer is not available through existing policies, standards or procedures. You use your initiative to investigate new ways of working or to improve policies or procedures.

Communicating - You shares and present information or ideas to others, tailoring your language, style and media used to meet the needs of varied situations and responds to specialist queries. If your role demands, you make new contacts and participate in external networks on behalf of Royal Society.

Developing people – You are likely to have direct line responsibility for one or more staff members in a narrow field of work. If you are in a specialist role, you advise, guide or train others in a specific discipline or field of work.

Managing Resources – You are likely to have delegated responsibility for allocating resources, for reconciling financial information or for monitoring and recording use of a delegated budget.

Applying knowledge & expertise - You apply your specialist or technical skills in a specific area of expertise that requires theoretical understanding gained through vocational or professional qualification, practical knowledge and skill, or equivalent level of expertise obtained through relevant specialist experience.

The competency levels for a pay Band D role are described below.

• Works unsupervised and can motivate self
• Produces results under pressure
• Can manage in stressful situations
• Pushes for the best results
• Pursues and encourages feedback that may reveal an error in judgment and then makes appropriate adjustments
• Recognises own personal biases or limitations, and uses this understanding to improve decisions and plans for action
• Seeks out mentors and other development resources to gain additional self-awareness and personal development
• Reflects on negative situations with maturity and seeks to understand own contribution to the situation
• Holds things together and acts as a settling influence

• Contributes ideas and identifies opportunities to work with others both within the team and across the organisation
• Willing to provide feedback to sectional colleagues when requested
• Produces succinct presentations and papers for senior colleagues
• Understands when to seek senior advice on potentially delicate negotiations
• Reaches a variety of audiences using an appropriate mix of communication methods and tailored messages to appeal to their unique needs
• Speaks from the heart to compel action and creates an emotional appeal for organisational priorities
• Creates an environment of transparency while respecting confidentiality requirements
• Builds consensus for delivering team goals. Frequently interacts with peers, on cross-functional matters.

• Makes the best of internal/external resources and coordinates well with external partners to best meet the needs of the Society
• Builds contingency into projects taking into account possible outside factors
• Sets and monitors performance against quality and results orientated targets.
• Focuses on both short and long-term goals
• Creates novel solutions to problems
• Creates a detailed design or plan to implement a new solution or approach
• Evaluates new technology as potential solutions to existing issues.
• Adjusts course as new information comes to light
• Executes quickly and decisively in a time-sensitive situation
• Takes accountability to persist until opportunity is realised or problem solved

• Determines and clarifies the exact requirements of any situation
• Checks information for accuracy and raises concerns if information is inaccurate
• Extracts the key points succinctly, clearly and accurately
• Puts forward suggestions for improvement concerning current processes or systems
• Tries different ways of doing things to get the best results
• Compares and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of options
• Formulates an opinion by considering opposing views and suggestions
• Runs trials and models or applies statistical analysis and stress testing to confirm or disconfirm proposal

• Overcomes obstacles and is not deterred by setbacks; checks assumptions and first principles and works out alternative approaches
• Reacts proactively to new challenges and works in a flexible manner to produce solutions
• Provides feedback and participates in discussions surrounding new ideas approaches or projects
• Maintains focus and continues to deliver when things are ‘up in the air’
• Adjusts to act differently depending on the situation
• Takes steps to understand basic risk management and importance of identifying and maintaining controls
• Helps others to understand and cope with ambiguous situations

• Delegates effectively, setting clear expectations and authority
• Monitors results and feedbacks to team on a regular basis
• Recognises others’ contributions and acknowledges their limits
• Helps others to identify ways to improve their performance
• Prioritises supervisory responsibilities and carries them out in a timely fashion
• Understands and can identify client/stakeholder/staff needs and looks for opportunities to improve their experiences
• Demonstrates trust in others’ ability to accomplish tasks at acceptable levels of performance
• Provides current, direct, complete and actionable positive and constructive feedback
• Has a mind-set of sharing own and others’ expertise
• Creates an environment of transparency while respecting confidentiality requirements
• Focuses on surfacing underlying customer issues/concerns and identifying root causes
• Increases exposure to and personal relationships with customers
• Expresses positive views of the customer