View Vacancy - Senior Parliamentary Officer - UK Representation to the EU (BEL908)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
UKREP (UK Representation to the EU)

The UK Permanent Representation to the EU (UKRep) works within the EU and its member states to maximise British influence on issues such as trade, the single market and economic growth and is now looking for two Senior Parliamentary Officers to work in the Political Section on a range of high priority issues.

This is a high profile, exciting role offering a unique overview of working with the UK Government, the EU institutions and other stakeholders. The successful applicants can expect to engage directly with MEPs to represent UK views and positions, as well as taking the initiative to advise UKREP, Whitehall officials and UK Ministers on EP negotiating dynamics, devising strategies for meeting UK Ministers’ objectives for EU legislation and preparing for the UK’s departure from the EU. The successful applicants will also have strong influencing abilities and an understanding of how to deliver positive results with the European Parliament (EP).

 

Main responsibilities:

  • To gather information and monitor political and legislative developments in the EP. The two posts will be focussing more specifically on the policy areas of internal market, trade, budget and financial services;
  • To report back to Whitehall on parliamentary debates, votes and other events, and on dialogue with MEPs, their assistants and EP staff, providing London with insight into developments and high quality analysis of implications for UK policy, travelling to London to do so in person as appropriate;
  • To advise colleagues in Whitehall on how to maximise UK influence in the EP, and plan strategies for delivering Ministers’ objectives; including through helping deliver effective visits;
  • To convincingly present UK positions orally and in writing, both formally and informally to MEPs, their assistants and EP staff;
  • To identify, build-up and maintain a broad and effective network of contacts in the EP and to help others in UKREP to do so. Use those contacts to promote UK policy interests in the EP;
  • To attend Parliamentary Committees, plenary sessions of Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg, seminars and other relevant events, sometimes outside of office hours;
  • To coach and support staff in UKREP and the UK in developing expertise on the EP, its personalities, procedures and politics. This includes ensuring the quality of written briefing for MEPs, advising on working with EP; and giving training on working with the EP.
  • A familiarity with the policy issues covered by the role, in particular the Digital Single Market;
  • A strong understanding of the roles, structures and procedures of the EP, preferably through direct experience of working or engaging successfully with MEPs;
  • Strong interpersonal skills. Proven ability to form professional relationships and build trust with a wide range of contacts including at senior and political level;
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills. The ability to present an argument clearly and persuasively, varying your communication style to suit your audience;
  • Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage conflicting priorities and deliver effectively with a ‘can do’ attitude when working under pressure;
  • Proven team player as well as ability to work autonomously on own initiative;
  • Ability to familiarise yourself with complex issues;
  • Fluent written and spoken English.
  • Good IT literacy;
  • Good presentation skills;
  • Experience of managing official social media accounts;
  • Command of other EU languages.
20 September 2016
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Full-time, Permanent
36.25
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
UK Permanent Representation to the European Union, Brussels
Political Office
2
EUR
3,444.87 gross
1 November 2016

This is a full-time, permanent contract, for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week.

The monthly salary for this position is €3,444.87, C4 (L) level (The British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium salaries are not subject to annual indexation).

Please note that Belgian nationals will be paid their salary gross and are expected to comply with their tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Belgian authorities. Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Belgian tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.

The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.

Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.