View Vacancy - Policy & Events Internship (BEL19.180)
The British Diplomatic Missions in Brussels are part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas, and are now recruiting for a Policy & Events Internship in Scotland House Brussels.
Scotland House Brussels is offering 3 recent graduates the opportunity to gain professional experience in Brussels, completing an 11 month Policy & Events Internship. Interns will provide support to the Scottish Government and Scotland Europa across a range of policy and events related tasks.
About Scotland House
Scotland House Brussels is responsible for representing Scotland’s political, economic, social, environmental and cultural interests to the EU Institutions and Member States of the European Union and wider diplomatic, economic and European partners in and around Brussels. This work is complemented by a programme of policy and cultural events which improve Scotland’s reputation internationally by providing an opportunity to showcase areas of particular Scottish expertise and innovation, to share best practice with European partners in areas of critical importance for Scotland, to contribute to European policy development and to invite others to share, celebrate and enjoy our vibrant and diverse cultural heritage and renowned hospitality.
Scotland House Brussels is home to:
Scottish Government EU Office – which ensures that Scotland’s interests, expertise and ambition are understood by European Institutions and other Member States and Regions. The Brussels based staff, in collaboration with policy leads in Scotland, provide support to Scottish Ministers and senior officials travelling to Brussels to participate in events and other programmes of EU engagement. The office monitors EU policy developments and actively engages with representatives from the EU institutions, UK counterparts and stakeholders in all areas of EU competence. They also support work to protect Scotland’s interests with regard to Brexit.
Scotland Europa is a membership-based organisation that promotes Scotland’s interests across the institutions of the European Union and to the representatives of Europe’s regions and Member States. Scotland Europa membership brings together a wide range of Scottish organisations, including public authorities, universities and research institutes, local government, trade unions and voluntary organisations. This diverse partnership gives us a variety of perspectives on Scottish interests in Europe and an influential voice in European affairs. Scotland Europa also part of Scottish Enterprise – Scotland’s main economic, enterprise, innovation and investment agency.
Scottish Development International is the international arm of Scotland’s enterprise agencies, supporting Scottish businesses with their trade and investment portfolio to help establish and grow their businesses in Scotland and worldwide.
Main Duties and Responsbilities:
- Support policy colleagues on a range of tasks including horizon scanning of upcoming EU policy and producing policy alerts, reports, briefings, publications and weekly newsletters for Scottish Government officials as well as Scotland Europa member organisations;
- Support the European Parliament Liaison officer on engagement with the European Parliament;
- Attend external meetings and events to provide read-outs to policy officers;
- Work with the Events Team to organise a number of policy and cultural events and Ministerial visits to Brussels and support the smooth running and execution of conferences organised by external clients in the Scotland House Conference Centre, which will on occasion entail working in the early evening;
- Assist Senior Managers and policy staff within the office with a range of administrative tasks including diary and travel management
- Manage the Scotland House reception desk, as first point of contact for all visitors to Scotland House and handle general enquiries;
- Support the team in managing the content of the Scotland House websites and social media accounts.
The intern posts will involve contact with the EU institutions and the UK Permanent Representation to the EU (UKRep), the representations of other EU Member States and regions as well as key European networks Scotland House partners are engaged in.
In addition to these core responsibilities, a certain degree of flexibility is inherent in the role depending on changing policy priorities, as well as the personal skills and interests of the successful candidates.
Further information about Scotland House can be found at:
- https://beta.gov.scot/policies/europe/
- https://www.scotlandeuropa.com
- https://www.sdi.co.uk
- @ScotlandHouseEU
- @ScotGovEurope
- @ScotlandEuropa
- @ScotDevInt
University Degree;
A keen interest in EU / European policy and an understanding of the EU institutions and processes;
A good knowledge of Scottish affairs and interest in promoting Scotland’s reputation internationally;
Strong communication, interpersonal and team working skills;
Relevant academic / work / voluntary experience;
Good research, writing and strong IT skills including use of Microsoft Office and social media;
- Fluent level of English.
- Good level of French would be desirable.
This is a full-time professional immersion traineeship with the duration of 11 months, 36.25 hours net for 5 working days a week.
The professional immersion indemnity for this position is €1.300.
Additional benefits including allowances for public transport and daily subsistence costs of €7 per work day are also provided.
Interns will have access to 11 days of paid annual leave and 10 days of self-funded leave for the duration of the 11 month employment contract.
As the nature of the events related work will occasionally entail working in the early evening, TOIL (time off in lieu) is given.
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.
Visa/passport requirements: must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Belgium and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. These requirements will be explained in more detail during the interview process.
It is expected that the successful candidates will start with a week’s training in Glasgow/Edinburgh before travelling out to Brussels.
Professional Immersion Traineeship Requirements:
- Be a minimum of 18 years old;
- Proof of valid medical coverage for the period of the internship (European Health Insurance Card);
- 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 advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
We expect to hold interviews the week of 24 June in Scotland and that further details about interviews will be communicated to successful candidates in due course.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
