View Vacancy - Welsh Government Administrative Internship (BEL20.188)
The British Diplomatic Missions in Brussels are part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas, and are now recruiting for a Welsh Government Administrative Intern in Wales House Brussels.
Welsh Government Brussels Office is offering a recent graduate, or person with demonstrable equivalent experience, the opportunity to gain professional experience in Brussels, completing an 11-month stagiaire (trainee) programme. The successful applicant will provide support to the team in the Office across a range of administrative, policy, communications and events related tasks.
About Welsh Government Brussels Office
The Brussels Office is responsible for leading and coordinating the interests of Welsh Government to Member States of the European Union, international networks and the European Institutions. It co-ordinates Welsh Government’s work in Brussels on Brexit, the UK’s future relationship with the EU, Wales’ partnerships and networks with other nations and regions, and supports trade and investment. It assists in providing support to Welsh Ministers and senior officials travelling to Brussels to participate in events and other programmes of engagement. It monitors European policy developments and actively engages with representatives from the EU institutions, UK counterparts and stakeholders in priority policy areas.
The Office undertakes a number of events to promote Wales’ interests and reputation. These focus on sharing Welsh expertise, good practice and innovation, on learning from partners to improve policy-making and governance in Wales, and on showcasing and promoting our excellent Welsh culture and food products.
The role of the Office will evolve in response to developments on Brexit to support Welsh Government interests.
The Welsh Government Brussels Office sits within Wales House Brussels that also includes a team representing Welsh Higher Education, and an office for the National Assembly for Wales.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support the team in the operation of social media accounts, databases and online activities;
- Work with the team to organise a number of policy, cultural and promotional events, and to develop new delivery methods to maintain visibility and engagement during the Covid-19 restrictions, with a particular focus on the effective use of social media;
- Assist the team, particularly the Head of Office and Office Manager, with a range of administrative tasks, including finance, diary management, and inventory;
- Support the policy team on a range of tasks including the running of the Vanguard network chaired by Welsh Government, horizon scanning of EU policy, production of reports and briefings;
- Assist as first point of contact for visitors to Wales House and handle general enquiries, including on the telephone.
The post will involve contact with the UK Mission to the EU (UKMis), the European Institutions, the representations of other EU Member States and regions, as well as key European networks.
The progress of the Brexit negotiations and the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic are influencing the workload priorities and the working pattern of the Brussels office. Consequently, in addition to the core responsibilities listed above, a certain degree of flexibility is inherent in the role depending on changing office priorities, requiring a positive approach to accepting varied tasks.
- University Degree (or equivalent professional experience);
- A keen interest in EU / European policy and an understanding of the EU institutions and processes;
- A good knowledge of Welsh affairs and interest in promoting Wales’ 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;
- Highest level of English language (C2 Proficient User in European Framework).
- Good level (B2) of French language, or possibly other EU languages, would be desirable;
- Some knowledge of Welsh language would also 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 unpaid 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 candidate will start with a few days of training in Wales 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 in the week of 6 July, probably online. Further details about interviews will be communicated to successful candidates in due course.
Further information:
- www.gov.wales
- @WelshGovernment
- @WalesinEU
- @InvestWales
- @FoodDrinkWales
This opportunity is closed to applications.
