View Vacancy - Public Diplomacy Intern (NLD22.293)
The British Embassy in The Hague is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas, and is looking for a Public Diplomacy Intern.
The main purpose of the internship will be to support the Policy team with various public diplomacy events and activities in the second half of 2022 and the start of 2023. Now that society has opened up after the Covid-19 pandemic, the embassy is expanding its efforts to engage externally, including with the diplomatic community, government and non-government contacts, and the wider public in the Netherlands. The successful candidate will have a unique opportunity to learn about public diplomacy in action, to gain direct exposure to the workings of an important bilateral embassy and how the Policy team in this embassy functions.
This is a fast-paced internship aimed at gaining experience in designing and delivering all aspects of diplomatic events. Under the supervision of a Policy Officer, the successful candidate will be involved in all aspects of the projects, ranging from what the event will look like (theme, entertainment, sponsorship, catering, etc) and dealing directly with the suppliers and sponsors needed to make the event happen, to managing the guest list and invitation process, managing the event budget, working with the Communications team on public relations (press, social media) and ensuring logistics arrangements have been taken into account. The intern will work closely together with colleagues from teams across the Embassy.
Main roles and responsibilities:
- 25% - Event design: Design events at the embassy and/or Ambassador’s Residence, including food and drink provision, banners and displays/messaging, entertainment, wet weather preparation etc. Lead on procurement of goods and services. Work with the Policy Officer and residence team to ensure all logistical requirements are understood and taken into account during the project design and development phase. Work with Corporate Services to create, monitor and manage event budgets; work with the Department for International Trade team to secure sponsorship for events as necessary.
- 40% - Event preparation: Arrange invitation processes for events from start to finish, including: populating the guest list, designing and commissioning the production of invitations, overseeing their distribution and the RSVP process. Work with event planning committees and the lead officer(s) for the event, act as a point of contact to wider Embassy team and external contacts regarding event planning, providing information or escalating queries or concerns for action as necessary. Planning, including arranging meetings and creating the agenda, taking meeting records, keeping all records and paperwork filed and keeping members updated.
- 25% - Logistics: Assist the lead officer(s) and other Embassy teams in ensuring logistical support during events is planned out and delivered, including recruitment and briefing of staff volunteers, setting out arrangements for press handling, security, and VIP requirements, and liaising with external suppliers and the Ambassador’s Residence staff as necessary. Create a comprehensive and realistic schedule for the setup, event, and cleanup phases of the event. On the day of the event, as the lead for all event-related questions.
- 10% - Evaluation: After the event, ensure that the project is formally closed, invoices are paid, and (if necessary) produce a detailed report of the event, including recommendations for future events, including feedback from all stakeholders.
NB: The above breakdown of responsibilities is subject to changes in priorities, and may need to be altered over time and in response to changing circumstances. The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times.
- Fluency at a C level (both written and spoken) in English*
- Ability to work to deadlines;
- Highly flexible and adaptable;
- Proactive, independent and self-motivated
- Ability to liaise effectively and productively with staff and clients at all levels of seniority
- Experience of organising events/teams/projects
- Fluency at a C level (both written and spoken) in Dutch*
The successful candidate will be offered a six months internship. The duration of the internship allows for some flexibility to take into account specific demands which may be set by Dutch higher education institutions.
The successful candidate will receive a flat compensation rate of € 400 per month based on a 20 hour week.
The successful candidate will be offered an internship subject to successful professional background checks and security clearance checks.
The Embassy encourages a culture of continuous learning. All employees have access to the Civil Service Learning platform which gives access to training to improve job specific skills. Employees are entitled to a minimum number of annual training days.
The British Embassy promotes and demonstrates the key values of Professionalism, Respect and Honesty.
Visa/work permit requirements: candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in The Netherlands and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in The Netherlands.
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.
*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.
Under the terms of the UK/NL Double Taxation Convention (Article 18 1(b)(ii), UK nationals who move to The Netherlands to take up their new role at the Embassy/Consulate and UKB spouse who start working at the Embassy with no previous record of working in the Netherlands since the arrival of the UKB partner they accompany, will be placed on a tax abated salary if deemed to be eligible for Dutch income tax exemption on their salary. Qualifying staff will have no Dutch tax levied on their salary and will therefore be paid a lower salary abated by the amount of tax they would have had to pay if that local liability existed. A tax abated salary ensures a fair and comparable take home pay. Staff on tax abated salaries cannot claim tax benefits in The Netherlands but they are fully and comprehensively covered for social security and deemed to be resident local staff for all intents and purposes.
The job description is subject to changes and may evolve over time and in response to changing circumstances. The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
