View Vacancy - Social Secretary and Support Officer, UKDEL NATO (BEL22.576)

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 (Residence and Support Staff)
UKDEL (UK Delegation to NATO)

The United Kingdom’s Joint Delegation to NATO (UKDEL) is part of a world-wide network of 230 Diplomatic Posts, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. It is the vital link between the UK Government and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Its principal roles are to support UK Ministers to promote British interests in NATO and maintain a strong political and military Alliance providing security for almost a billion people. The UK’s Joint Delegation is now looking for a Social Secretary and Support Officer working within the UK Diplomatic Residence at Ducale and the UK Joint Delegation to NATO at NATO HQ.

 

As Social Secretary, you will be a part of the Ambassador’s Private Office team, leading on planning and delivery of official events, such as breakfasts, lunches, receptions and dinners.  You will take the lead on event logistics outside the Residence, including at NATO HQ, and will work closely with the Ducale Residence Manager on events held at the Residence.

 

In addition, you will provide diary management and admin support to the UKDEL Deputy Head of Mission (DHM) and support the UKDEL Comms Teams on public outreach events. 

 

You will need to be capable to work independently or in a small team when required in, a high-profile and fast-paced environment.  You will need to be flexible, including under pressure, and discreet at all times.

 

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Social Secretary

  • Organise the Ambassador’s entertainment schedule in conjunction with the Ambassador and the Ambassador’s Private Office;
  • Liaise with the Ambassador’s Private Office and external caterers as required to ensure smooth delivery of official events hosted at the Residence, at NATO HQ, and at other locations;
  • Liaise with the Ducale Residence Manager on all UKDEL events held at the Residence;
  • Manage invitations to guests, arrange menu printing, name cards and seating plans;
  • Lead on event set-up and breakdown for events at the Residence or in the Delegation;
  • Assist with simple catering tasks, serving refreshments and supporting events held elsewhere;
  • Be available at short notice, including occasional evenings and very rarely on weekends;
  • Observe health, safety and security guidance to provide a compliant, safe and hygienic working environment, preventing accidents and security breaches; 
  • Provide ad hoc support to the Personal Assistant to the Deputy Permanent Representative.

 

Deputy Head of Mission (DHM) Support

  • Manage the DHM’s diary, including setting up and rearranging meetings, and organising catering;
  • Provide admin support, including printing and distribution of documents;
  • As a member of the UKDEL support staff, you will be required to assist with the transfer of documents from NATO to UK IT systems.  This usually consists of half a day each week.

 

Comms Support

  • Support the UKDEL Comms Team in organising public diplomacy and external outreach events, including managing invitations lists and event set up;
  • Provide additional support for the Comms Team, covering leave as requested or at particularly busy times such as in the lead up to NATO Ministerials and Summits;
  • For those with an interest, there is also the opportunity to get involved in further comms work, including media monitoring and attendance at NATO public-facing events.

 

Specific responsibilities are subject to change.  We are a flexible, supportive organisation and you may be asked to carry out other ad hoc duties in accordance with the needs of the operation or provide occasional cover for staff on leave. 

  • Fluency level of English language both oral and written (written and spoken, minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework*);
  • Confident, discreet, adaptable self-starter able to work effectively without supervision;
  • Ability to demonstrate high standards, effective prioritisation, and strong attention to detail;
  • Ability to multitask and demonstrate adaptability;
  • Flexibility in terms of working hours and duties – be prepared to work additional hours in support of events hosted by the Mission, including occasional evenings and very rarely at weekends;
  • Willing to take on new responsibilities when necessary;
  • Good interpersonal skills: someone who can negotiate effectively and deliver under pressure whilst treating others with respect;
  • Ability and willingness to undertake manual tasks;
  • Strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Good IT and multimedia skills (e.g. Microsoft Office).
  • Fluency level of French language both oral and written.
  • Basic food preparation skills;
Changing and Improving, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
29 November 2022
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
36.25
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
UK Joint Delegation to NATO, Brussels
UK Delegation
1
EUR
€3,849.03 (gross)
2 January 2023

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

 

The monthly gross salary for this position is € 3,849.03, Administrative Officer (AO) level. In addition, we offer an extensive salary package, which includes a 13th month, luncheon vouchers, pension scheme, optional hospitalisation insurance (subject to monthly employee contribution), reimbursement of public transport and a lot more. We offer more days of annual leave than the Belgian requirements.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

Passport: officers are expected to be in possession of a passport due to the possibility that they may be asked to undertake business travel.

 

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates 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.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Please note, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C2 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.

Please be advised 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.