View Vacancy - Defence Relations Officer (ITA21.260)

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Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
MOD (Ministry of Defence)

The British Embassy in Rome is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Defence Relations Officer (C4L) to work in the Defence Section to the Defence Attaché in strengthening the bilateral defence and security relationship between Italy and the UK. Managing the two Defence Officers (B3L), one support staff (A2L) and have a supervisory role of the local MoD team.

Main duties and responsibilities:

- Report, advise and reply to enquiries/requests from Ministry of Defence (MOD) UK (including EURC, DE&S, FMC & Outer Offices), DIT/DSE and MOD Italy, attachés and wider Embassy staff;

- Monitor, analyse and assess trends in Italian defence matters, including defence reform, restructuring and spending, and keep MODUK, FCO, Italy Political Network and Defence Section informed of these trends by:

  • Producing an annual report on the Italian defence budget, with assessment and comment;
  • Providing input, especially on budget matters, as required for: Defence Section reports; for scene-setters for visiting VIPs and delegations; for the structured Dialogue; for 5-Power NAD Briefings; VCDS Reports; for diptels; for reporting by the Embassy Political Section;
  • Producing updated Italy Defence Fact Sheets with political, economic and defence/military details, every 3/4 months, and a version for public consumption for DIT/DSE Milan;
  • Reporting on any significant developments in defence reform and restructuring as they occur; Maintaining a CV Folder on Italian defence personalities.

- Contribute to the bilateral relationship and interoperability between UK & Italy MODs and Armed Forces by:

  • Setting up high-level, official visits to Italy by senior MOD visitors together with the DA (briefing material, detailed arrangements and programme);
  • Creating and maintaining good working relationships with contacts in the Italian MOD, in particular with the Defence Minister’s Outer Office, SEGREDIFESA/National Armaments Directorate and Stato Maggiore Difesa;
  • Supporting, maintaining contact and exchanging information with the UK Exchange Officer in the Italian Defence Staff;
  • Facilitating attendance of MODUK defence courses by Italian personnel and keeping track of Alumni with promising careers;
  • Advising on/overseeing support for all UK EOs as regards status and NATO SOFA entitlements;
  • Advising on, and maintaining record of, Italy-UK Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to the Defence relationship.


- Support and process clearance for British military personnel for their sports activities or charity/cycle rides in Italy and transits through Italy with biathlon rifles during the military ski competition season;

- Process Request For Visits for visitors from Ministry of Defence and defence industry to Italian Defence/ Joint organisations;

- Contribute to Section team effort to produce guest lists for annual Defence Reception and Queen's Birthday Party;

- Lead on/coordinate appropriate participation in World War 1 and World War 2 commemorations in Italy (by HM Ambassador, Defence Section Attachés, UK Exchange Officers or others, as appropriate);

- Advise and support the Italy Star Association, the Monte Cassino Society, the Royal British Legion and other UK veterans’ organizations in their commemorative activities in Italy;

- Filter enquiries from the Italian public and authorities on a wide range of defence and military matters especially as regards World War 2 and coordinate/write replies, including on behalf of HM Ambassador;

- Undertake Defence Section Duty Officer responsibilities on a regular basis. Involves out of hours working (conducting by phone/laptop);

- Provide cover for other Defence Section Staff as necessary to ensure business continuity during routine periods of absence, including leave periods;

- Support wider Defence Section activity as required;

- Corporate – contribute to cross-cutting Embassy activities. Actively engage in corporate activities and initiatives in the Italy Network.

 •    Ability to work independently whilst being part of a team and make effective decisions;
•    Ability to prioritise effectively often pressing competing priorities and to work at pace;
•    Ability in planning often large scale events with accuracy and attention to detail;
•    Good oral and written communication skills;
•    Strong organisational skills;
•    Line management experience;
•    Ability to create a network of useful contacts in the Italian Defence sector;
•    Knowledge of MS Windows programmes/IT skills;

•    Knowledge of and interest in political affairs, defence and security issues;
•    Previous work experience in the Defence/Security sector or international organisations/Embassies.
28 July 2021
Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
35
12 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Italy
Rome
British Embassy
1
EUR
EUR 4,008
1 September 2021

This is a full-time temporary position with a contract of 12 months with possibility of renewal, graded C4(L) according to the FCDO grading structure. The monthly gross salary is € 4,008. The salary is paid monthly 14 times per year including € 10.33 EDR paid 13 times per year, with double salary payments in June and December. If working less than a full calendar year, the additional salary payments will be pro-rata.
Working hours are 35 hrs per week Monday to Friday 9:00 - 17:00.


The appointment is subject to security clearance, professional background check and the successful completion of a 6 month probationary period.

All staff employed by the British Embassy are subject to Italian income tax rate deductions (IRPEF).  However the administration of these tax payments will vary depending on nationality.


The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Italian State Social Security Scheme. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Rome are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Italian employment law.

When completing the motivation field please make sure you present clearly and concisely why are you applying for the position.

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 note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”. 

FCDO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCDO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

* Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices. 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.

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This opportunity is closed to applications.