View Vacancy - Business Policy Officer (POL21.304)

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 (Policy & Political roles)
Political

Poland is an important partner for the UK. The British Embassy Warsaw works to develop relations between all parts of Poland and all parts of the UK. Our work covers the breadth of the bilateral relationship, including political, commercial, security and economic issues of interest to both the UK and Poland, which we deliver under the framework of a Country Strategy setting out key objectives. Roles and responsibilities might evolve, in line with the Country Strategy.

The British Embassy Warsaw is committed to being an inclusive employer. We actively champion diversity and UK values, internally and externally. We value team working, flexibility, responsibility and creativity, as well as everyone’s contribution to making the Embassy a great place to work, where our people get good training and fulfil their potential.  We have a strong Learning and Development culture, organise regular in-house training opportunities, and encourage staff to take on opportunities for development.

The British Embassy in Poland is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Business Policy Officer.

You will need to be flexible, as the role and responsibilities will evolve, in line with the Country Strategy.

This job combines policy expertise and outreach to business, creating opportunities for co-operation between the UK and Poland, and influencing to deliver positive results for the UK. It is primarily about engagement with Polish government, business, and stakeholders, and providing advice for the UK government, in key sectors such as the digital economy, business services and agriculture. A flexible and enthusiastic approach is essential, along with a good understanding of EU policy, business and economic issues.

 

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Analysis, reporting and advice to senior Embassy colleagues and UK government on the Polish business environment, including tech and digital, business services and agriculture;
  • Promoting links between UK and Poland on tech and the digital economy, encouraging new partnerships in tech, and influencing government and stakeholders to support regulations and standards that promote digital trade;
  • Engage with government, business and stakeholders (including organising policy seminars/webinars) to develop relations under the new trading framework, especially in the business services, agri-food and transport industries, including tackling trade barriers in these sectors between UK and Poland;
  • Engage with business, including through public diplomacy and events, to encourage them to make net zero commitments on climate change;
  • Lead on organising an annual business forum with the Polish government;
  • Pro-actively build a network of contacts in the Polish government, in business and in civil society, and also with officials and stakeholders in the UK, with a view to promoting UK thinking to Polish interlocutors;
  • Work flexibly with other embassy teams, including in support of commercial aims (export and investment) with Department for International Trade (DIT), and also with counterparts in British Embassies in Central Europe and beyond;
  • If the Covid-19 situation allows, there may be future opportunities to travel in Warsaw and occasionally regionally or to the UK for official meetings; or occasional evening work;
  • Provide cover and support for other colleagues as necessary.
  • Full professional proficiency in English and Polish, including excellent writing skills (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
  • Master’s degree, or equivalent;
  • Good understanding of economic and business issues, EU economic policy and how the EU works;
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; confidence in dealing with senior contacts and colleagues, and in handling customers;
  • Ability to work at pace, independently and as part of a team, and to use initiative;
  • Good IT skills (especially Word, Teams, Excel and PowerPoint).
  • Knowledge of the Polish and UK tech sectors;
  • Proven ability to deliver results under pressure in a challenging, dynamic environment;
  • Proven flexibility and adaptability to multi-task and perform other duties when required.
1 August 2021
Executive Officer (EO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
37.5 net
24 months
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Poland
Warsaw
British Embassy
1
PLN
8,462 gross
1 September 2021

This is a full-time fixed-term position of 5 days (37.5 net per week) for 2 years.

The gross salary for this position is PLN 8,462 gross per month. Working hours are flexible and staff are entitled to time-off-in-lieu for agreed extra hours worked. The annual leave entitlement is 20 or 26 days per year pro rata and the Embassy also enjoys a maximum of 14 Polish / UK public holidays per year.

Please note that staff members are responsible for paying any income tax required by the local law.

The successful candidate will be subject to the Polish references check and satisfactory completion of a probationary period of three months.

Candidates must have pre-existing right to live and work in Poland for the duration of the job offer in order to apply. The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Warsaw are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to Polish employment law.

Visa / Passport requirements:

Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Poland 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. 

Working patterns:

BE Warsaw has a strong commitment to work/life balance. Office hours are 8:30 – 16:30, staff are encouraged to leave on time. Flexi-hours are also possible within the Embassy building’s opening hours (0800-1800).

We have mobile technology and most staff in the team work from home one day a week in normal circumstances.

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 Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

* 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.

Additional Information (due to Covid 19):

  • You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;
  • Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;

  • Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.

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.