View Vacancy - Executive Officer – Regional Engagement (ESP23.621)

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Private Office

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.

The British Embassy in Madrid, Spain, is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now recruiting for the position of Executive Officer – Regional Engagement. As Executive Officer to coordinate and track regional engagement across the Spain Network, the jobholder will major on the preparation of the Ambassador and Deputy Head of Mission’s visits around Spain, but will also work with colleagues across the network to better understand where the UK is most active, at what level, and advise on any areas we might be missing.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Coordinate the schedule of Ambassadorial and Deputy Head of Mission visits during quarterly regional engagement meetings (bringing in network colleagues as required);

  • Compile visit programmes in accordance with regional priorities, including setting up meetings and calls while ensuring visits have a sensible flow;

  • Work with the Ambassador’s Private Office on logistical arrangements, including transport, accommodation, meals and rest periods;

  • Coordinate and compile the Ambassador’s briefing pack, tasking briefing to the relevant colleagues and working with the Chief of Staff to quality control;

  • Ensure regional political and economic factsheets are updated on a regular basis and in date for senior colleagues to use while travelling;

  • Lead the post-visit lessons learned process to continually improve on visits;

  • Working with senior Regional Engagement colleagues, reach out to the network to maintain a coherent plot of activity and levels of engagement;

  • There will be opportunities to accompany senior colleagues on regional trips to understand first-hand how visits are executed.

  • Fluency at C1 level for both English and Spanish, according to the CEFR framework*;

  • Bachelor’s degree or minimum of 3 years’ experience in an assistant officer role;

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, track record of organisational skills including managing multiple tasks and strong attention to detail;

  • IT literacy, especially on MS Office;

  • Proven ability of working with senior managers and authorities;

  • Agility and flexibility to meet changing demands.

  • Previous experience dealing with High profile authorities/ VIPs is highly desirable.

  • Knowledge of the structures of Spanish national and regional administration.

Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
12 December 2023
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
37.5
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Spain
Madrid
British Embassy
1
EUR
40,142.35€
yearly
1 February 2023

This is a full-time permanent contract at EO-EE grade level. Normal working hours are 37.5 per week. The British Embassy Madrid supports and promotes flexible working as a crucial part of our inclusive offering.

The jobholder will need to follow the Embassy’s Hybrid Working Policy, currently 3 or more days a week from the office (with the flexibility to choose which days). Please note this is not a fixed Policy and the hybrid working offer may change. 

The successful candidate is subject to a confirmation of a background check, security clearance and the successful completion of a probationary period.

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Spanish Social Security Scheme and will therefore not be entitled to any gratuity from the Embassy based on gross annual salary.

The Embassy is a Diplomatic Mission with tax exempt status and does not collect taxes for other States. Employees are fully responsible for payment of income tax at the legally required rate. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Spain are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Spanish employment law.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Spain 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 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 job.

The British Embassy operates within a respectful and tolerant multicultural environment and offers employees many opportunities and benefits in addition to the standard package under Spanish employment law. These include:

  • Hybrid working (subject to review, currently 3 days a week from the office if operationally viable)

  • 25 days standard annual leave + 15 days bank holiday (mixture of British and Spanish)

  • Summer hours – 5 weeks between July and August (chosen by individual)

  • Access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities and formal training (up to 5 days per year)

  • Wellbeing fund for leisure/wellbeing activities

  • A range of wellbeing initiatives e.g., extra day’s leave on birthday, regular ‘Sky Bar’ events etc.

  • Opportunity to take paid leave to carry out volunteering activities (3 days per year)

  • Opportunity to contribute to and attend keynote events at the Ambassador’s Residence and externally, including the annual celebration of the King’s birthday

  • Access to Employee Assistance Programmes

  • The Embassy operates a Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) policy in the event of overtime.


    The successful candidate will be subject to a confirmation of a background check, security clearance and the successful completion of a probationary period.

    The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Spanish Social Security Scheme and will therefore not be entitled to any gratuity from the Embassy based on gross annual salary.

    The British Embassy is a Diplomatic Mission with tax exempt status and does not collect taxes for other States. Employees are fully responsible for payment of Spanish income tax at the legally required rate. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Spain are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Spanish employment law.

    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.