View Vacancy - Business Support Officer(BEL23.629)

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 (Operations and Corporate Services)
UKMIS (UK Mission to the European Union)

Who we are:

Our daily work relies on the input of dedicated individuals who engage on many different topics and activities. We seek to employ a diverse range of candidates who bring their own talents and perspectives to the role, and we particularly welcome applications from people in traditionally under-represented groups. We have a strong corporate agenda that ensures we create a positive and inclusive working environment where everyone is valued for their contribution. 

The UK Mission to the European Union (UKMis Brussels) ensures the UK’s interests are promoted and explained to EU member states and the EU institutions. UKMis Brussels works on the full range of UK government business, with its staff drawn from a wide range of departments, agencies across Whitehall and Country Based colleagues.

UKMis Brussels is part of a world-wide network of 270 Diplomatic Posts, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for two Business Support Officers to assist in the delivery of its internal corporate work.

The job holders must be highly organised, forward thinking and able to work to a high degree of accuracy under time pressure.  A team player is essential, as is flexibility. This may include assisting other sections in UKMis on an ad-hoc basis, as well as contributing to UKMis wider corporate life. 

Why you should apply:

There are currently 2 Business Support Officer roles available, which will sit within teams that cover trade and economic issues including global trade, social affairs, climate, agriculture, health and many other topics. 
The jobholder will be expected to support and lead on tasks that help your team and the organisation function, making sure everyone is supported and organised to do their job effectively. This will involve being flexible, communicating with your and other teams, and being willing and able to help out with a wide variety of tasks which will include, but are not limited to:

  • Team Based Administration - Organisation of internal team meetings, office management, organisation of internal team building sessions / away days, diary support to head of section etc.
  • Induction - Ensure all team members are aware of and follow UKMis induction procedures both as staff and line managers.
  • Corporate Compliance – This will include regular reviews of completion rates of mandatory FCDO training and accurate record keeping of compliance databases – including for FCDO crisis preparedness.
  • Budget Management – Monitoring and forecasting of local budget allocation.
  • IT - Ensuring distribution lists and MS Team storage are reviewed regularly. Ensuring all colleagues in their sections have updated Outlook/MS Teams/UKMis intranet profiles. Enable all team members to run effective meetings, including in hybrid format - supporting use of technology 
  • Internal Communications – Supporting smooth internal communications by proactively signposting colleagues to relevant content and ensuring content is up to date.
  • Visits and Events - Coordinate programmes and logistical support for visits/events, including virtual events such as webinars.
  • Stakeholder Management, and Event Attendance - Providing targeted read-outs of stakeholder and EU institution events for Desk Officers. Keep accurate and up to date databases of key stakeholders in line with data protection rules. Where appropriate, deputise for Desk Officers, occasionally representing the UK at external events.


Potential candidates should note that this is not a policy role however there are opportunities for learning and development.

Our ideal candidate will have: 

  • Excellent planning and organisational skills with proven ability to prioritise tasks and work under pressure at times.
  • Flexible approach and team player with good communication skills.
  • Ability to carry out occasional out of hours work (which we operate a ‘time of in lieu’ system for.)
  • Excellent command of English (written, spoken and comprehension).
  • Good IT skills: Experience working with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, MS Teams, PowerPoint etc.) plus Office 365 (Outlook).

It will be a plus:

  • Experience working on events.
  • Knowledge of French language is desirable.
  • Admin-related work experience is desirable.
Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together
11 December 2023
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
36.25 hours
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
UK Mission to the European Union (UKMIS), Brussels
British Embassy
3
EUR
4,244.80
monthly
5 February 2024

This is a permanent full-time contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week. The monthly gross salary for this position is € 4,244.80, 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. UKMis Brussels does have the advantage of offering Time off in Lieu (TOIL) for extra time worked. UKMis Brussels also offers flexible working where possible.

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.

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.

Learning & Development: The UK Mission to the EU takes learning and development seriously. As well as being supported to do your job, there are often opportunities to learn more about different policy areas, shadow colleagues in different areas of work and to volunteer to be part of committees and events across the Mission.

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 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.

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.