View Vacancy - Congressional Support Officer (Defense)
Main purpose of job:
The Congressional Support Officer (Defense) will serve the British Defence Staff - United States (BDSUS), within the British Embassy, on Congressional issues. The role works within a small team that advises the British Embassy’s Senior Leadership Team, primarily the Defence Attaché and Minister (Counsellor Defense), on Defence related Congressional issues in order to enable UK officials, both in the U.S. and London, to make informed decisions that help advance UK policy priorities.
Reporting to the senior Congressional Affairs Officer for Defence, you will assist in coordinating meetings and visits between senior UK Defence officials and Congressional contacts. You will also track key developments in Congress, including hearings and significant legislation. You will work flexibly with Embassy colleagues to arrange meetings, organise visit programmes, develop briefings, and keep records. You will understand goals and objectives and plan events and meetings that work towards these objectives. Your role will also provide administrative support and database management for Congressional engagement.
This role would suit a highly motivated individual who enjoys being busy, has excellent organisation skills, and who is flexible and willing to take on new opportunities as they arise. The successful candidate will have an interest in US politics, specifically in defence and congressional affairs. The post holder may be expected as part of their duties to use an embassy vehicle in order to assist in the running of a senior visitor programme to visit locations in the DC area.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?
- Provide support for high level visits by Defence Ministers and senior officials coming to Washington DC to engage with a multitude of counterparts, particularly Members of Congress and/or their staff. This will include owning visit logistics for certain incoming visitors, preparing and collating briefing information, setting up meetings for visitors, and ensuring the agreed programme runs smoothly. Organise social engagements for visitors and their Congressional contacts as required.
- Track and report on key Congressional hearings on defence, including those in the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Track and report on key pieces of legislation in Congress, including the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and federal appropriations. Work with Senior Congressional Affairs Officer for Defence on identifying key areas of interest in Congress and opportunities to educate members on the importance of the UK-US defence relationship.
- Responsible for scheduling, managing, and controlling the database of information on the Hill engagement for Her Majesty’s Ambassador/ The British Defence Attaché/ Minister for Defence Material/ Deputy Head of Mission and others as required.
- Establish and maintain a list of congressional contacts, under the guidance of the Senior Congressional Officer for Defence, in order to support arranging meetings.
- Focal point for control and management of diaries and logistics for external meetings for the team. Ensuring that there are no date or time conflicts. Where required provide management direction on resolution of conflict issues. Authorise logistic expenditure in support of external meetings within authorised limits.
- Creative event planning and management, identifying and pursing engagement opportunities, leveraging available budgets and working with teams to deliver Hill engagement goals, in accordance with financial guidelines.
- When required, represent the congressional team at external meetings, take minutes and write records of the meeting.
- Liaise with think tank and media strategy holders to assist with identifying and executing engagement opportunities in order to enhance the objectives of the FCDO/MOD mission and objectives.
- Deputise for the BDS Senior Congressional Officer for Defence.
- Flexibility to take on other work as priorities require. Including support to Her Majesty’s Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador on broader UK Government issues, and in support of visiting UK Government Ministers.
- Advocacy for UK interests with US contacts in Congress and more widely.
- Bachelor’s degree
- Requires 3-5 years related work experience. Related work with defence issues in Congress a strong plus
- Excellent administrative and organisational skills, with proven management experience with an ability to plan and prioritise tasks, ensuring team goals are achieved
- High degree of knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications, especially Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
- Proven skills in delivering results under pressure, excellent organisational ability and a proactive results-driven approach to problem solving
- Knowledge of how the US government operates, specifically Congress
- Must hold a valid driver’s licence for the USA
- Must be willing to go through UK Security Clearance; initial offer and continued employment are dependant on gaining and maintaining security clearance
- Interest in UK and EU politics and policy
- Understanding of the US Defence policy
- Ability to think strategically to spot opportunities
- Existing network to relevant Congressional Contacts
Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.
This role is not suitable for flexible working. Jobholder is expected to go into the Embassy several days per week.
On taking up post you will have to complete Data Protection training which is mandated for this post as well as in house training on defence computer systems. The learning and development opportunities, including through formal training courses, are excellent.
The job provides scope to broaden knowledge and experience through getting involved in the breadth of UK/US defence engagement.
Successful candidate will be expected to conduct a one week familiarisation visit to the UK in the first year (subject to COVID 19 Travel Restrictions being lifted).
The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
