View Vacancy - Executive Assistant to the Naval Attaché/ BDS Commemorations Officer (FRA23.144)

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

The British Embassy in Paris is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. The British Defence Staff (BDS) – France plays a key role in developing, maintaining and promoting the UK-French defence and security relationship. Its mission is to build enduring strategic relationships with a wide range of French partners in order to further the objectives outlined in the UK Defence Strategy for France.

The Naval Attaché plays a vital role in reinforcing institutional partnership between the UK and French Navies. In addition, with BE Paris and the BDS receiving invitations to nearly 200 commemorations each year, ranging from the Arc de Triomphe to small events in First & Second World War battlefields, close management is required of the monthly commemoration forecast to ensure that the UK is appropriately represented. The BDS team consists of 17 people. You will be working in a fast paced, varied and professional office alongside a PS and another PA.


Roles and responsibilities:

  • Supporting the Naval Attaché in developing his network as well managing his/her diary and maintaining databases up to date
  • Briefing Attachés on upcoming events and organising national and international travel 
  • Ensuring compliance with MoD financial and budgetary requirements
  • Acting as gatekeeper and managing correspondence
  • Supporting programmes for incoming senior visitors
  • Preparing and collating materials for reports to senior military officials and cross-Embassy departments
  • Representing Attachés at meetings/events as required and providing detailed reports
  • Translation of official documents and correspondence (English to French and French to English)
  • Organising official entertainment and events in liaison with other Embassy partners
  • Supporting the network of Royal Navy/Royal Marine Exchange and Liaison Officers in France
  • Supporting the BDS Chief of Staff in the delivery of the UK’s international commemorative events in France
  • Leading on smaller scale commemorative events by liaising with national and local French authorities for logistical and security arrangements
  • Supporting & working with other Attaches as required, and covering for other members of BDS as necessary
  • Fluency in English and French (C1 CEFR level*)
  • Career experience in a high pace environment with the clear capacity, resilience and aptitude that is required.
  • PA previous experience
  • Able to multi-task and prioritise urgent work while ensuring that routine tasks are not overlooked
  • Security cleared to work within the Embassy security zone
  • Able to present a professional image of the BDS – France
  • Able to communicate clearly and to liaise closely with contacts at all levels
  • Computer literate (Outlook, Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Sharepoint)
  • Able to work out of hours for specific events including, occasionally, events outside Paris
  • Previous experience as a PA/PS or in office administrator role
  • Possess an enthusiastic, team-player attitude
  • Have a strong sense of service
  • Some understanding of British and/or French military organisation
  • Experience of working within UK MOD/FCDO environment
Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
4 April 2023
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
35
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
France
Paris
British Embassy
1
EUR
3473 (value Gross)
1 June 2023

This is a full-time (35h/Week), and permanent position. 

All appointments are subject to professional background check satisfactory security clearance. The successful applicant will be required to provide a copy of his/her passport or national identity card for all nationalities held, an up-to-date criminal record (casier judiciaire) for recent countries of residence (which can be obtained online at casier-judiciaire.justice.gouv.fr), two written proofs of address (utility invoices and/or bank statements) and two references.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in France are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local French employment law and FCO guidance for Local Staff. The posts we offer are not an entry point into the UK’s Diplomatic Service.

Your application will only be considered if you follow the guidance below:

  • Your application must be sent in English only.
    Your application must clearly indicate all nationalities you hold.

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

*Please refer to the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages”.  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.

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.