View Vacancy - Assistant Defence Attaché (FIN18.558)

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 Helsinki is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Defence Attaché Assistant.

    The main purpose of the job is to provide support the British Defence Attaché (DA) in Helsinki with the day-to-day office management activities including, but not limited to: budget/financial management, travel/hotel bookings, event planning and management, asset management and visit/meeting coordination. 

    The assistant will help to develop a network of contacts in Finnish defence and security communities in pursuit of UK interests including defence procurement opportunities and bilateral military collaboration. He/she will represent the Defence Attaché at Finnish language forums and provide subsequent analysis, perspective and where necessary, translations and recommendations.

    Main duties and responsibilities:

    • Provide all necessary administrative support to the Defence Attaché to include finances, travel, meetings and representational entertainment arrangements.  Liaise with Embassy corporate services team over administrative issues with the residence and office infrastructure;
    • Liaising with UK and Finnish authorities and military units, process diplomatic clearance requests for UK military personnel, units, aircraft and vessels wishing to undertake education, training, exercises or operations in Finnish territory;
    • Represent the Defence Attaché at forums in the Finnish language and provide executive summaries, analysis and recommendations;
    • Systematic and targeted identification of useful contacts in the Finnish defence and military establishment, maintaining an up-to-date and accurate database, and horizon scanning for proactive outreach opportunities. Identifying defence and military related seminars, conferences and other events, and where tasked and appropriate, attending on the DA’s behalf.

    • Excellent communication skills with very high standard in Finnish and English;
    • External facing role, needing good customer-focus and communication skills;
    • Ability to work independently, unsupervised and contribute positively as part of a small team;
    • Good organisational skills, prioritising effectively and delivering under pressure to tight deadlines;
    • Positive attitude to learning and developing, willingness to develop new skills. Proactive, flexible, can-do attitude;
    • Budget management experience;
    • Excellent MS Office skills, particularly in Excel and PowerPoint.
    • Clean Driving licence.
    • Experience of working in a similar defence, international or diplomatic role;
    • Interest in politics and international affairs; familiarity with defence issues;
    • Working knowledge of Swedish is desirable, not mandatory.
    28 September 2018
    Executive Officer (EO)
    Full-time, Permanent
    36.25
    Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
    Finland
    Helsinki
    British Embassy
    1
    EUR
    3,712.27
    12 November 2018

    This is a full-time permanent contract of 40 hours per week. Working hours are from 09.00- 16.45 Monday to Friday.

    The annual leave entitlement is 20 days, increasing to 25 days after one year’s service. Leave for temporary, contract or hourly-paid staff is also calculated on a pro-rata basis. The Embassy pays an annual holiday bonus. Embassy employees are entitled to a private medical scheme for basic healthcare services and to use the Embassy’s recreational facilities.

    The appointment is subject to security clearance and the successful completion of a probationary period.

    All applicants should have the right to live and work in Finland. The British Embassy does not sponsor for work permits.

    Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Finland are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Finnish employment law and FCO guidance for Local Staff.

    Please be informed that the interviews will take place in mid October.

    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 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.