View Vacancy - Counter-Terrorism and Security Attaché (BEL22.596)

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 (Policy & Political roles)
UKMIS (UK Mission to the European Union)

Our daily work relies on the input of dedicated individuals who engage in many different topics and activities. We seek to employ a diverse range of candidates who bring their won talents and perspectives to the role. 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) is part of a world-wide network of nearly 270 Diplomatic Posts, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. 

The role of the UK Mission to the EU is to engage with the EU institutions (Commission, Council and Parliament), and wider EU-related stakeholders (including think tanks, businesses and the diplomatic community) to promote the UK and its values, protect British interests, and support British people and businesses, developing a positive, mutually beneficial UK-EU relationship. The Mission works on the full range of policy issues in the UK-EU relationship, across economic, security and foreign policy, with significant interest and close working with Whitehall departments.

We are currently looking for a Counter-Terrorism and Security Attaché.

The successful candidate will work within a small sub-team of the Justice and Home Affairs Team in the Mission. Reporting to the Second Secretary Counter-Terrorism and Security, you will help deliver CT objectives in the UK’s CONTEST strategy (against the ‘4 Ps’ - Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare) and will support ongoing CT engagement with the EU, paving the way for the UK-EU CT dialogue as provided for in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.  As well as supporting the Second Secretary on wider CT policy, including ‘Prevent’, you will lead on areas of ‘Protect’ and ‘Prepare’. You will also have responsibility for engaging with EU and cross-Whitehall stakeholders on law enforcement cooperation

This is an exciting area of work at an extremely interesting time, and when new ways of working with the EU are still evolving. You will have the opportunity to build a network of contacts in the EU institutions, Member States, third countries and civil society, and will work closely with policy leads from a range of Whitehall departments including Home Office, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and the Department for Transport.

 Roles and Responsibilities

  • Leading on areas of ‘Protect’ and ‘Prepare’ in the UK’s CONTEST strategy. Following EU policy developments in these areas, assessing implications for UK policy, working closely with policy leads across Whitehall.
  • Supporting the 6-monthly UK-EU Aviation Security Cooperation meetings as set out in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
  • Supporting the Second Secretary on wider CT policy, such as ‘Prevent’, and supporting the development of the new CT relationship with the EU, preparing the way for the UK-EU CT dialogue.
  • Engaging with EU and Whitehall stakeholders on  law enforcement cooperation, identifying opportunities to support HMG objectives and facilitating engagement. Following EU legislative proposals on information exchange, reporting and advising policy leads on implications for UK security and capability. 
  • Leading on public diplomacy events on CT and security, and facilitating inward and outward senior official and Ministerial visits.
  • Contributing to corporate activities within the Justice and Home Affairs team as well as the wider UK Mission to the EU. 

This is not an exhaustive list, and the post holder will be required to be flexible as the UK-EU relationship develops and the landscape evolves.

  • Experience or demonstrable knowledge of EU institutions and EU processes;
  • Excellent communication and analytical skills;
  • Strong stakeholder management skills;
  • Ability to work at pace, independently and as part of a team and to use initiative;
  • Ability to grasp complex issues quickly, analysing and communicating them simply and effectively;
  • Strong drafting skills;
  • Excellent planning and organisational skills with proven ability to prioritise tasks.
  • Full professional proficiency in English, including excellent written and spoken skills  (minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*)

  • Background or keen interest in Counter-Terrorism or security-related issues.
  • An understanding of EU legislative processes
Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
4 December 2022
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
36.25
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
UK Mission to the European Union (UKMIS), Brussels
UK Delegation
1
EUR
4684.93 monthly
16 January 2023

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 € 4684.93  (EO) 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.

You will have access to an extensive range of L&D offered globally by the FCDO, as well as more bespoke L&D opportunities provided through the mission, including around developing diplomatic influencing skills, understanding the EU institutions and to support career development. All staff are also expected to complete a small number of short mandatory courses on joining the mission.

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.

The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.

Visa/passport requirements: 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.

Passport: The job holder will be expected to be in possession of a passport due to the possibility that they may be asked to undertake business travel.  

Please note, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFRPlease bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.

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.