View Vacancy - UKRep Political Support & EU Staffing Officer (BEL1046)
The UK Permanent Representation to the EU (UKRep) works within the EU and its member states to maximise British influence on issues such as trade, the single market and economic growth and is now looking for a capable and highly motivated Political Support & EU Staffing Officer to work in the Political Section on a range of high priority issues. UKRep is also looking for a suitable candidate to fill a fixed term vacancy (up to summer 2017) as a Corporate & EU Staffing Officer.
These are both interesting and varied roles that are likely to evolve significantly over the coming period as the UK proceeds through the Article 50 process. They will therefore require individuals who are prepared to be flexible and adjust their responsibilities as required.
Political Support and EU Staffing Officer
Currently there are two main elements to this role: political support - including arranging visit programmes for visiting Ministers, Parliamentary Committees and senior HMG officials; and EU staffing, where the jobholder’s responsibilities will including leading on supporting UK Government secondees to the EU External Action Service as well as managing UKRep’s relationship with British permanent EU officials.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Political: supporting the team’s political work, including planning and coordinating visits by Parliamentary Committees, MPs, Ministers and senior officials, and drafting briefings for the Permanent and Deputy Permanent Representatives;
Working as part of the Staffing team, processing administration for UK Civil Servants on secondment to the EEAS as well as supporting the wider secondments team. Leading on the EEAS’ Junior Professionals in Delegations programme;
Managing information about British staff working for the EU Institutions, and keeping track of when and where they move as well as overall statistics. This will mean working with the various HR departments of the institutions, and ensuring that all the information we are given is safely stored in line with data protection rules. The jobholder will also be responsible for arranging networking events for Brits in the EU Institutions with the UKRep Ambassadors and providing policy support on issues related to British staff working in the Institutions;
Coordinating UKRep’s engagement with the European Economic & Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
Corporate and Staffing Officer
This position would provide the successful candidate with a unique insight into how the UK Representation works, from the day to day running to the corporate oversight and decisions of the Ambassador and senior management teams. This does require a high level of discretion given some of the personal information with which you will be dealing. And you will play a key role in helping civil servants coming from the UK to find their feet in Brussels and settle into their new lives.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Corporate: working with the Deputy Head of Mission to co-ordinate, prepare and support the annual appraisal process for Band C and D; ensuring the UKREP HR succession planner is kept up to date; and liaising with senior management, including Private Offices, to ensure smooth running and preparation for Senior Management meetings;
- EU Staffing: Acting as a first point of call and keeping in regular contact with our EU secondee community during their postings and as they look to return to the UK; ensuring that secondees have access to – and make the most of - learning and development opportunities open to them; organising networking, briefing, and other events for secondees; and liaising with DG HR and the UK Government HR Departments to ensure timely processing of SNE contractual arrangements.
For both positions, it is required:
- Fluency in English (both oral and written);
- Proven skills in delivering results under pressure, excellent organisational ability and a proactive results-driven approach to problem solving;
- Knowledge of the EU institutions;
- Strong track record in delivering customer service;
- High-quality communications and drafting skills;
- Proven ability to operate in a small team and handle sometimes sensitive personal data.
- Awareness of the EU’s internal staffing rules and procedures would be an advantage;
- Ability to communicate in French both written and orally would be an advantage but is not essential.
We are offering a permanent full-time contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week and a fixed-term full-time contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week.
The monthly gross salary for this position is € 3,024.50 A2 (L) level (The British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium salaries are not subject to annual indexation).
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.
Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.
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 Diplomatic Missions 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.
This opportunity is closed to applications.