View Vacancy - Political Officer (BEL20.298)

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The United Kingdom’s Joint Delegation to NATO is the vital link between the UK Government and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Its principal roles are to promote British interests in NATO and to keep UK Ministers and Government Departments informed about NATO discussions and is now looking for a Political Officer for the UK Delegation to NATO in Brussels (UKDEL).

To help represent the UK in the world’s most successful political-military alliance by delivering UK objectives as part of the UK Delegation’s political team, with a particular focus on the Middle East and North Africa region.

NATO is the bedrock of the UK’s defence and security. It is undergoing its most significant changes since the Cold War to meet new and more assertive threats in an increasingly complex and uncertain world; and has recently moved into a new headquarters. The UK plays a highly respected leadership role in the Alliance. The growing threat to the international order, and NATO’s increasing political weight and breadth of engagement, is also strengthening the Alliance’s importance to the UK’s foreign policy. 

The pace and range of work are increasing. The delegation is a busy team, a mixed community of UK diplomats, Ministry of Defence civilians, military officers and locally-hired employees, operating at a high tempo in a challenging multilateral environment. But it is also a supportive and happy workplace, with a strong focus on learning and development and upholding values of respect, integrity, fairness and inclusivity. 

The United Kingdom's Joint Delegation to NATO is the link between the UK Government and the NATO. The Delegation’s principal roles are to promote British interests in NATO and to keep UK Ministers and government departments informed about NATO discussions. Its work is valued highly by FCO and MOD Ministers alike. 

Working within the Political Section, the jobholder will deliver UK objectives in a range of areas. Key focuses will likely include the Middle East and North Africa region; NATO’s partnerships, particularly in the MENA region; and support to wider political team objectives including the Asia Pacific region; Russia; the Western Balkans and advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda at NATO. 

This will require the ability to build relations with a wide range of stakeholders, to persuade and influence when problems arise, and confidently to represent the UK in committee discussions and negotiations. The jobholder will work in collaboration with 29 other Allies, partner delegations and NATO’s International Staff, and represent the UK in Committee, in order to advance UK objectives. They will need to lead UK thinking at NATO in their policy areas, building and drawing on a network of UK government contacts and leveraging seniors when needed. They will need to monitor global developments that affect their areas; and be ready to respond to them. The job holder will need to deliver quality work on high profile issues in a fast-paced environment.

As with all jobs in the Delegation, we promote an adaptable and responsive approach, which means the jobholder will need to be ready to adapt their focus to deal with changing circumstances and priorities. The jobholder will be a strong team player.  Working in a large and diverse mission, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in cross-team issues, and the job holder will be expected to make an active contribution to supporting the effectiveness and wellbeing of the UK delegation and its people, based on their particular interests and experience. We can ensure that it will be fast moving and enjoyable, with plenty of scope for policy development and delivery.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has a strong culture of learning and development, in which the delegation plays a full part. Everyone has at least five days each year for development, and there is great scope to take up specific learning in different forms: there are team away days, opportunities for on-the-job learning, training courses, and longer-term development. French classes are organised regularly, and a range of other masterclasses and presentations are offered, e.g. on prioritisation, stress management and policy issues. Staff have access to the FCO’s Diplomatic Academy which provides in-depth learning and knowledge on a wealth of different subjects and skills up to diploma level. 

Main duties and Responsibilities:

• Policy development: Analysing issues, understanding other countries’ positions and formulating policy;

• Briefing: Provide succinct, targeted advice and briefing to the UK Permanent Representative, Military Representative and other colleagues as required. Contribute to the Team’s political analysis;

• Negotiation: Preparing for and representing the UK in working-level Committee and informal discussions, negotiating with Allies and partners to help achieve UK objectives;

• Political reporting: Draft timely, accurate reports of committee meetings, sessions of the North Atlantic Council, Ministerial meetings and other events as necessary;

• Networking: Establish and maintain contact with stakeholders in NATO, Allies’ and partners’ delegations, UK Government departments and the UK’s network of embassies;

• Wider support: Providing support and advice across Political Team and the UK Delegation, particularly in advance of Ministerial meetings, flexing according to changing priorities;

• Corporate Activity to improve the Delegation’s effectiveness.

• Experience of working with a wide network of contacts demonstrating negotiation; networking and influencing skills;

• Good communication skills (written and oral);

• Ability to grasp complex issues quickly and communicate them simply and effectively;

• Excellent briefing and drafting skills;

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and contribute to its outputs;

• Strategic Thinking;

• Adaptability and resilience under pressure;

• Fluent written and spoken English.