View Vacancy - Policy Officer – European Parliament & Bilateral Relations (BEL19.286)

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)
Scottish Government / Scotland House Brussels

Scotland has had a long-established presence in Brussels, and this year we are celebrating 20 years in Scotland House at Rond-Point Schuman, at the heart of the EU quarter. The Scottish Government works closely with the other Scotland House Brussels partners (Scotland Europa and Scottish Enterprise/Scottish Development International) to support Scotland’s economic and diplomatic interests at the EU level, underpinned by cultural promotion and is now looking for a full-time Policy Officer – European Parliament & Bilateral Relations to join the team.

The work of the Scottish Government team is focussed on addressing the challenges of Brexit and supporting our collaborative approach to working with Scottish, EU and international stakeholders across a range of policy areas, including in the context of a new European Parliament from May 2019 and a new European Commission from November 2019.

You will be part of the EU Affairs and Brexit Coordination Team, with a particular focus on the European Parliament.  You will monitor and report on forthcoming political developments in the EU institutions, including changes to top jobs and the EU’s new strategic direction.  You will help the wider Scotland House team build and maintain its network of stakeholders, particularly within the European Parliament.  You will channel your research, analysis and insights into quality reporting and briefing for Scottish Government officials and Ministers.  Additionally, you will work with the European Relations team in Scotland in order to develop, build and strengthen Scotland’s bilateral links with Belgium.

The applicant will need to demonstrate political acumen, outstanding written and oral communication skills, experience of working at pace and working collaboratively.  Good French and ideally also Dutch language skills (spoken and written) are desirable.  

A solid understanding of the EU institutions – and in particular the functioning of the European Parliament – is essential.  Regular travel to Strasbourg for plenary sessions of the European Parliament is an important requirement of this post.

 Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • European Parliament liaison: you will monitor and report on the make-up and activities of the European Parliament following the May 2019 elections.  You will build and strengthen links with MEPs, their assistants and other key contacts within the European Parliament in areas pertinent to Scottish interests.  Working closely with Scotland House policy officers, you will drive and coordinate the Scottish Government’s strategic engagement with the European Parliament on priority issues.  This will include identifying and tracking priority files and advising on influencing strategies.

  • Drafting reports and briefing: you will contribute to reporting on political developments, including those related to the EU’s new strategic direction and Brexit.  You will prepare incisive and relevant briefing – often at pace – for Ministers and senior officials and you will provide ad hoc policy support as required on a range of issues related to EU affairs and Brexit.

  • Ministerial and official visits: you will lead on the development and delivery of Ministerial and official visits to the European Parliament, providing support during these visits and ensuring any follow up actions are taken forward. 

  • Bilateral relations: working closely with the UK’s bilateral embassy, the Scottish Government’s European relations team in Edinburgh and Scotland House colleagues, you will seek to build and strengthen links between Scotland and Belgium across a range of shared policy interests.  This will include building and managing a network of contacts, providing timely briefing and reports and organising and supporting Ministerial and senior official visits and events.


  • Education to university level;

  • At least 1 year of experience of working on EU affairs, with knowledge of the EU institutions – particularly the European Parliament - and the EU legislative process;

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;

  • Written and spoken French and/or Dutch language skills (independent user level or higher);

  • High-quality communications and drafting skills;

  • Strong IT skills with sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Excel);

  • Excellent interpersonal skills;

  • Ability to work at pace and manage conflicting deadlines under pressure;

  • A self-starter who is able to work both autonomously and collaboratively;

  • Availability for regularly travel to Strasbourg for plenary sessions of the European Parliament.

  • A good understanding of UK and Scottish politics;

  • A good understanding of Belgian politics.


11 June 2019
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
36.25
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
Brussels
Political Office
1
EUR
4,058.62
19 August 2019

Terms and conditions:

This is a permanent full-time contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week.

The monthly salary for this position is €4,058.62 B3 (L) level.

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.

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.