Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Brussels, Belgium
STAFF VACANCY
A full time position as an Deputy House of Commons Representative in the United Kingdom National Parliament Office has become available. The United Kingdom House of Commons established a National Parliament Office in Brussels in 1999. It is based in the European Parliament premises along with its counterparts from other member states and is staffed by one House of Commons Representative, who is seconded to the UK Representation to the European Union (UKREP), supported by a Deputy Representative. The role of the office is to act as a research and forward observation post for the House and its select committees on developments within the EU institutions providing relevant briefing, advice and analysis. In particular it acts as the “eyes and ears” of the European Scrutiny Committee which, acting on behalf of the House, examines a wide range of EU documents and reports on them weekly to the House. The Office also provides a representational and liaison service for the House with the EU institutions and other stakeholders, and provides assistance when Members and Officials from the House of Commons visit Brussels.
Applications should be sent with full C.V. and covering letter including a supporting statement setting out how they meet the essential skills required for this post (400 words/200 KB max.), to the attention of the Recruitment Officer, Corporate Services Benelux (brussels.recruitment@fco.gov.uk).
Main Role
Key responsibilities include:
- To monitor political, legislative and policy developments in the European Parliament and other EU institutions;
- To report back effectively to House of Commons Select Committees on such developments;
- To maintain a broad network of contacts in the European Parliament and other EU institutions, and to use those contacts to assist the House of Commons in its scrutiny of European issues;
- To be a repository of expertise on the European Institutions and to provide advice to colleagues in Westminster;
- To arrange and deliver staff attachments to the National Parliament Office and training visits to the EU Institutions for Westminster-based House of Commons officials;
- To accompany and provide assistance to official delegations from the House of Commons visiting the European Parliament;
- To run the office alone when the House of Commons Representative is elsewhere;
- To regularly work in Strasbourg for European Parliament plenary sessions and Westminster as required.
Essential Skills/Requirements
- Strong oral and written communication skills. The ability to present an argument clearly and persuasively, varying your communication style to suit your audience;
- Strong interpersonal skills. Proven team player as well as ability to form professional relationships with a wide range of contacts;
- Excellent organisation skills;
- Ability to work autonomously and under pressure; this will include familiarising yourself quickly with often complex issues;
- Strong understanding of the role and functioning of the EU Institutions and some experience of European affairs and/or specific EU policy areas;
- Strict political impartiality and no engagement in political activities for the duration of the appointment;
- Fluent written and spoken English.
Desirable Skills/Knowledge
- Command of other EU languages, particularly French;
- Knowledge or experience of the UK Parliament;
- Experience of the EU institutions;
- Good IT skills;
- Good presentation skills (including PowerPoint experience).
This position will be subject to satisfactory completion of UK security checks, and will be filled on a fixed term contract.
Gross monthly salary: € 3444.87
Applicants should forward a covering letter with a supporting statement setting out how they meet the essential skills required for this post (400 words/200 KB max.) along with their CV in English to the attention of the Recruitment Officer (brussels.recruitment@fco.gov.uk), CSB, Avenue d’Auderghem 10, 1040 Brussels by Wednesday 28 March 2012. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they have pre-existing authorisation and are legally entitled to work in Belgium in order to apply. As this is a locally engaged position there will be no relocation costs available.
Only applicants called for interview will be contacted. Interviews will be held in Brussels the week of 16 April 2012 with a view to the successful candidate starting as soon as possible thereafter.
The British Missions in Brussels are an equal opportunities employer. Applications are welcome from all suitably qualified applicants regardless of age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or physical disability. We aim to reflect the diversity of society.