Economic Attaché (LEII) British Embassy

British Embassy

Brussels, Belgium

LOCALLY ENGAGED STAFF VACANCY

A full time position as an Economic Attaché (LEII) at the British Embassy in Brussels has become available.

This is a challenging, varied and fast-moving job which requires a significant degree of independent working, contact-making and flexibility. The job-holder will need to deal confidently and fluently with technical issues facing the Belgian economy during the eurozone crisis (wage indexation, bond markets, regulation of financial services) and see the relation to internal and external politics. The job-holder will be expected to accompany the Ambassador to meetings with Belgian senior officials and Ministers, and to network confidently on his or her own.

The main responsibilities are:

• Providing regular high quality, professional analysis and lobbying relating to all aspects of the Belgian economy and wider socio-economic issues. This will include analysis of the impact on the Belgian economy of: eurozone crisis, global economic trends, multilateral and domestic economic governance measures; budgetary policy, competition policy, trade and investment policy, labour market and social policy;
• Contributing to the Embassy’s Commercial diplomacy effort and leading on the energy and climate change/environment portfolios.

The job-holder would be expected to contribute to the Embassy’s broader political reporting as required and to work closely with colleagues in the UK Perm Rep, and UK posts in Luxembourg and The Hague.

This role would provide valuable experience for those seeking longer-term employment in, for example, the European Commission or other Foreign Ministries. Previous incumbents have found employment with the European Commission, UK Treasury and Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Embassy is a friendly and inclusive Mission, committed to professional development. There is a strong emphasis on learning and development to ensure that staff are equipped to achieve their objectives both for their present and future employment.

Essential Skills

• Previous experience of public economic and domestic policy analysis;
• Good interpersonal and influencing skills to be able to develop and maintain a network of key contacts (both Belgian and UK);
• Ability to work and deliver results under pressure;
• Demonstrated initiative, problem solving and judgement skills;
• Strong organisational skills;
• Excellent English-both oral and the ability to draft clear written communications;
• Operational French and/or Dutch (reading and listening).

Desirable

• Knowledge of Belgian political and economic system.

This position will be filled on a fixed term contract.

Gross monthly salary: €2736.57

Applications with a full CV and cover letter in English should be sent to the Recruitment Officer, Corporate Services Benelux British Embassy, Avenue d’Auderghem 10 B- 1040 Brussels or brussels.recruitment@fco.gov.uk by Friday 7 September. If applying by email, you should include your full name in the message title and your email and attachments must not exceed 300kB in size.

We expect to hold interviews shortly after the closing date with a view to the successful applicant starting work in late September/early October 2012, subject to vetting, references and administrative processes. Only applicants called for interview will be contacted.

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 disability. We aim to reflect the diversity of society.