British Embassy LE III Assistant to Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR), UKREP

British Embassy

Brussels, Belgium

STAFF VACANCY

A full time vacancy will shortly arise for a Officer as Assistant to the Deputy Permanent Representative at UKREP. The job will involve supporting the DPR in her responsibilities as a member of UKREP’s top management team. Any member of the three Missions, including spouses and partners who wish to be considered for this post should apply in writing to the Recruitment Officer, CSB (brussels.recruitment@fco.gov.uk). Existing local staff should inform their Head of Section if they respond to this notice.

MAIN ROLE

The successful applicant will support the DPR in her functions, notably by:

• Office Management: managing all aspects of her diary (including visitors and visit programmes), transport, entertainment, information flows and retrieval, dealing with written and telephone enquiries, commissioning briefing for meetings, document creation, finance (approx 75% of the job);
• Coreper Support: commissioning and co-ordinating briefing for the bi-weekly Coreper meetings and ensuring all the necessary information is available to her and Desk Officers to perform effectively in Coreper; Similar responsibilities in respect of Council meetings; Point of contact with Council Secretariat for Coreper I;
• Liaison with EGIS: co-ordinating teleconferences with EGIS in the Cabinet Office, including recording outcomes of discussion and chasing Action points;
• Undertaking Specific Projects: research and information gathering, supporting DPR (and top management team where appropriate) in delivering personal and corporate leadership initiatives;
• Flexibility: On occasion the post holder may be asked to work outside conditioned hours.

Skills required

A high standard of efficiency, self-motivation and resilience is necessary to perform effectively in this post where deadlines for action are frequently short and pressures on colleagues high.

Essential

• Excellent organisational and office management skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills – including the ability to be firm with colleagues whilst retaining respect;
• Team working skills and willingness to “muck in”;
• Good IT (Microsoft Office and Outlook) skills;
• Straightforward drafting skills;
• Ability to think ahead, think strategically and act on own initiative;
• Discretion and good judgement;
• Fluent written and spoken English;
• Practical spoken French (or the prospect of achieving this quickly);
• Enthusiastic about personal development and keeping oneself up-to-date with new opportunities to develop.

Desirable

• Previous experience of successful office management;
• Experience of co-ordinating and managing projects;
• Experience of dealing with senior people;
• Experience of budget management;
• Basic knowledge of FCO systems and corporate operations.

Gross monthly salary: € 2286.10

Applications with a full CV in English should be sent to Recruitment Officer, CSB, Avenue d’Auderghem 10, 1040 Brussels (brussels.recruitment@fco.gov.uk) by 20 August 2012. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Belgium. 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 physical disability. We aim to reflect the diversity of society.