Competitiveness and Markets Section Policy Support Officer Foreign & Commonwealth Office Brussels, Belgium

The Competitiveness and Markets section leads on nearly all business that goes through two Councils of the European Union formations: the Competitiveness Council, and the Transport, Telecoms and Energy Council. We also work with the European Commission on UK state aid cases and wider competition issues.

The post-holder will work closely with Brussels- and London-based UK officials as well as officials from the EU institutions and other Member State Representations. They will have the opportunity to develop project-management and leadership skills in their role piloting state aid cases through the Commission’s approval process, and they will gain experience of developing policy in the single market, research, and energy policy areas, depending on the needs of the section. They will also provide administrative support to the team. This post offers an excellent opportunity to gain extensive experience of the EU decision-making process on issues which are fundamental to the success of the UK and EU’s growth strategy.

UKREP has a full programme of development opportunities, including, but going beyond, formal training courses.

Duties and responsibilities

The successful applicant’s time would be split between approximately 40% policy work and approximately 60% administrative duties.

Policy Support will involve:

• Acting as an UKRep lead on state aid cases going through the Commission approval process, including acting as the intermediary between DG Competition and policy leads in London and providing advice to London policy officials on the state aid approval process;
• Acting as an UKRep lead on internal market legislative files, including advising London policy officials on negotiation strategy, representing the UK in Council working groups, negotiating compromises with other Member States and representatives of the European Parliament, and contributing to briefing for senior officials and Ministers;
• Providing desk officer cover for negotiations in Council working groups, and providing timely and accurate reporting to London;
• Commissioning instructions and briefing from London for state aid meetings, working groups, the Committee of Permanent Representatives, Councils and other meetings;
• Engaging European institutions, Member States and stakeholders to promote UK interests.

Administrative support will involve:

• Managing the State Aid mailbox, distributing documents, preparing correspondence, and acting as a contact point for the UK State Aid Branch, UK Departments, and the European Commission;
• Preparation of documents and provision of support for Council, Committee of Permanent Representative, and Working Group meetings;
• Managing the travel and entertainment budge for five desk officers;
• Supervision and management of office supplies;
• Other standard office support duties including information management and IT support.

Required skills

Essential

• An ability to manage and prioritise own workload and that of others to deliver objectives;
• Excellent team-working and interpersonal/relationship management skills;
• An ability to take the initiative, solve problems, and to make evidence-based decisions;
• Strong written and oral communications skills, including the ability to manage, summarise and present information effectively;
• Flexibility and the ability to work successfully under pressure;
• An ability to manage own personal development;
• A good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Desirable

• French or other European language skills;
• Experience of working with the European institutions and an understanding of EU legislative processes, particularly in the field of competition and state aid;
• Experience of working with the UK Government.

This position will be filled on a fixed term contract.
Gross monthly salary: € 2286.10 (plus this position currently carries a responsibility allowance).

Applications with a CV and a one-page covering letter with supporting statement in English should be sent to the Recruitment Officer, CSB, Ave d’Auderghem 10, 1040 Brussels (brussels.recruitment@fco.gov.uk) by Monday 6th August 2012. Include your full name in the message title and your email and attachments must not exceed 300kB in size.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Belgium.
Only applicants selected for interview will be contacted with the intention to interview during the week commencing on the 20th August. The successful applicant will be expected to start during the first half of September, subject to security vetting, references and administrative processes.

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.