British Embassy LE III Policy Support Officer, European Parliament Section, UKREP

Brussels, Belgium

Summary

A full time vacancy has arisen for a locally engaged LEIII Policy Support Officer in the European Parliament (EP) Section of the UK Representation to the EU (UKREP) to provide administrative and policy support to the Section.

The EP section leads on relations with the European Parliament within UKREP. The post-holder will work closely with Brussels- and London-based UK officials as well as contacts in the European Parliament. Depending on workloads, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to lead on engagement with one or more EP policy committees and there may be scope to visit the EP in Strasbourg. They will also provide administrative support to the team. This post offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience of the EP’s role and decision-making process.

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

The job will be split 60% administrative and 40% policy, and is suited to an enthusiastic and outgoing individual keen to work flexibly as part of a small team.

Administrative Support (approximately 60%)

Providing proactive, effective administrative support to the UKREP EP section. Immediate responsibilities such as:

• Arranging travel and meetings;
• Processing expense claims;
• Collect and distribute daily section mail;
• Handling IT support requests;
• Scanning, decrypting and filing documents;
• Supervision and management of office supplies;
• Organising visits to the EP, including at Senior official, Ambassadorial and Ministerial level;
• Helping to process written questions from MEPs, in liaison with Whitehall and UKRep colleagues, ensuring that the UK provides timely input to the draft replies where appropriate;
• Providing support and preparing documents for the Head of Section’s Council working group (there will also be opportunities to attend the working group);
• Under supervision of section budget-holder, manage and monitor EP section budget in accordance with FCO best practice;
• Longer-term responsibilities for improvement of the EP Section administrative structure.

Policy Support (approximately 40%)

Providing effective support for EP Section in policy delivery including through:

• Take responsibility and lead on some EP committees, providing a monitoring and reporting role where needed, in liaison with UKREP and London colleagues;
• Assist team members during busy periods with their committee and other related work;
• Assisting with ad hoc policy and projects;
• Commissioning instructions and briefing from London for working groups;
• Lobbying European institutions, other member states and wider stakeholders to promote UK interests;
• Reporting to London and posts on relevant EU developments;
• Representing the UK at external events and stakeholder meeting.

Essential Skills

• 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;
• Applicants should have an excellent command of English (written, spoken and comprehension) and strong command of French;
• Flexibility and the ability to work successfully under pressure;
• An ability to manage own personal development.

Desirable Skills

• Relevant educational and professional experience is highly desirable;
• IT skills would be an asset;
• Other European language skills;
• Experience of working with the European institutions and in particular the European Parliament;
• Experience of working with the UK Government.

Additional Information and Application

Gross monthly salary: €2286.10.

This position will be filled on a fixed term contract and appointment will be subject to security vetting procedures and reference checks.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Belgium. Please note that only those applicants called for interview will be contacted.

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 Tuesday 25 September 2012. 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.

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.