UK Representation to the EU (UKREP) Education, Youth, Audiovisual, Culture & Sport

United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union

Brussels, Belgium

A full-time vacancy as described below has arisen in the UK’s Permanent Representation to the European Union (UKRep). 

UKRep’s role is to represent the UK in formal negotiations on European initiatives. It is also the UK’s first line of contact with the other EU institutions (European Commission and European Parliament) and other EU Member States. The post offers a unique opportunity to be based at the heart of the UK’s relationship with the EU, providing an excellent insight into the way things get done in Brussels.

Main Role

This job provides an excellent opportunity to develop and drive forward a dynamic and diverse policy agenda. This is an exciting role in which the postholder will be responsible within UKREP for delivering a series of challenging UK objectives in EU negotiations in the fields of: Education, Youth, Audiovisual, Culture & Sport. 

The post-holder will work in partnership with UK colleagues on policy development, with particular responsibility for advice on policy delivery and handling in the Brussels context. The role involves responsibility for delivery of negotiating priorities in Brussels through representing the UK in Council and through working closely with the European Parliament, others in UKRep and Commission officials. The job provides frequent and direct exposure to senior officials and Ministers, and requires a high level of personal responsibility and independent working. It is therefore ideal for a motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal and analytical skills. It also requires excellent judgement and strong tactical and strategic awareness.

This role will involve:

• Working in partnership with the lead Whitehall departments (DCMS, BIS, DfE, Cabinet Office and Treasury) and the Devolved Administrations to develop, co-ordinate and refine UK negotiating objectives on a range of challenging, interesting and at times, difficult dossiers;
• Representing the UK in formal negotiations in 4 Council working groups and working closely with other European Institutions, notably the Commission and European Parliament, in order to ensure that UK positions are understood and supported; 
• Managing the smooth running of an entire Council formation – EYCS – which can involve 4 different Ministers attending meetings spanning 2 days;
• Keeping in touch with key UK and EU non-governmental stakeholders who have an interest in these policy areas; 
• Line management of one member of staff.

Skills Required

Essential

• Previous experience of EU negotiations and/or working with the EU institutions;
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills, with proven ability to influence others; 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, building co-operative and productive working relationships; 
• Ability to deliver results, including where necessary by prioritising and multi-tasking; 
• Evidence of being an independent self-starter, able to organise own work with minimal supervision.

Desirable

• Some previous exposure to working with the UK’s civil service;
• Good level of other EU languages, esp. spoken French; 
• Previous line management experience.

This position will be filled on a fixed term contract. 

Gross Monthly Salary: €3444.87 per month. 

Applications with a full CV in English should be sent to Recruitment Officer (brussels.recruitment@fco.gov.uk), CSB, Avenue d’Auderghem 10, 1040 Brussels by 17:00 p.m. on 26 July 2013. Interviews will take place during the week commencing 29 July 2013. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Belgium, and ideally be able to start at UKREP on 2 September 2013.

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.