Joint Diary Secretary

FCO - Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Brussels, Belgium

An opportunity has arisen in the UK Joint Delegation to NATO in Brussels. This is a full time, fixed-term position working as Joint Diary Secretary for the UK Military Representative to NATO and the EU (MILREP) and the UK Permanent Representative to NATO (PERMREP). 

This is a fascinating time to be working at the forefront of UK defence and security policy in NATO Headquarters in the run-up to the UK-hosted NATO Summit in Wales in September 2014. The successful applicant will work as part of the MILREP’s Outer Office and the PERMREP’s Private Office, providing diary, secretarial and general office support to ensure the smooth running of both offices.

Other responsibilities include:

• Managing the diaries of both MILREP and PERMREP, including organising meetings and social engagements; 
• Assisting with preparation and management of incoming and outgoing correspondence and briefing packs; 
• Assisting with escorting senior military and diplomatic visitors calling on MILREP and PERMREP; 
• Booking travel for PERMREP; 
• Providing telephone and message support to the Private and Outer Office staff; 
• Organising meetings including booking and setting up of rooms; 
• Provide general office and administrative support as required as part of the Private and Outer Office teams, including information management and record keeping. 

The successful candidate will:

• Have a general interest in the work of NATO and UK foreign and defence policy; 
• Have proven PA/secretarial skills, preferably at a senior level; 
• Have excellent English oral and written communication skills; 
• Have strong IT skills; 
• Relish the opportunity to work as part of a joint MOD-FCO team; 
• Have an open and flexible approach, drawing on the skills and experience of others to improve results; 
• Be prepared to work late on an ad-hoc basis in support of meetings of Chiefs of Defence Staff and Foreign and Defence Ministers and the NATO Summit; 
• Have an understanding of French (desirable not essential) or other European languages. 

Essential Core Competencies:

• Future: Seeing the big picture;
• Engaging People: Leading and communicating;
• Delivering Results: Managing a quality service; 
• International: Engaging internationally. 

This position will be subject to satisfactory completion of UK security checks, and be filled on a 4 year fixed term contract. Only British citizens who have lived recently in the UK are likely to fulfil the security requirements. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Belgium. 

Gross Monthly Salary: € 2286.10 

Applications with a full CV in English and cover letter outlining how you meet the essential skills should be sent to the Recruitment Officer (brussels.recruitment@fco.gov.uk), Corporate Services Benelux (CSB), Avenue d’Auderghem 10, 1040 Brussels by 08th June 2014. Interviews will be held mid June with the view of the successful candidate starting after completion of security clearance 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 physical disability. We aim to reflect the diversity of society.