Political Specialist at U.S. Mission to the EU

Basic Function of Position:
Serves as the U.S. Mission to the European Union’s observer and senior analyst of EU political and institutional developments. Jobholder monitors, evaluates and reports on EU policies with regard to the entire range of political issues of relevance between the U.S. and the EU. Serves as the U.S. Mission’s primary expert on EU Treaties and institutions, dynamics, decision-making, and history.

Duties include:

• Covers selected high-level EU meetings, including meetings of the European Council, Council (ministerial) and other events in Brussels, Luxembourg, and occasionally, other EU cities, observing and reporting on decisions and policy-making proceedings first-hand. On a daily basis, monitors and reports on announcements by top-level EU leaders, the EU Commission and the EU Council Secretariat. Reviews official websites, press reports, academic journals, periodicals, and social media.
• Writes regular and special analytical and factual reports on the full spectrum of matters addressed in the European Council, EU Council and Commission. These reports require independent contact work, research and analytical ability to forecast future developments, including impact of Treaty changes and senior-level appointments to EU bodies.
• Develops and maintains contact with mid- and high-level EU Commission and Council officials, member state representation officials, third-country diplomats, think-tanks, academicians, and the international press corps involved in the formulation or monitoring of EU positions and developments in foreign policy and other areas.
• Briefs and advises the Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, Counselors, and other Mission staff on EU developments. Explains EU mechanics, institutions, and procedures. Forecasts outcomes of significant EU developments. Meets with political section officers on a daily basis to assess significance and importance of current developments. Briefs official visitors on EU topics and helps arrange appointments for them. Provides language interpretation and translation for mission officers and official visitors if needed.
• Provides training to a broad range of U.S. officials on organization, competences, and operations in the context of broader EU decision-making. This training may take the form of structured presentations, informal and often impromptu briefings to senior U.S. visitors, or written briefing materials.

Qualifications Required:

• Education: Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in international studies, foreign relations, political science, economics, journalism, law, history, or public administration.
• Experience: Minimum five years’ practical experience working in government, media, academia, research, think-tanks, or legal fields, in journalism involving reporting on political issues or EU affairs or equivalent work requiring written analysis of politics or economics, with a particular focus on EU affairs.
• Language Skills: Level IV (fluency) in English and French.
• Job Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of the politics, economics, institutions, history, and key political figures of the European Union and relevant third countries. Must have a sound grasp of U.S. government organization and foreign policy objectives.
• Skills and Abilities: Ability to exercise initiative and judgment in developing and maintaining an extensive range of contacts among the EU institutions, member state representations, journalistic and academic communities, and private sector. Ability to initiate, plan, organize, and execute analytical projects. Ability to manage time and work priorities under pressure. Ability to synthesize complex events and trends into concise, easily-understood, written and oral reports. Ability to give objective advice with detachment. Ability to do informal translations of French texts into English.

Interested applicants must submit their application through the website of the U.S. Embassy:http://belgium.usembassy.gov/jobs.html by April 17, 2016.