Political Attaché - Centenary of the Battle of Passchendaele

FCO - Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Brussels, Belgium

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Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: Political

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Bilateral Embassy in Belgium is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking for a Political Attaché for a temporary basis (12 months).

The principal aim will be to manage the Embassy contribution to the delivery of the UK Government’s Centenary Commemorations of the Third Battle of Ypres/Ieper (the Battle of Passchendaele), including support for any associated VIP and senior official visits.

The Commemoration will be a landmark, high-profile event in the UK Government’s Programme of Commemorations to mark the Centenary of the First World War. The post holder will also manage the UK input to other Passchendaele commemorative events.

It is an opportunity to participate in high level meetings with Belgian contacts at local and federal level as well as colleagues in the key UK ministries and the Royal Palace. In addition, the job-holder will also manage the Embassy’s preparations for the next high-level Belgo-British conference (the UK and Belgian Government’s bilateral conference series). Main responsibilities will include:

Battle of Passchendaele Commemoration, Summer 2017

• Working with the UK’s Department for Culture Media and Sport, to project manage the British Embassy’s contribution to delivery of a successful UK Centenary Commemoration of the Battle of Passchendaele during the summer of 2017. Develop systems to monitor the project's progress;
• Work closely with British and Belgian stakeholders (including Belgian federal, regional and local government and British and Belgian military) to ensure successful delivery of the project; 
• Ensure the commemorative event helps deliver against the Embassy’s wider bilateral objectives.

Wider commemorations

• Ensure appropriate UK engagement in other commemorations around the Battle of Passchendaele, liaising with the Embassy’s Defence team and other diplomatic missions.

Belgo-British Conference

• Leading the Embassy management of the British contribution to the next Belgo British Conference to ensure a successful event with outcomes to support UK objectives; secure effective UK participation, including at ministerial level.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Fluent written and spoken English;
• Proven ability to work independently;
• Good interpersonal & influencing skills to be able to communicate effectively with more senior colleagues;
• Exceptional organisational skills and keen attention to detail;
• Proven ability to work and deliver results under pressure;
• Ability to draft clear communications;
• Good IT skills - essential to be familiar with Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint;
• Available to work extended hours during peak periods, particularly in the run-up to the Commemoration in Summer 2017;
• Available to travel around Belgium (primarily to Ieper).

Desirable qualifications and experience 

• Fluent written and spoken Dutch;
• Project Management skills;
• Event management experience;
• Knowledge of Belgian political system.

Required competencies

Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Engaging Internationally.

Application deadline: 20 June 2016
Grade: B3 (L)
Type of Position: Fixed Term, Full-time
Working hours per week: 36.25
Region: Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Type of Post: British Embassy
Number of vacancies: 1
Starting monthly salary (EUR): 2,736.57
Start Date: 1 September 2016

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time, one year fixed-term contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week, but the successful candidate should be ready to attend events outside working hours.

The monthly salary for this position is € 2,736.57 B3 (L) level (The British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium salaries are not subject to annual indexation).

Please note that Belgian nationals will be paid their salary gross and are expected to comply with their tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Belgian authorities. Non-Belgian nationals will receive their salary net, minus the deduction of an equivalent level of Belgian tax retained at source. Further information on this will be given to candidates during the recruitment process.

The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance.

Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.

Additional information

Only applications submitted by 20th June 2016 at 11:55 pm will be accepted.