Senior Parliamentary Officer - United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union

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Job Category: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: UKREP (UK Representation to the EU)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The UK Permanent Representation to the EU (UKRep) works within the EU and its member states to maximise British influence on issues such as trade, the single market and economic growth and is now looking for a Senior Parliamentary Officer to work within the Competitiveness and Markets Section.

This is a high profile, exciting role offering a unique overview of working with the UK Government, the EU institutions and other stakeholders.

The successful applicant can expect to engage directly with MEPs to represent UK views and positions, as well as taking the initiative to advise UKRep, Whitehall officials and UK Ministers on European Parliament (EP) negotiating dynamics, devising strategies for meeting UK Ministers’ objectives for EU legislation.

The successful applicant will also have strong influencing abilities and an understanding of how to deliver positive results with the EP.

Main responsibilities will include:

• To gather information and monitor political and legislative developments in the EP covering the areas of internal market (with a particular focus on the Digital Single Market), energy and industry policy;
• To report back to Whitehall on parliamentary debates, votes and other events, and on dialogue with MEPs, their assistants and EP staff, providing London with insight into developments and high quality analysis of implications for UK policy, travelling to London to do so in person as appropriate;
• To advise colleagues in Whitehall on how to maximise UK influence in the EP, and plan strategies for delivering Ministers’ objectives; including through helping deliver effective visits;
• To convincingly present UK positions orally and in writing, both formally and informally to MEPs, their assistants and EP staff;
• To identify, build-up and maintain a broad and effective network of contacts in the EP and to help others in UKREP to do so. Use those contacts to promote UK policy interests in the EP;
• To attend Parliamentary Committees, plenary sessions of Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg, seminars and other relevant events, sometimes outside of office hours;
• To coach and support staff in UKRep and the UK in developing expertise on the EP, its personalities, procedures and politics. This includes ensuring the quality of written briefing for MEPs, advising on working with EP; and giving training on working with the EP.

Essential qualifications and experience

• Fluent level written and spoken English;
• A familiarity with the policy issues covered by the role, in particular the Digital Single Market;
• A strong understanding of the roles, structures and procedures of the EP, preferably through direct experience of working or engaging successfully with MEPs;
• Strong interpersonal skills. Proven ability to form professional relationships and build trust with a wide range of contacts including at senior and political level;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. The ability to present an argument clearly and persuasively, varying your communication style to suit your audience;
• Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage conflicting priorities and deliver effectively with a ‘can do’ attitude when working under pressure;
• Proven team player as well as ability to work autonomously on own initiative;
• Ability to familiarise yourself with complex issues.

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Good IT literacy;
• Good presentation skills;
• Experience of managing official social media accounts;
• Command of other EU languages.

Required competencies: Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace, Engaging Internationally
Application deadline: 14 June 2016
Grade: C4 (L)
Type of Position: Fixed Term, Full-time
Working hours per week: 36.25
Region: Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Country/Territory: Belgium
Location (City): UK Permanent Representation to the European Union, Brussels
Type of Post: Political Office
Number of vacancies: 1
Starting monthly salary (EUR): 3,444.87 gross
Start Date: 1 August 2016

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time, four year fixed-term contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week.

The monthly salary for this position is €3,444.87, C4 (L) level (The British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium salaries are not subject to annual indexation). Furthermore this post attracts a retention allowance of €406,83 gross per month and lunch vouchers.

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

The period up to and during the UK Presidency will be extremely busy where the Permanent Representation is at the heart of the Brussels based business.　

This job will involve some long-hours above and beyond the contracted weekly hours, including outside core hours and including some weekend work. The successful candidate will be an integral member of UKRep and as such they will be expected to be flexible and adapt to help cover any potential shift in policy priorities and responsibilities within this busy time. UKRep also has the advantage of offering Time off in Lieu (TOIL) for extra time worked and provides opportunities to take a good amount of time off at August, Christmas, and Easter when there is little activity in the European institutions. UKRep is a great place to work. Our ground-breaking programme ‘UKRep Excellence’ and our in house training hub offers interesting and valuable learning opportunities.

We kindly advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application before the deadline.

Only applications submitted until 14th June 2016 at 11:55 pm will be accepted.