Political and Communications Officer (BEL24.306)

Political and Communications Officer (BEL24.306)

FCDO – Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Brussels, Belgium

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: Communications, Press and Media, Political

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy to Belgium is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. We are looking for a high performing Political and Communications Officer to provide sound media and political analysis to the Embassy and run (jointly) our UKinBelgium social media channels.

The Political and Communications Officer will be part of the Political and Public Diplomacy Team (PPD) which sits at the heart of the British Embassy to Belgium. The PPD team provides reporting, analysis and external communications to support a range of UK interests in Belgium, including economic, security, climate change and foreign policy.

This is one of two Political and Communications Officer roles in the Embassy. The role is line managed by the Head of Strategic Communications, and supports the Head of Politics with setting up meetings and delivering reporting and analysis. The exact balance of time between politics and comms with flex according to priorities.

This is a challenging, varied and fast-moving job which requires a significant degree of independent working, contact-making and flexibility. You will be expected to confidently run the UKinBelgium social media accounts, monitor media in a timely manner and report on ongoing Belgian political developments. You will need to deal confidently and fluently with a broad range of contacts, including in the media, Belgian and UK Governments. You will occasionally support the Ambassador and others at external meetings.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Monitor the French and Dutch language Belgian media (early starts (e.g. 0800) are required on a shift basis) and report;
• Build and use a network of contacts to contribute to your analysis and reporting;
• Contribute to the Embassy’s broader analysis and reporting on Belgian political developments, key decision-makers and groups;
• Communicate the Embassy and the UK Government’s work and priorities on the Embassy’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn accounts and gov.uk website (on a shift basis);
• Support the Head of Politics in researching aspects of the Belgian political landscape; setting up, attending and reporting back on meetings;
• Engage actively and innovatively with online communities as the UK in Belgium’s digital voice. Ensure prompt response to social media queries;
• Help with the organisation of media at public diplomacy events and high-level visits to promote UK interests in Belgium including liaising with internal and external contacts such as the media;
• Oversee the public enquiries mail system and other administrative work such as database management.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Full professional proficiency in English, French and Dutch written and spoken language skills in addition to fluency of one, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*;
• Knowledge of the Belgian political system;
• Experience in drafting, reporting, good research and analytical skills;
• A Bachelor’s Degree in relevant areas as Politics, History, Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Journalism or similar but not exclusively;
• Full proficiency in MS Office applications – particularly Excel;
• Strong team-working skills – ability to work effectively and flexibly in both a small and wider team;
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and prioritisation skills;
• Confident and ability to take the initiative and be creative;
• Ability to deliver at speed.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Proven experience of running social media accounts: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn;
• Spot talent and build relationships with established and up-and-coming political contacts;
• Previous press office experience.

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together.

Application deadline: 1 September 2024
Grade: Executive Officer (EO)
Type of Position: Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week: 36.25
Region: Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Type of Post: British Embassy
Number of vacancies: 1
Salary Currency: EUR
Salary: 5,375.37
Start Date: 14 October 2024

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time (5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week), permanent contract.

The monthly gross salary for this position is € 5,375.37 (EO) level. In addition, we offer an extensive salary package, which includes a 13^th month, luncheon vouchers, pension scheme, optional hospitalisation insurance (subject to monthly employee contribution), reimbursement of public transport and a lot more. We offer more days of annual leave than the Belgian requirements.

Willingness to work additional hours as necessary (time off in lieu is given).

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.

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

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

Passport: officers are expected to be in possession of a passport due to the possibility that they may be asked to undertake business travel.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Belgium and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Additional information

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR.

Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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