Second Secretary, Climate and Environment

Position description

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, 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 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 two capable and highly motivated attachés to work in the Social and Environment Section on a range of high priority issues.

The post is for an attaché to work within the Environment and Climate team, leading on climate and environment issues. As part of a small team the jobholder will need to be flexible to support colleagues across a range of issues.

The successful applicants will represent the UK in negotiations to achieve UK objectives across the social and environment agenda. They will work with UK colleagues across UK government and engage with other Member States, European institutions and stakeholders to influence the development of policy.

This is a challenging job at the heart of the UK Representation so the successful applicants will need to prove that they have good judgement, a solid track record in delivering results and that they are, above all, a genuine team player. A solid understanding of the EU Institutions will be essential and previous policy experience would be an asset.

Main responsibilities will include:

• The jobholder will represent the UK’s interests on relevant policy issues. The roles will include a diverse range of responsibilities, including negotiating for the UK within the relevant Working Parties, representing the UK on Committees and informal events, reporting to Whitehall departments on developments, developing negotiating and influencing strategies, managing logistics and supporting Ministers and Ambassadors at Council meetings. You will work across the social/environment agenda, with responsibility for relevant dossiers. The ongoing negotiations will require the post holder to be confident in understanding detail as well as the big picture;
• This role will offer excellent opportunities to work closely with the European Commission, the European Parliament, other Member States, stakeholders and a range of UK Government Departments. The post-holders will enjoy regular visibility with Ministers, MEPs and senior officials. The post-holders must be able to engage and advise effectively at these levels;
• Working as part of the Social and Environment team the jobholders will be responsible for:
  • Leadership: Leading on specific policy areas, representing the UK in formal and informal settings;
  • Policy Development: Working with colleagues across UK government to understand, influence and develop UK positions;
  • Engagement: Engage with the European institutions, opposite numbers from other Member States and stakeholders, including through expert committees and working parties;
  • Briefing and analysis: Analysing issues, understanding other countries’ positions and formulating policy to provide reports and briefing to colleagues in Brussels and London, as well as supporting senior UK Officials and Ministers;
  • Negotiating and influencing: Working with a range of actors to deliver UK policy goals; building strong and resilient personal relationships with other delegations and institutions.
• This is the last year that the UK will be a member of the EU. We will continue to work closely with the EU as part of our future relationship, maintaining a strong presence in Brussels. Roles within UKREP will therefore evolve as the UK leaves the EU and moves towards a new economic partnership. This is likely to include a changing balance and focus in the activities of the jobholder although some of the core activities will remain.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Previous Policy Experience;
• Level of Degree;
• Knowledge and understanding of the EU institutions and processes;
• The post-holder will need to demonstrate high quality drafting and communication skills;
• Excellent skills in building and managing relationships. There is considerable personal autonomy, exposure and responsibility;
• Excellent skills to effectively influence and negotiate with others.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Knowledge and understanding of climate and environment policy;
• Team/line management experience.

Required competencies

• Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace.

Application deadline: 18 April 2018
Grade: C4 (L)
Type of Position: Full-time, Permanent
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): 4984,46 gross
Start Date: 15 May 2018

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time position for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week.

The monthly gross salary for this position is € 4.984,46 C4 (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

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 Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

Application instructions

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