Political and Communications Officer

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 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

Application instructions

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