Head of Trade - UK Defence and Security Exports (Belgium, Luxembourg and NATO)

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category: Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Job Subcategory: Department for Business and Trade (DBT)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Who are we?

The British Embassy in Brussels is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. The UK’s Department for Business & Trade (DBT) in Brussels is looking for a Head of Trade for UK Defence & Security exports covering Belgium, Luxembourg and NATO.

We aim to be a diverse and inclusive employer, welcoming to people of all backgrounds.

Our Setting:

The DBT Brussels team is made up of approximately 12 staff, based at the British Embassy in Brussels. It is part of the DBT Europe Region (around 300 staff in 34 countries in total) and works closely with colleagues in London and across the UK to improve market access for business and boost exports and investment. DBT’s work is crucial to supporting the UK economy.

Main purpose of job:

To lead DBT’s Defence & Security trade campaign for Belgium, Luxembourg and NATO by promoting defence and security export opportunities across Belgium, Luxembourg and NATO to UK Industry. You will develop and successfully implement the annual business plan and leading the defence & security trade team.

However, all roles and responsibilities in DBT Brussels are flexible and our staff adapt their work in line with Ministerial priorities and developments in the UK and local markets. The role includes any other duties that may reasonably be required in support of the wider work of the Embassy.

This is a high profile and senior role in which you will be responsible for:

• the overall coordination of the BeLux & NATO defence and security trade campaign within a wider BENELUX Defence and Security regional team structure;
• the development and successful implementation of the annual defence and security business plan for BeLux and NATO;
• promoting and increasing awareness of defence and security export opportunities across Belgium and Luxembourg to UK Industry, and increasing UK trade support with NATO;
• providing regular updates, intelligence sharing, access to contacts and wider account management to the industry to secure business wins;
• strategic account management of the key UK companies in the defence & security sector;
• coordination of activities, contact engagement, and information sharing with HMG departments across the Ministry of Defence, Home Office, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and Department for Business and Trade Defence and Security Exports team, including sector specific UK trade associations;
• leading on the design, coordination and organisation of key industry engagement activities and events, in collaboration with key partners;
• leading on senior visits to the BeLux region and to NATO;
• managing the defence & security team, currently a Trade Adviser, mainly focusing on NATO;
• contributing to the work of the Embassy trade team, ensuring the delivery of agreed and set trade team targets and contributing to the wider economic diplomacy agenda of the British Embassy;
• all roles and responsibilities in DBT Brussels are flexible and our staff adapt their work in line with Ministerial priorities and developments in the British and local markets, so responsibilities can evolve.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate has:

• Proficiency in spoken and written English (minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
• Proficiency in spoken and written Dutch and/or French (minimum of B1 level for CEFR framework*)
• Experience in a business development in an international context;
• Excellent organisational, presentation, drafting and networking skills;
• Flexibility, a pro-active and entrepreneurial attitude;
• Excellent people skills;
• Effective time management and ability to handle the multiple priorities of the role within the agreed deadline;
• Strong account management experience and excellent customer relation building skills. The ability to deal with customers at the most senior levels of decision making;
• Good IT skills;
• Flexibility for occasional out of hours work and travel.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Good to have:

• Knowledge of the Belgian and UK business scenes;
• Knowledge of NATO;
• A good knowledge of the defence and/or security sector and of its procurement processes;
• Experience of managing a team.

Required behaviours:

Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture.

Application deadline: 10 February 2025
Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position: Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week: 36 hours 15 mins
Region: Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Type of Post: British Embassy
Number of vacancies: 1
Salary Currency: EUR
Salary: 6,931.62
Type of Salary: monthly
Start Date: 12 May 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a permanent full-time position, for 5 working days, 36hrs 15mins per week.

The monthly gross salary for this position is € 6,931.62 (HEO level). In addition, we offer an extensive salary package, which includes a 13th 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.

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.

Application instructions

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