View Vacancy – Deputy Spokesperson, Prosperity & Sustainability (BEL21.309)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.Ā  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.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Communications, Press and Media

Our daily work relies on the input of dedicated individuals who engage on many different topics and activities. We seek to employ a diverse range of candidates who bring their own talents and perspectives to the role. We have a strong corporate agenda that ensures we create a positive and inclusive working environment where everyone is valued for their contribution.

The UK Mission to the European Union (UKMis) aims to ensure the UKā€™s interests are promoted and explained to EU member states and the EU institutions, as well as monitoring and reporting on key developments in the EU. UKMis Brussels is one of the UKā€™s busiest diplomatic posts, with a varied team working on a wide range of issues across UK government business.

UKMis Brussels is part of a world-wide network of 230 Diplomatic Posts, representing British political, economic and consular interests. We are now looking for a dedicatedĀ Deputy Spokesperson, Prosperity & SustainabilityĀ to assist in the delivery of ours communications and policy work.

As Deputy Spokesperson (Prosperity & Sustainability), you will be part of a dynamic, high-profile and fast-paced team, providing strategic direction across the spectrum of our communication work at the UK Mission to the EU. This is a high-profile role that will put the jobholder at the heart of shaping our future relationship with the EU.

You will be the lead press officer for specific policy issues in the UK Mission, with a particular focus on the following (although portfolios will change depending on priorities):

– Climate & Energy;

– Biodiversity;

– Agriculture & Fisheries;

– Economic & Financial issues;

– Trade.

Several of these are areas where there are high levels of media interest and political attention. This will require attention to detail and good political judgement. You will also support policy teams to take a campaigning approach, particularly on issues linked to climate, sustainability and biodiversity

You will work with teams across the mission to ensure they are using the full range of public diplomacy and communications toolsĀ  to advance their policy objectives. You will also advise visiting Ministers on the communications aspects of their visits, working closely with their press teams and advisors.

You will have a close relationship with the press corps in Brussels, one of the largest in the world, including top British, European and International journalists. You will also have strong links into London departments, including No.10, Cabinet Office, FCDO, DEFRA, BEIS and HMT and to comms professionals across the FCDO Europe Network.

The role may change as priorities evolve, so applicants should be prepared to be flexible.

The team has a strong culture of learning and development and you will be encouraged and supported to stretch yourself and take up a wide range of development opportunities, as well as to support the development of junior staff.

We welcome applications from all parts of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or background. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in all that we do, and we are aĀ Disability Confident employer

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The job-holder will be expected to further UKMisā€™ business goals through a wide range of communications activities, including:

– Dealing with press enquiries, and proactively shaping media engagement on key policy areas;

– Developing social media plans and content, in partnership with the digital comms officer;

– Delivering comms aspects of high level visits and events;

– Supporting policy teams to use full range of communications and influencing tools in support of policy goals;

– Media monitoring and reporting to a senior Whitehall audience;

– Line management of digital comms officer.

All staff at UKMis are expected to make a strong corporate contribution, for instance by getting involved in cross-Mission activity as a member of one of our active staff committees (e.g. L&D, wellbeing, diversity & inclusion, womenā€™s network, greening committee etc).

  • Full professional proficiency in English, including excellent writing skills (written and spoken, minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework*);
  • At least 3 years of experience of working with the media, including on complex policy issues;
  • Social media skillsĀ (including creating content for twitter, Instagram and other social media platforms);
  • Knowledge of the EU policy making process in Brussels;
  • Flexible approach and team player;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
  • Good IT skills: Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, MS Teams, PowerPoint etc.) .

  • Understanding of the UK;
  • Proficiency in French or another modern European language;
  • Ability to produce unique video and stills social media content;
  • Experience of delivering high level visits or events.

Making Effective Decisions, Leading and Communicating, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace
24 August 2021
C4 (L)
Full-time, Permanent
36.25
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
UK Mission to the European Union (UKMIS), Brussels
UK Delegation
1
5,471.76 (gross)
1 December 2021

This is a permanent full-time contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week. The monthly gross salary for this position is ā‚¬ 5,471.76, C4 level. In addition, we offer an extensive salary package, which includes a 13 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.

Please note,Ā Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following linkĀ CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.

Please be advised that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field ā€œApplication deadlineā€.

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 aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.
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