View Vacancy – Defence Policy & Strategy Support Officer, Defence Policy & Nuclear Team, British Defence Staff USA

Main purpose of job:

Lead on a coherent and sustainable programme of senior engagement, and conduct research in support of the team’s defence strategy and policy work. Cohere the team’s think tank engagement, including arranging and attending Think Tank discussions on key topics of interests. Recruit and Manage the Policy intern twice annually.

Administrative tasks – acting as point of contact for incoming external enquiries, information management, security management, logistical support for internal and external meetings.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

You will undertake a range of activity, including conducting research in support of the team’s strategy and policy work by attending Think Tank discussions and events and reporting back to the team and London on the content. You will be responsible for leading a coherent and sustainable programme of visits from UK and Minsters and senior government officials. You will work flexibly within the team and provide vital support to time-critical tasks from London.

Excellent problem solving and judgement skills are essential as you will frequently need to respond to unforeseen obstacles, including last minute changes to visit programmes. You will need to demonstrate a keen attention to detail to ensure consistently high-standards for visits and meetings.

You will also act as the point of contact for incoming external enquiries, policy research, and logistical support for internal and external meetings, information management and other ad hoc administrative tasks in support of the Defence Policy team. Exceptional organisation and prioritisation skills are required as is flexibility to respond to competing team requirements.

You will need to work consistently well under pressure and engage confidently and effectively with staff at all levels. You will need to have effective communicating and influencing skills to engage with the military and civilian authorities as well as stakeholders and customers in the UK and US.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

 Policy Support and administration of DPN section   (50%):

Conduct research for BDSUS Defence Policy & Strategy team.

·       Cohere the policy team’s think tank and congressional engagement, including through attendance at, and reporting on, think tank discussions, congressional hearings, research institutions and events. Actively monitor key topics and trends within these communities.

·       Support to the bilateral secretariat function led from London which includes ministerial correspondence, Parliamentary Questions, Freedom of Information requests, judicial engagement, briefing and reporting tasks.

·       Responsible for minutes and papers for internal Embassy meetings.

·       Regularly attend internal FCDO/BDS meetings and provide readouts for the team.

·       Providing logistical support for events and external meetings.

·       Assist the team with general administrative tasks by maintaining and updating contact lists, CVs and databases and other ad hoc requirements for the section.

·       Manage the DPN SharePoint Site and Annual Leave Tracker.

Leading on the DPN team’s preparation, organisation   and administration of Ministerial, VIP and senior official level engagements   (50%):

·       Drive and manage a coherent and sustainable programme of visits and meetings which are timed and sequenced to deliver against UK priorities.

·       Main point of contact for senior defence policy and ministerial engagement, ensuring clarity on visit/meeting objectives and our deliverables, and arranging official meetings and calls.

·       Coordinate briefings, arranging and finalising programmes for visits, often to tight deadlines, ensuring accuracy of information.

·       Maintaining a record of all visit programmes and briefing packs for future reference.

·       Manage the 3* Visits Tracker on behalf of DPN.

·       Support wider embassy and British Defence Staff events.

Highly developed organisational skills; Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; Advanced skills with Microsoft Office Suite; Ability to prioritise in a fast-paced work environment, observing deadlines and achieving high quality results; Ability to work effectively with others