View Vacancy – Executive Assistant to the Defence Attaché (BEL21.338)


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.

Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)

MOD (Ministry of Defence)

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 British Embassy in Brussels is part of a world-wide network of 230 Diplomatic Posts, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. We are looking for an Executive Assistant to the Defence Attaché to provide a wide range of administrative, event management, representational and occasional driving support to the Defence Attaché.

 

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Manage the Defence Attaché (DA)’s schedule of events to maximise effect; coordinate and advise on UK representation at Defence and ceremonial events; respond to all invitations in an appropriate and timely manner, prepare/brief DA for events;
  • Lead the coordination of, and administrative support for, office calls, meetings, and larger events including dinners and receptions. Some coordination with Ambassador’s Private Office required;
  • Manage all Diplomatic Clearances requested for UK military presence/activity in Belgium and Luxembourg. Act as point of contact with the Belgian and Luxembourg authorities; process the necessary administrative documents; maintain contact with UK military units. This requires a willingness to be on-call outside of normal working hours, for occasional urgent requests;
  • Maintain Defence Section accounts and auditable records and returns on behalf of the DA;
  • Act as first point of contact when dealing with public enquiries;
  • Manage transport arrangements with Embassy transport team, as well as undertaking occasional driving duties, for events across Belgium and Luxembourg; to ensure the DA’s safe and timely arrival (occasional overnight or weekend trips may be requested by mutual agreement);
  • Organise own workload and take independent decisions as necessary to ensure timely and accurate execution of duties.

  • Full professional proficiency in English, including excellent writing skills (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
  • Excellent communication skills, in spoken and written English;
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills;
  • Ability to multi-task, plan ahead and prioritise;
  • Confidence to manage own workload and make informed decisions;
  • Good attention to detail, numeracy and spreadsheet competence;
  • Strong inter-personal skills.

  • Knowledge of both, or at least one of Dutch and French – highly desirable;
  • Good IT skills, particularly in the use of Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Word, and Excel – highly desirable;
  • Ability to cope with tight deadlines – highly desirable;
  • Willingness to take initiative in the absence of direction – desirable.
  • Flexibility working within an international environment – desirable;
  • Ability to drive to a high standard, safely – highly desirable;

Making Effective Decisions, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace, Engaging Internationally




5 September 2021

A2 (L)

Full-time, Permanent

36.25

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Belgium

Brussels

British Embassy

1

3,486.19 (gross)




1 November 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 € 3,486.19, A2 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.

Please note, 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 link 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 “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.

Information due to COVID-19:

  • You may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign and we are working hard to minimise any disruption;
  • Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;
  • Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.

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.



To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate on the application form /in your cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.

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