Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Chancery
Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption. You may find more information in the Additional Information section below.
The British Embassy in Berne is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas.
We are recruiting a Political Affairs Intern, offering opportunities to an enthusiastic candidate to gain political engagement and reporting skills and develop administrative ones in a diplomatic mission. This is a varied and challenging role as part of an engaged and supportive team. It comes at a promising time for UK-Swiss and UK-Liechtenstein relations, on the back of enhanced cooperation leading up to, and since, the UK’s departure from the EU.
Main responsibilities will include:
- Contribute political analysis by researching, briefing, engaging, lobbying and reporting on a range of foreign policy issues in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The successful applicant will develop a network of contacts in and beyond government, and be instrumental in realising opportunities presented by the UK Government’s bold foreign, defence, security and development vision for 2030 (the “Integrated Review”);
- Support broader bilateral engagement with Switzerland and Liechtenstein, in particular to increase cooperation under the UK-Swiss Strategic Dialogue process. The Dialogue itself is an annual fixture, setting direction – under headers of foreign policy, prosperity and people-to-people. The successful applicant will also play a key role in the Embassy’s regional engagement, involving research, outreach and the planning of cantonal visits;
- Organise visits of UK Ministers and officials to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. This includes coordinating Embassy inputs, developing programme and briefing content, pursuing outreach and arranging logistics. It requires excellent self-organisation and flexibility – and, at times, resilience and an ability to work fast under pressure;
- General administrative support, including monitoring of media, provision of translations, and maintenance of administrative tracking tools which monitor progress across team work.
- Fluent written and spoken English (minimum level required C1 under the CEFRL or equivalent *);
- Fluent written and spoken German or French (minimum level required C1 for under the CEFRL or equivalent *);
- Accurate, clear and engaging written and oral communication skills;
- Knowledge of Swiss politics and economics;
- Track record of academic achievement;
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Office experience;
- Knowledge of international politics;
- Familiarity with Microsoft IT systems.
Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service, Engaging Internationally, Demonstrating Resilience
6 June 2021
Internship
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
40
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Switzerland
Berne
British Embassy
1
2,190
19 July 2021
All applicants should have permission to live and work in Switzerland. Applicants must hold a full passport valid for at least 18 months for any EU / Schengen country.
EU and EFTA nationals do not require visa sponsorship along with Nationals of: Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Principality of Andorra, Principality of Monaco, San Marino, Singapore, United Kingdom, Vatican.
The British Embassy will offer the intern a monthly training allowance of CHF 2,190. Please note that interns will need to arrange and pay for their own travel and accommodation, as well as any other living costs and are subject to Swiss taxes.This internship will be for a period of 6 months with the possibility of extension by mutual agreement.
The final appointment and commencement of internship will be dependent upon successful security clearance.
Please note 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.
Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.
* 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.
Additional 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;
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Interviews will be done remotely if the existing situation determines this to be the right course of action;
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Starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and it will be agreed with the selected candidate.
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.