Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Political
Due to COVID-19, you may experience some delay in the progress of this recruitment campaign. We are working hard to minimise any disruption.
The British Diplomatic Missions in Brussels are part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas, and are now recruiting for a Political & Public Diplomacy Intern.
The Political and Public Diplomacy Team sits at the heart of the British Embassy to Belgium. The team engages the Government of Belgium and provides reporting and analysis and external communications to support a range of UK interests in Belgium, including economic, security and foreign policy. The successful candidate will assist with political research and reporting, deliver Embassy events and wider bilateral activity, and provide administrative support to the team.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- To provide support to the political team, in particular helping with the Embassy’s covid-19 response: keeping close track of COVID-19 policy, developments and providing updates and analysis to the wider team;
- To participate in the political outreach of the Embassy and support bilateral events and meetings on priority areas including climate (the UK will host COP26 next November) and public diplomacy. A creative approach is required given the likely continuation of COVID restrictions on holding large events;
- To assist in the preparations for the Belgo-British conference, a bilateral forum bringing together opinion formers from both countries on important areas of shared interest;
- To offer general administrative support to the Embassy’s PPD section including arranging meetings and databases.
The job description may be subject to change and may evolve over time in response to changing circumstances. The role exists as part of a team and all staff are expected to be flexible in supporting colleagues, particularly at busy times.
- Fluent level of English (C1 level*);
- Intermediate French or Dutch, both oral and written (B2 level*);
- Strong interest and/or background in international relations and UK/Belgian affairs;
- Good organisational and communications skills;
- Strong IT skills (MS Office / Windows);
- Strong team-working skills
Collaborating and Partnering, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Engaging Internationally
9 November 2020
Internship
Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
36.25
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Belgium
Brussels
British Embassy
1
1.000 (gross)
15 December 2020
This is a full-time professional immersion traineeship with the duration of 3 months with possibility of extension for another 3 months, 36.25 hours net for 5 working days a week.
The professional immersion indemnity for this position is €1.000.
Additional benefits including allowances for public transport and daily subsistence costs of €7 per work day are also provided.
As the nature of the events related work will occasionally entail working in the early evening, TOIL (time off in lieu) is given.
The monthly indemnity paid to interns by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium is not subject to annual indexation. 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.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
The British Embassy Brussels offers a large range of Learning and Development opportunities. These include formal learning opportunities through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office International Academy, expert-talks to build knowledge on key areas relating to Belgium and wider international relations, and on-the-job learning. The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop a learning plan for the duration of their internship, and supported to access relevant content and training.
Visa/Passport 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. Additional requirements may become necessary after 31st December 2020.
Professional Immersion Traineeship Requirements:
- Be a minimum of 18 years old;
- Proof of valid medical coverage for the period of the internship (European Health Insurance Card);
- The successful candidates will be subject to professional background checks and security clearance;
- Staff recruited locally by the British Diplomatic Missions in Belgium are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Belgian employment law.
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 Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
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;
– 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;
– Remote-working is currently the norm due to the current COVID context. Necessary IT equipment is provided. Staff are expected to work core hours although some flexibility is allowed to manage personal circumstances with time caught up elsewhere.
* 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. B2 Level, Vantage or upper intermediate: can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization; can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party and can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
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
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