EU Policy Officer (BEL24.423)

Welsh Government

Brussels, Belgium

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. The FCDO operates an agile workforce and to facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time, as we may reasonably require.

Job Category: Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Job Subcategory: The Welsh Government

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Who are we?

Welsh Government Brussels Office:

The Brussels Office is responsible for leading and coordinating the interests of Welsh Government to Member States of the European Union, international networks and the European Institutions. It plays the lead role in Welsh Government’s work in Brussels related to the TCA, co-ordinates Wales’ partnerships and networks with other nations and regions, and supports trade and investment. It assists in providing support to Welsh Ministers and senior officials travelling to Brussels to participate in events and other programmes of engagement. It monitors European policy developments and actively engages with representatives from the EU institutions, UK counterparts and stakeholders in priority policy areas.

The Office undertakes a number of events to promote Wales’ interests and reputation. These focus on sharing Welsh expertise, good practice and innovation, on learning from partners to improve policy-making and governance in Wales, and on showcasing and sharing our excellent Welsh culture, food and drink with friends and partners.

The Welsh Government Brussels Office sits within Wales House Brussels, which also includes a team representing Welsh Higher Education, and an office for the Welsh Parliament/Senedd Cymru.

We are now looking for EU Policy Officer to join our team.

Main purpose of job:

The post-holder will be part of the Office’s EU policy team, representing Wales’ interests in our interactions with EU institutions and European stakeholders and supporting delivery of the WG International Strategy.

With the reset of EU-UK relations and the upcoming review of the Trade & Co-operation Agreement (TCA) the role will need to be flexible and responsive to the political context.

The Office has a significant public-facing role in the development of policy focussed events to raise the profile of Wales in Brussels with key partners.

The post-holder will work as part of a small team in the Welsh Government’s office in Brussels. They will spend a certain amount of time out of the office at, for example: meetings organised by EU regional networks, think tanks, NGOs or business organisations; public meetings of the European Institutions and at meetings with other stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Effectively present and proactively promote Welsh best practice, priorities and policy developments to a Brussels audience and where appropriate further afield;
Promote the Welsh Government’s interests through developing and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders including: the EU institutions, the UK Mission to the EU, the offices of the other Devolved Administrations, relevant networks and organisations;
Analyse the implications of EU related proposals/initiatives for Wales and contribute to the development of Welsh Government policy accordingly in a range of areas including, social inclusion, health, equality, skills, culture, sport, digital, Transport and Welsh language;
Support the wider policy team in covering developments related to the review and implementation TCA;
Lead and support arrangements for visits by Ministers and officials, including briefing and accompanying visitors as required;
Input to development and delivery of a Policy Events Programme;
Where required, deputise and provide support in policy areas led by the Head of Economic, Social and Regional Policy;
With the reset of the EU-UK relationship the tasks outlined above are likely to evolve; this is an indicative list;
The jobholder is expected to be flexible, undertaking other appropriate tasks as necessary; and to work with others on the above.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Our Ideal Candidate shows:

Full professional proficiency in English (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
University Degree in relevant field;
Minimum of 3 years of professional experience of working in European policy environment with an excellent understanding of the EU institutions and processes;
A keen interest in EU/European policy demonstrated in an international working environment;
A good knowledge of Welsh affairs and interest in promoting Wales’ reputation internationally;
Experience of using social media for communications in a professional context;
Strong interpersonal and team working skills;
Relevant academic/work/voluntary experience;
Proven research, writing and strong IT skills, including use of Microsoft Office and virtual meeting platforms;
Some experience in organizing and supporting policy-focused events.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Nice to have:

Some knowledge of Welsh language.

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together.

Application deadline: 2 December 2024
Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position: Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week: 36.25
Type of Post: British Embassy
Number of vacancies: 1
Salary Currency: EUR
Salary: € 6,931.62
Type of Salary: monthly
Start Date: 17 February 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time permanent contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week.

The monthly gross salary for this position is €6,931.62 at HEO level. In addition, we offer an extensive salary package, which includes a 13^th 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.

Additional information

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 for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment levels please click on the following link CEFR.

Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.

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