Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland Policy Officer (BEL23.659)

Job Description

Job title: Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland Policy Officer (BEL23.659)

Company: HM Government

Job description: 1

Why you should join us:

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 UK Mission to the European Union (UKMis) is part of a world-wide network of nearly 270 Diplomatic Posts, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. The UKMis aims to ensure the UK’s interests are promoted and explained to EU member states, and the EU institutions, as well as monitoring and reporting on key developments in the EU. UKMis Brussels is one of the UK’s busiest diplomatic posts, with a varied team working on a wide range of issues across UK government business.

We are looking for a Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland Policy Officer who will join the cross-cutting EU-UK Strategy & Policy Team, working specifically on Withdrawal Agreement and Northern Ireland issues, with a particular focus on the Windsor Framework. This is a high profile, interesting and political area dealing with UK-EU relations.

This will involve: representing the UK’s position in respect of Northern Ireland and the wider Withdrawal Agreement to EU institutions and other stakeholders; coordinating UKMis input to the work of governance structures of the Withdrawal Agreement and its sub groups; leading on legislation and policy which have an impact on Northern Ireland; reporting to Whitehall departments on developments in Brussels and working with them on preparations for meetings of the Joint Consultative Working Group and other bodies established under the Withdrawal Agreement; and supporting Ministers, Ambassadors and senior officials in relevant engagements.

The successful applicant will also be expected to grasp technical details of complex policy and the political implications of issues, in order to brief seniors and engage with external stakeholders.

The role entails:

• Provide strategic and timely advice to Cabinet Office and UKMis seniors on EU positions and approach to the Windsor Framework and wider Withdrawal Agreement, as well as identifying opportunities and risks for UK objectives.
• Lead on specific aspects of Northern Ireland policy working to the First Secretary of the Withdrawal Agreement & Northern Ireland team, and the Counsellor for EU-UK Strategy & Policy. Particularly coordinating UKMis input to the work of the Joint Consultative Working Group and the various policy and legislative files under consideration.
• Support work on the UK’s approach to the other Withdrawal Agreement and separation issues under the Withdrawal Agreement.
• Establish strong working relationships with colleagues in Whitehall across departments to understand UK priorities and objectives in this policy area, in particular with the Windsor Framework Taskforce in the Cabinet Office and Windsor Framework Department in FCDO.
• Support colleagues in London and UKMIS seniors on engagement with the Commission to ensure meetings run smoothly, as well as providing operational support to any Ministerial visits to Brussels.
• Provide and draft briefings for senior colleagues in preparation for meetings, engagement, public diplomacy etc. providing readouts and analysis after the event which can be shared across UKMis and Whitehall.
• Build a strong network of contacts across the EU institutions, Member States and other Brussels-based stakeholders to be informed and track the development of EU policy, in order to inform and deliver UK priorities.
• Work flexibly and contribute to the wider policy and corporate work of the team and Mission as a whole.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1

The ideal candidate has:

• Full professional proficiency in English, including excellent writing skills (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*).
• Experience working on EU policy and a solid understanding of how the EU works and the legislative process.
• Experience of evidence-based prioritisation, decisions and judgment within a diverse and fast-paced work environment.
• An influential communicator with the ability to grasp complex information and translate it into clear and concise language for busy readers.
• Ability to work as part of a team, and, at the same time, be a self-starter, able to work autonomously and with experts in London and Brussels.
• An ability to make effective decisions, often under competing pressures.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 1

Good to have:

• Strong policy skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• A keen interest in and understanding of the broader UK and EU political context, in particular an appreciation and understanding of the Northern Ireland political context.

Required behaviours 1

Seeing the Big Picture, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

Application deadline 1

10 January 2023

Grade 1

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)

Type of Position 1

Full-time, Permanent

Working hours per week 1

36.25

Region 1

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory 1

Belgium

Location (City) 1

UK Mission to the European Union (UKMIS), Brussels

Type of Post 1

UK Delegation

Number of vacancies 1

1

Salary Currency 1

EUR

Salary 1

6,795.71

Start Date 1

4 March 2024

Other benefits and conditions of employment 1

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 € 6,795.71 , HEO 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.

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.

Learning and development opportunities:
The UKMis Learning & Development (L&D) Committee coordinates an extensive L&D programme for all staff. Its members maintain a regular drumbeat of knowledge-building activity through an annual core curriculum, and lead on organising optional in-house French and Dutch classes. Our current UKMis L&D priorities are: Impactful Diplomacy and Professional Skills, and Building our Expertise on the EU and UK-EU relations.
UKMis has a strong L&D culture and is committed to creating opportunities to stretch or develop particular skills for individuals, including language learning, attending conferences for professional development, and training for upskilling. Our internal L&D Committee and team leaders have an annual budget to which all colleagues can bid for funding to support their L&D activity.
Working patterns:
This post is a full time position UKMis but promotes flexible working opportunities. Most staff can work from home one day per week, subject to agreement with the line manager. UKMis operates usual office working hours though some occasional working outside these hours may be necessary to attend events or to support colleagues visiting from the UK. Any time worked outside normal hours can be compensated with a Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) system.

Additional information 1

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 . 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.

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.

Expected salary: €6795.71 per month

Location: Northern Ireland

Job date: Fri, 22 Dec 2023 03:18:28 GMT

Apply for the job now!