JOB DESCRIPTION

View Vacancy – Policy Attaché (BEL25.394)

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

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory

Political, Policy

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Who are we?

The British Embassy in Brussels is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. We are looking for Policy Attaché.

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.

Main purpose of job:

This varied and exciting position will play a key role in the Political Section at the British Embassy Brussels. You will engage and report on priority areas of interest to the UK such as economic and social issues, the rights of UK citizens under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, mobility and visas. You will also follow a small number of policy areas at the European Union level to enhance the Embassy’s understanding of Belgian policy positions. You will work flexibly in the political team to respond to the latest developments and events.

Across your priorities you will need to build networks, balance priorities and understand the political context for your work, all focused on the end result of producing high quality written work in English which helps policy makers to understand the Belgian system, and identify risks and opportunities.

You will make a tangible impact on strengthening cooperation between the UK and Belgium, including through organising visits, and your work will inform policy making in London. You will be able to drive some areas of work whilst keeping a watching brief on others. The focus of your efforts between different aspects of your brief will vary according to priorities at that time, to be agreed with your manager.

There is a strong Learning and Development culture in the British Embassy, and you will be supported to identify and develop your own learning plan to best suit your needs and the requirements of the role.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Monitor and report on the economic situation in Belgium: providing reporting on areas of interest in London and within the Embassy (including to support the Country-Based Staff Association in pay award negotiations).
• European Union policies: Develop an understanding of the European Union’s policies on key areas for the UK/Belgium bilateral relationship. Support the Political Section in understanding the interactions between EU policies and Belgian positions.
• Citizens rights: Build expertise of the rights of UK nationals living in Belgium under the UK-EU withdrawal agreement, leading the embassy’s engagement with London and the Belgian authorities;
• Visits and High Level Meetings: You’ll play a key role in supporting visits and engagements between Ministers and senior Government officials; helping shape and deliver programmes, site visits, announcements and associated communications to a global audience.
• UK Visas: Develop a good working knowledge of UK visas, and liaise with colleagues in UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to handle high profile cases.
• Participate in wider Mission’s initiatives as required, including engaging in a corporate role.

Don”t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Our Ideal Candidate shows:

• Full professional proficiency in English and French and/or Dutch (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
• Minimum Bachelors degree in Economics, or economic related field;
• At least 3 years of previous working experience with EU institutions;
• A strong team player with good people skills; strong ability to network and interact;
• Ability to prioritise, effectively manage and execute multiple and competing tasks within the agreed deadlines;
• Ability to monitor and analyse external developments;
• Full proficiency in MS Office applications.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Nice to have:

• Good understanding of economic, social and political environment in Belgium;
• Previous experience of working with UK or Belgium Government Departments;
• Previous experience of working on economics issues.

Required behaviours

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

Application deadline

14 December 2025

Grade

Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

Working hours per week

36.25

Region

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory

Belgium

Location (City)

Brussels

Type of Post

British Embassy

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

EUR

Salary

5,499.34

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

2 March 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full time, fixed-term 2 year contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week with the possibility of a permanent contract subject to performance and funding.

The monthly gross salary for this position is € 5,499.34 , Executive Officer (EO) 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.

The starting date will be agreed between the parties.

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.

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.