Policy Officer, Strategy & Policy Team, UK Mission to the EU

Position description

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: UKMIS (UK Mission to the European Union)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The UK Mission to the European Union (UKMis) is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. UKMis aims to strengthen the relationship between the UK and EU and collaborate on key policy areas including foreign policy, economic relations and climate change.

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) 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.

Ready to help shape UK-EU policy from the inside? Coordinating legislative strategy, diplomatic engagement, and high-level reporting in a role that puts you at the center of European affairs?

The successful applicant 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 legislation and wider legislative tracking. This is a high profile, interesting and political area dealing with UK-EU relations.

This will involve: representing the UK’s position 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 EU legislative tracking from a whole UK perspective; reporting to Whitehall departments on developments in Brussels and working with them on preparations for meetings of the various bodies established under the Withdrawal Agreement and Windsor Framework; 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.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and timely advice to Cabinet Office and UKMis seniors on EU positions and approach to the relevant agreement with the UK (inc. Windsor Framework), as well as identifying opportunities and risks for UK objectives;
• Lead on legislative tracking, coordinating across UKMis and providing strategic advice on risks and priorities. Work across UKMis and Whitehall on regulatory diplomacy;
• Lead on specific aspects of Northern Ireland policy working to the First Secretary of the Withdrawal Agreement & Northern Ireland team, and the Political Counsellor. 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 the relevant policy areas, in particular with the Cabinet Office;
• 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

• Full professional proficiency in English, including excellent writing skills (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
• Extensive experience working on EU policy and a solid understanding of how the EU works and the legislative process;
• Strong policy skills;
• Experience of evidence-based prioritisation, decisions and judgment within a diverse and fast-paced work environment;
• 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, written communication and strong interpersonal skills.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• A keen interest in and understanding of the broader UK and EU political context, if possible an appreciation and understanding of the Northern Ireland political context.

Required behaviours: Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
Application deadline: 19 August 2025
Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position: Full-time, Temporary, Fixed Term
Working hours per week: 36.25
Duration of Post: 6 months
Region: Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Type of Post: UK Delegation
Number of vacancies: 1
Salary Currency: EUR
Salary: 7,091.46
Type of Salary: monthly
Start Date: 23 October 2025

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time contract for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week. This position will be filled on a “replacement contract” to cover a Maternity Leave. It is anticipated that the staff member will return in 23/04/2026. This is only a guide and any possible earlier return or extension to this date would be discussed with the successful candidate.

The monthly gross salary for this position is €7,091.46, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Application instructions

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