EU and Bilateral Engagement Officer (Belgium)

About the role

Scotland House Brussels, based in the EU district of Brussels, promotes Scottish interests with EU institutions, member states and other European organisations. It is looking for an EU and Bilateral Engagement Officer to support its relationships with EU institutions and Belgium at federal and regional level. Reporting to the EU Engagement and Bilateral Relations Lead, this is a varied, cross-cutting role focused on sustainability and agriculture policy, with the possibility of taking greater ownership of reporting and developing a policy specialism as experience grows.

Key responsibilities

• Support the EU Engagement and Bilateral Relations Lead and policy colleagues in engagement with EU and Belgian institutions and actors.
• Produce briefing, analysis and advice on EU and Belgian political and policy developments, including relationships with the UK, for Ministers and officials.
• Help deliver a programme of ministerial and official-level engagement with EU and Belgian interlocutors.
• Support relations with Belgium at federal and regional level, including the Memorandum of Understanding between Scotland and Flanders and work with Wallonia.
• Work with Scottish Enterprise/SDI colleagues on Scotland's trade and investment objectives with Belgium.
• Engage directly with Ministers, senior officials and external stakeholders, including the Scottish diaspora.
• Carry out other policy and corporate tasks as required, including developing a policy specialism.

Required profile

• Full professional proficiency in English (minimum C1).
• Experience monitoring and analysing political or policy developments and writing briefings for senior audiences.
• Knowledge of the EU institutional landscape and/or Belgium's federal and regional political structures.
• Experience building stakeholder relationships to deliver policy, diplomatic or public-sector objectives.
• Strong interest in European policy and in promoting Scotland's interests.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Scottish Government priorities and experience with senior stakeholders in a diplomatic setting.
• French, Dutch or other language skills.
• Experience on sustainability and/or agriculture policy in a European or Belgian context.

What we offer

• Fixed-term contract of 24 months with possible renewal, 36.25 net hours per week.
• Gross monthly salary of EUR 5,765.06 (Executive Officer level).
• 13th month, luncheon vouchers, pension scheme, optional hospitalisation insurance, public transport reimbursement and more days of annual leave than Belgian requirements.
• Time off in lieu for occasional travel or early-evening work.