Communications and Political Officer

Salary: €5,765.06 gross per month (EO grade), plus 13th month and benefits

Location: British Embassy, Brussels

Job type: Full-time, fixed term (2 years) with possibility of renewal

Closing date: 20 October 2026, 23:55

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.

Who are we?

The British Embassy in Brussels is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, security, economic and consular interests overseas. We are looking for a Communications and Political Officer to join our Political and Public Diplomacy Team. The successful candidate will provide sound media and political analysis and advice to the Embassy and help manage our UKinBelgium social media channels.

The Political and Public Diplomacy Team sits at the heart of the British Embassy’s work in Belgium. It provides political reporting, analysis, advice and external communications in support of a broad range of UK interests in Belgium, including economic, security, climate change and foreign policy priorities.

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 the Role

This is one of two Communications and Political Officer positions in the Embassy. The role is line managed by the Head of Strategic Communications and supports the Head of Politics with political networking, reporting and analysis. The balance between political and communications work will adapt according to Embassy priorities.

This is a challenging, varied and fast-moving role that requires a significant degree of independent working, effective prioritisation and flexibility. You will help manage the UKinBelgium social media accounts, monitor Belgian media and report on ongoing political developments.

You will engage confidently and professionally with a broad range of contacts, including representatives of the media and the Belgian and UK Governments. You will also support the Ambassador and other colleagues at external meetings.

If you understand Belgium’s political and media landscape and enjoy turning insight into clear, impactful communications, this role offers the opportunity to put those skills into practice at the heart of the British Embassy.

Roles and Responsibilities

Political analysis, reporting and networking

• Build and maintain a strong network of political, media and other relevant contacts;
• Contribute to the Embassy’s analysis and reporting on Belgian political developments, key decision-makers and influential groups;
• Proactively identify and engage relevant stakeholders, including political parties, ministerial cabinets, study centres, youth movements, academia, commentators and media contacts, with particular attention to Dutch-speaking Belgium;
• Produce regular meeting readouts, research and reports that support the Embassy’s understanding of the Belgian political landscape and delivery of priority objectives.

Belgian media monitoring and analysis

• Monitor and analyse French and Dutch-language Belgian media;
• Produce concise and timely media summaries aligned with Embassy priorities;
• Identify relevant trends, risks and opportunities for senior Embassy colleagues and UK headquarters.

Digital communications and content delivery

• Communicate the work and priorities of the Embassy and UK Government through the Embassy’s social media channels and GOV.UK pages on a shift basis;
• Contribute to communications planning, campaign development and proactive content opportunities;
• Ensure communications are accurate, timely, accessible and tailored to the right audiences.

Campaigns, public diplomacy and stakeholder engagement

• Develop effective communications activity in partnership with policy leads and external stakeholders;
• Identify campaign opportunities and ensure communications outputs support Embassy priorities and objectives;
• Help organise media and communications activity around public diplomacy events and high-level visits to promote UK interests in Belgium.

Media engagement and visit support

• Liaise confidently with journalists, media organisations and other internal and external contacts;
• Build and maintain relevant journalist networks;
• Support media engagement opportunities, briefings and visits in priority policy areas.

Team working and administration

• Work closely with the Head of Strategic Communications, Head of Politics and the wider team to help the Embassy and UK headquarters engage with and understand Belgium;
• Understand colleagues’ objectives, communicate effectively and work flexibly across team priorities;
• Oversee the public enquiries mailbox;
• Support relevant administrative work, including database management;
• Participate in wider Mission initiatives as required, including taking on a corporate role.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• English (written and spoken) at minimum C2 level according to the CEFR framework*;
• Either French or Dutch (written and spoken) at minimum C2 level, with the other national language at minimum C1 level according to the CEFR framework*;
• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Communications, Journalism, Politics or International Relations, or equivalent relevant professional experience;
• Relevant professional experience working across both political and communications portfolios in the Belgian context, with strong knowledge of the local political and media landscape (including federal and regional competences);
• Experience of drafting and reporting, with strong research and analytical skills;
• Experience of organising media engagement around key moments and events;
• Experience of creating content for organisational social media channels, including Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook, and using performance insights to evaluate content effectiveness;
• Experience of building and maintaining effective stakeholder relationships, including managing challenging or sensitive interactions;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver at pace;
• Strong team-working skills, with the ability to work effectively and flexibly within both a small and wider team.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Experience of media monitoring and analysis tools;
• Experience of working in a diplomatic mission, government or media organisation.

Required behaviours

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

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term contract for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of renewal. The position is based on five working days and 36.25 net hours per week.

The monthly gross salary for this position is €5,765.06 at 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 advertised starting date is indicative only. The final start date will be agreed between the successful candidate and the British Embassy.

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: The role follows a Monday-to-Friday working pattern, based on 36.25 net hours per week. The successful candidate will participate in an agreed rota, which may include early starts from 08:00 to support Belgian media monitoring. Occasional flexibility may be required to support events or visits, with any changes to the normal working pattern agreed in advance with the line manager.

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.

Required behaviours

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