University-Level Operative / Diplomatic Fields at The Embassy of Belgium

Position: University-level operative / diplomatic fields

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Hiring Agency: Embassy of Belgium in Abuja
Grade: GS6/0
Work Schedule: Full-time – 38.5 hours per week

Duration: 1 year contract
Closing date for applications: 07-05-2023 at 23:59 UTC/GMT

Summary of position

• Under the direct supervision of the Ambassador of Belgium, the University-level operative will be part of the Political & Economic section of the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja. As a versatile employee, the work of the operative touches on multiple facets of the diplomatic field. They will manage files, knowledge and become specialists in topics that are key for the Embassy. They analyse and interpret certain questions relating to the national and international political situation, the socio-economic situation and the development of the receiving State, and study the perception of Belgium.

Essential qualifications

Education:

• A minimum of a Master’s degree from a recognized university in a relevant field such as Political Sciences, International Relations, Economy, Law, History, Sociology or other related disciplines.

Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of recent experience working as part of a corporate organization, non-governmental organization, foreign mission, government office or international organization.
• Minimum 3 years of recent experience working on relevant topics for the role such as politics, press & media, security, economy, culture.

Main tasks

Examples of tasks as an “expert specialist”:

• Draw up reports or notes on specific questions for the head of post or for the Department.
• Draw adequate conclusions from the analyses and suggest alternatives, bring in innovative ideas.
• Express an initial opinion and/or make proposals for specific questions at the request of the head of post or the Department.
• Participate in conferences and seminars addressing issues within his field(s) of competence.
• Develop a network of people who could potentially provide all the information required.
• Assist the head of post or other diplomatic staff in demarches concerning the entrusted files.

Examples of tasks as a "knowledge manager":

• Search for or gather and archive in an accessible manner the relevant information found: in the media; via formal or informal, internal and external contact points; on the website (intranet and internet) or in regulations/reports/the Department's various notes, on other websites; in national and international reports, in the work of international organisations, in discussion forums, etc.
• If necessary, translate documents/information and/or write summaries in order to make them quickly accessible to the post’s and the Department's staff members.
• Gather various key elements in a coherent whole, analyse them and establish relevant links between source information and various content.
• Provide colleagues and the head of post with the results of the analyses.
• Note/summarize/archive the cases/situations experienced by the post as well as all relevant information with regard to local law and its application in order to contribute to maintaining the post’s memory.
• Keep country sheets, consular instructions, information about local law, lists of useful contacts and/or all other useful databases up-to-date.

Examples of tasks as a "file manager":

• Follow the current events in the receiving State with regard to the treated files, in particular by consulting the relevant publications and by taking part in meetings, briefings, conferences, receptions…
• Write summaries or reports and make analyses for inclusion in the files.
• Use the information from different sources in order to obtain coherent conclusions and propose potential decisions or actions taking into account the various options.
• Organize/contribute to the organization of internal and/or external meetings in order to inform the participants on the state of the files being handled and advance them towards optimal solutions in accordance with the other actions carried out by the post, the Department and/or the potential partners.
• Coordinate and follow up possible financial contributions by Belgium to funds, projects or programmes in the framework of these files.
• Contact the Department and/or the competent authorities in the receiving State for informal or formal consultation about the treated files.
• Regularly provide factual information of the Department by means of reports submitted for signature to the head of post.
• Contribute to the writing and regular updating of the post’s periodical reports for the parts that are relevant to these files and within its areas of competence.

 

General behavioural skills

• Be able to work in a team: Contribute to a good team spirit and a good atmosphere at work by sharing ideas and useful information, listening to the opinions of others, participating in the service's activities, being prepared to help spontaneously or on request and combining strengths, avoiding and resolving disputes.
• Be service-oriented (internal and external users): Give priority to the needs of users (internal and external) and offer a fast, proactive, personalised, effective service (with the required transparency and integrity) and establish constructive contacts.
• Show respect: Show others respect and be open to their ideas, their opinions and their differences, whether cultural or other. Accept procedures and instructions in accordance with oneself and others.
• Be reliable/trustworthy/loyal: Act honestly, in accordance with the job's requirements, respect ethical principles, including confidentiality and integrity respect your commitments and avoid any form of partiality.
• Be able to adapt/Be flexible: Adopt a flexible attitude, adapt to changes in various situations. Be flexible in terms of the roles and tasks allocated, working hours and, if necessary, the place of work.
• Be capable of developing yourself: Constantly attempt to progress in your job and, if necessary, take initiatives to develop new skills according to available resources.
• Invest in order to achieve your goals: Be involved, do your utmost and show your wish to achieve your goals and the goals of the service and/or the post. Take responsibility for the quality of the actions undertaken.
• Attention to details: Ability to accomplish/complete a task while demonstrating a through concern for all the areas involved, no matter how small. This means monitoring and checking work or information, while organizing time and resources efficiently.

Knowledge and technical skills

Languages:

• Fluency in English (reading, writing, comprehension and speaking)
• Knowledge of one of Belgium’s official languages is an asset

Regulations and internal/external contexts:

• Knowledge of local legislation
• Knowledge of local political events
• Knowledge of local economy
• Knowledge of local security situation

ICT tools:

• Advanced knowledge of MS Office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook);
• Advanced knowledge of windows operating system
• Advanced use of search engines

Writing skills:

• Ability to write clear and concise e-mails, letters, minutes of meetings or advisory notes.
• Effective interactive communication

Oral skills

• Being comfortable with addressing an audience
• Ability to make a presentation
• Ability to conduct a meeting
• Ability to defend a position
• Effective interactive communication

Additional qualifications considered as an asset

• Basic level in other European languages
• Experience working or studying in a foreign country
• Experience working for a foreign mission
• Experience working within an international or multi-cultural context.

Recruitment

Conditions of Employment:

• You must be legally able to work at the Embassy of Belgium in Nigeria.
• Before an offer of employment can be made, candidates must provide a local Nigerian address as proof of residence so that if selected, it will appear on the offer letter.
• Proof of educational qualifications will be required at the interview stage of the process.