Job Description
Congressional Advisor, Defence
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.
Job Category
Main purpose of job:
The Congressional Officer, Defence will serve the British Defence Staff - United States (BDSUS), within the British Embassy, on Congressional issues. The role works within a small team that advises the British Embassy’s Senior Leadership Team, primarily the Defence Attaché and Minister (Counsellor Defense), on Defence related Congressional issues in order to enable UK officials, both in the U.S. and London, to make informed decisions that help advance UK policy priorities.
Reporting to the Senior Congressional Advisor Officer, Defence, you will assist in developing a legislative strategy to protect and advance UK equities in major US legislation, including the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) and defence appropriations. You will assist in coordinating meetings and visits between senior UK Defence officials and Congressional contacts. You will also track key developments in Congress, including hearings and significant legislation. You will work flexibly with Embassy colleagues to arrange meetings, organise visit programmes, develop briefings, and keep records. You will understand goals and objectives and plan events and meetings that work towards these objectives. Your role will also provide administrative support and database management for Congressional engagement.
This role would suit a highly motivated individual who enjoys being busy, has excellent organisation skills, and who is flexible and willing to take on new opportunities as they arise. The successful candidate will have an interest in US politics, specifically in defence and congressional affairs, and have an established network of Congressional contacts. The post holder will have a good understanding of the US legislative process and should be comfortable distilling complex ideas into simple concepts. The post holder may be expected as part of their duties to use an embassy vehicle in order to assist in the running of a senior visitor programme to visit locations in the DC area.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Provide support for high level visits by Defence Ministers and senior officials coming to Washington DC to engage with a multitude of counterparts, particularly Members of Congress and/or their staff. This will include owning visit logistics for certain incoming visitors, preparing and collating briefing information, setting up meetings for visitors, and ensuring the agreed programme runs smoothly. Organise social engagements for visitors and their Congressional contacts as required.
- Track and report on key Congressional hearings on defence, including those in the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Track and report on key pieces of legislation in Congress, including the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and federal appropriations. Work with Senior Congressional Affairs Officer for Defence on identifying key areas of interest in Congress and opportunities to educate members on the importance of the UK-US defence relationship.
- Responsible for scheduling, managing, and controlling the database of information on the Hill engagement for His Majesty’s Ambassador/ The British Defence Attaché/ Minister for Defence Material/ Deputy Head of Mission and others as required.
- Establish and maintain a list of congressional contacts, under the guidance of the Senior Congressional Officer for Defence, in order to support arranging meetings.
- Focal point for control and management of diaries and logistics for external meetings for the team. Ensuring that there are no date or time conflicts. Where required provide management direction on resolution of conflict issues. Authorise logistic expenditure in support of external meetings within authorised limits.
- Creative event planning and management, identifying and pursing engagement opportunities, leveraging available budgets and working with teams to deliver Hill engagement goals, in accordance with financial guidelines.
- When required, represent the congressional team at external meetings, take minutes and write records of the meeting.
- Liaise with think tank and media strategy holders to assist with identifying and executing engagement opportunities in order to enhance the objectives of the FCDO/MOD mission and objectives.
- Deputise for the BDS Senior Congressional Officer for Defence.
- Flexibility to take on other work as priorities require. Including support to His Majesty’s Ambassador and Deputy Ambassador on broader UK Government issues, and in support of visiting UK Government Ministers.
- Advocacy for UK interests with US contacts in Congress and more widely.
- Any other duties as assigned.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
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- Requires significant relevant work experience in or with the United States Congress. Related work with defence issues in Congress a strong plus.
- Ability to think strategically & creatively about advancing key ideas/concepts in legislation.
- A good network of Congressional contacts.
- Excellent administrative and organisational skills, with proven management experience with an ability to plan and prioritise tasks, ensuring team goals are achieved.
- High degree of knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications, especially Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Proven skills in delivering results under pressure, excellent organisational ability and a proactive results-driven approach to problem solving.
- Must be willing to go through UK Security Clearance. Initial offer and continued employment are dependant on gaining and maintaining security clearance.
- Must hold a valid driver’s licence for the USA.
- Must hold a US or UK passport
- Ability to travel
Language requirements:
Language: English
Level of language required: Fluent
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
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- Interest in UK and EU politics and policy.
- Understanding of the US Defence policy.
Required behaviours
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Seeing the Big Picture, Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
Application deadline
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20 December 2023
Grade
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Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position
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Full-time, Permanent
Working hours per week
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40
Region
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Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Country/Territory
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United States
Location (City)
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Washington
Type of Post
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British Embassy
Number of vacancies
1
1
Salary Currency
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USD
Salary
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$81,100 yearly
Start Date
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5 February 2023
Other benefits and conditions of employment
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Please note: Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents, or A, NATO, and L2 visa holders with EAD cards.
* The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) may sponsor a G visa in exceptional circumstances.
* L2 visa holders are required to independently secure a valid EAD card after receiving an offer of employment and before starting employment.
You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).
The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.
Additional information
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The job provides scope to broaden knowledge and experience through getting involved in the breadth of UK/US defence engagement.
Successful candidate may be expected to conduct one week familiarisation visit to the UK in the first year.
Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6-12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.
Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.