Defence Section Office Team Leader (m/f/d), British Embassy Berlin

The British Embassy in Berlin is a large overseas mission in the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office) network. Over 100 colleagues from all walks of life work together to promote the UK and build our connections with Germany.

We are offering you the opportunity to be part of a friendly and supportive working environment with opportunities for personal growth.

Job Description

UK Defence Intelligence is recruiting for an exciting and demanding role that sits at the heart of the Defence Section (DS) in Berlin. The successful candidate will lead and run all aspects of the business that enable the Section's outputs; High-level Representation, Strategic Defence Engagement (access and influence), Defence Trade and Prosperity, and support to wider Embassy priorities. This multi-faceted and dynamic role offers a mix of complex resource and project management, international and domestic engagement, and leadership, including driving change and improvement. They will report to the Deputy Defence Attaché (DDA) and work closely with a range of military and civil service experts in Germany and the UK.

This is a full-time role of 40 hours per week.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Responsible for leading the Germany DS Office to directly enable its strategic outputs, including the efficient planning, organisation, and execution of all the DS support functions and activities.
• Lead and line manage for the DS Support Team (3 people), including maintaining oversight of and co-ordinating their outputs.
• Manage and plan a 6-figure Delegated Budget and Imprest Accounts.
• Lead and/or support on bespoke events as the Project Manager for high-level seminars, Ministerial visits, and other engagement activity to promote UK defence across Germany and deepen military co-operation.
• Develop strong networking and partnership relationships with decision makers and intermediaries across Germany and internally across government departments to achieve DS aims and objectives.
• Act as the central coordinator and manager of the DS's engagement network, including research and analysis of the impact of activities to identify areas for development, as well as create strategies and plans that deliver improved outputs and meet priorities through an agile, joined-up and synchronised approach.
• Identify and tackle barriers against military-to-military co-operation; investigating potential solutions, and assembling the teams and contacts needed to resolve them.
• Lead on internal and external communication for the Germany DS Office; manage the comms contract ensuring value for money, and connect activity to the wider overseas network, and defence-based activity and projects as a part of the wider MoD and Embassy Strategic Communications output.
• Responsible to the Defence Attaché (DA) for DS adherence to corporate governance and risk management.
• Any other duties that may reasonably be required in support of the wider work of the DI and the Embassy, including crisis work.

• Responsible for leading the Germany DS Office to directly enable its strategic outputs, including the efficient planning, organisation, and execution of all the DS support functions and activities.
• Lead and line manage for the DS Support Team (3 people), including maintaining oversight of and co-ordinating their outputs.
• Manage and plan a 6-figure Delegated Budget and Imprest Accounts.
• Lead and/or support on bespoke events as the Project Manager for high-level seminars, Ministerial visits, and other engagement activity to promote UK defence across Germany and deepen military co-operation.
• Develop strong networking and partnership relationships with decision makers and intermediaries across Germany and internally across government departments to achieve DS aims and objectives.
• Act as the central coordinator and manager of the DS's engagement network, including research and analysis of the impact of activities to identify areas for development, as well as create strategies and plans that deliver improved outputs and meet priorities through an agile, joined-up and synchronised approach.
• Identify and tackle barriers against military-to-military co-operation; investigating potential solutions, and assembling the teams and contacts needed to resolve them.
• Lead on internal and external communication for the Germany DS Office; manage the comms contract ensuring value for money, and connect activity to the wider overseas network, and defence-based activity and projects as a part of the wider MoD and Embassy Strategic Communications output.
• Responsible to the Defence Attaché (DA) for DS adherence to corporate governance and risk management.
• Any other duties that may reasonably be required in support of the wider work of the DI and the Embassy, including crisis work.

Nice to have:

• Financial and budgetary management acumen and experience; the ability to handle financial responsibilities efficiently and make cost-effective decisions on behalf of the DA and DDA.
• Familiarity and experience with UK Defence and military.
• Proven experience in delivering change.
• Knowledge and experience in analysing data and problem-solving.

• €65,640.00 gross per annum rising to approximately €73,733.00 gross per annum after a qualifying period in addition to performance related pay. (Salary is not negotiable).
• The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance. The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation in Germany in order to apply.
• Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local German employment law.
• Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Germany 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.
• Equal employment: We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics.
• Working for the Civil Service: The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
• Learning & Development: The British Embassy in Berlin has a strong ethos of Learning and Development, including our Learning and Development Week. In addition, there will be many opportunities to attend external seminars and events on relevant issues. This is in addition to the induction programme offered to all Embassy staff.
• The successful applicant will be encouraged to be actively involved in the corporate life of the Embassy, contributing to the wider objectives of the British Government's Germany network and supporting the Embassy's positive working environment.