Assistant to The Defence Attache

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

The British Embassy in Vienna is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic, commercial and consular interests overseas. We are currently looking for a Assistant to the Defence Attaché.
Operating within the British Embassy Vienna, the Assistant to the Defence Attaché (ADA) working directly to and in support of the resident Defence Attaché:
supports the DA in monitoring and analysing emerging Austrian defence policy, both in Brussels (as an EU member or as a NATO Partner) and in Austria. This analysis is then reported to MOD and FCDO in order to assist influence over both the development and implementation of Austrian policies on security and defence matters of key concern to the UK, in particular within the framework of NATO and the EU;
assists in the delivery of Defence Engagement within Austria;
assists with the delivery of Austrian support to UK Defence activity;
is responsible for the overall administrative management of the Defence Section.
External contact is a major component of the position requiring a high level of interaction at a senior level demanding clear and concise communication skills linked to an ability to understand and deliver against MOD/FCDO regional Defence/Security objectives. The post requires the ADA to be able to work autonomously set against broad but well defined boundaries and be comfortable with acting on personal initiative and analysis, where decision making is routine. This includes the compilation of briefing material and draft submissions for MOD desk officers (Colonel and above) and visiting senior delegations. The job also involves the handling of sensitive information; this requires a high level of discretion and diplomacy.

**Main roles and responsibilities**:
**Analysis**: Using own and Embassy/DA network, ensure MOD/FCDO are completely current on developments in Austrian Defence and what the implications may be for UK. This demands reading reports in German/English, talking to others and offering considered opinion, as guided by colleagues and the DA.

**Administrative Management**: Ensure general and financial management practices are exemplary and comply with MOD policies and procedures to attain an ‘excellent’ assessment from the annual MOD DALS in-country inspection.

**Problem Solving**: Anticipate and negotiate solutions for potential problems that could impact the DA and the scope of internal and external responsibilities/activities

**Planning and Organising**: Use judgment and independence to make changes to schedules for the DA to prevent conflicts in scheduling. Track and monitor pending issues for follow-up and independently develop agenda for future meetings. Organise and assimilate documents for scheduled meetings or presentations. Produce, in consultation with the DA, a forward visit schedule for the next financial year, including all regional travel requirements, by 1 May each year

**Support to UK Defence activities in Austria**: The ADA will lead on assisting the execution of all UK Defence activities in, across or over Austria, whether operational or training, ranging from convoys requiring host nation support to 5000 pax conducting winter sports.

**International Defence Trg (IDT)**:
The ADA has delegated responsibility for the overall promotion & management of UK IDT within Austria.
The ADA is to act as the focal point for all UK IDT in Austria and actively engage with the senior training officers within the Austrian MOD and UK single Service IDT Directorates to deliver growth in Austrian military personnel trained by the UK military and civilian defence institutions.

**Defence Engagement**: Recognise and develop opportunities for gainful, cost effective bilateral activity in support of the UK regional Defence/Security objectives. To allow the Defence Section to deliver against this, the ADA is to: In consultation with the DA develop and maintain an engagement database of opportunities for communication and building relationships with both internal and external agencies for each financial year that is to be refreshed annually and incorporated within the overall Defence Section Engagement Plan by 1 Apr for the subsequent period. Construct and maintain a forward plan of social engagements for the DA with targeted areas of interest set against the DRE allocation; this is to be provisionally agreed with the DA on a 4 month rotational basis. Maintain an appropriate file structure in the Defence shared area on the FCDO IT system. Monitor Austrian media links, Assist FCDO colleagues with the writing and translation of articles for the Austrian/British Embassy web page (and the upkeep of social media) related to defence and facilitate media presence at the Defence Section events. Plan and coordinate the Remembrance Sunday service and conduct the poppy appeal in the Austria. Draft the monthly country report for UK MOD on behalf DA

Essential qualifications, skills and exper