Digital and Tech Attaché

Position description

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.

Job Category: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Job Subcategory: Economic and Prosperity

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Who are we?

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) pursues British national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. The UK Mission to the European Union (UKMIS) is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas, and it’s now recruiting a Digital and Tech Attaché. The UKMIS purpose in particular is to promote the UK and its values with European partners, institutions and other stakeholders in Brussels and across the EU. We also aim to develop a new, positive relationship for the UK with the EU covering trade, technology, climate change, health, economic growth, foreign policy, security and defence.

The main purpose of this job is to build the relationship between the UK and EU institutions across all digital and technology fields. There are a large number of digital and technology policies being developed both in the UK and in the EU (and globally), especially in emerging technologies like AI, and the job holder will be instrumental in finding ways of cooperation, engaging on specific regulatory or multilateral outcomes as necessary, developing a mutual understanding through a wide network of Brussels-based stakeholders, and intelligence gathering, analysing and reporting to Whitehall on local developments.

Main purpose of job:

It is an exciting time to join UKMis in a rapidly changing environment. The wider team focuses on the economic relationship with the EU, which remains the UK’s largest trading partner, especially in key sectors such as digital and technology.

The successful job holder will work closely with departments in the UK such as our FCDO HQ in London, DSIT (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) ), DBT (Department for Business and Trade), Innovate UK and other departments with an interest in the dynamic arena of international digital and tech collaboration.

As a third country mission we are developing new ways of delivering on our agenda, using all communication channels, with a focus on: ‘Explain’ (conveying UK digital and tech priorities and approaches), ‘Understand’ (monitoring evolving EU activity) and ‘engage’ (articulate the UK position, and drive enhanced cooperation on shared priorities). In this role you will have a responsibility for developing and maintaining relationships here in Brussels to be effective in your role. The aim is to be seen, heard, and understood – having a voice that is trusted and respected with stakeholders.

You’ll be working in a small sub-team within the wider Economic Affairs team reporting to the Head of Section, focussed on digital, data and tech policies. While we work as a team, you will have a lot of autonomy to pursue the best way to engage the wider ‘Brussels Bubble’, including stakeholders in EU institutions on your policy priorities.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Developing a thorough understanding of both UK and EU policy and regulatory positions with the aims of identifying and leveraging opportunities to drive the agenda and UK priorities in areas of digital and technology;
• Building and maintaining a wide (quality) network of Brussels-based contacts to anticipate and plan for opportunities/risks to UK interests in digital and tech fields related to competition and innovation, safety and security, and democratic values;
• Gathering and analysing relevant digital and technology information and intelligence, reporting regularly to Whitehall, and driving UK policy formulation in close collaboration with FCDO HQ, DSIT, DBT, Cabinet Office and No10 (the Prime Minister’s Office);
• Planning and developing communication and other campaign activity, including on social media, to leverage UK expertise and innovation and position the UK as an essential partner to businesses and a key international ally in Brussels;
• Supporting high profile events and official visits from the UK with project planning, task management, and connecting officials with stakeholders in Brussels;
• Participate in wider Mission’s initiatives as required, including engaging in a corporate role.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Our Ideal Candidate shows:

• Working level (at least C1) English language proficiency both written and oral;
• At least 1 year operating in Brussels or in tech policy;
• Strong communication and analytical skills;
• A keen interest in digital and tech policy, in particular AI;
• Understanding of the EU institutions and legislative process;
• Strong teamwork skills and an intellectual curiosity.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Nice to have:

• Experience working in or with EU or public institutions;
• A thorough understanding of the EU legislative process;
• A thorough understanding of the UK legislative process;
• A digital and/or tech background;
• AI policy or technology/market knowledge.

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together.

Application deadline: 18 February 2026
Grade: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Type of Position: Part-Time, Temporary
Working hours per week: 36.28
Region: Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Type of Post: British Embassy
Number of vacancies: 1
Salary Currency: EUR
Salary: €6382.31
Type of Salary: monthly
Start Date: 20 April 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a temporary, part-time contract for 5 working days (32.38 hours net) per week. The monthly gross salary for this position is €6382.31, HEO level.

This position will be filled on a “replacement contract” to cover a Paternity Leave (April 2026 – January 2027). It is anticipated that the staff member will return in January 2027. This is only a guide and any possible earlier return or extension to this date would be discussed with the successful candidate.

In addition, we offer an extensive salary package, which includes 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 starting date will be agreed between the parties.

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: Our core office hours (when most staff are expected to be working) are between 10am and 4pm. You will normally start between 8am and 10am and finish between 4pm and 6.30pm, but have the flexibility to choose your start and finish time and break(s) depending on business needs. You may occasionally need to attend events outside these hours.

As the current occupier works 90% of standard contracting hours, due to Belgian labour laws this role must be advertised for 90% hours as well. In reality this will look like a morning/afternoon off per week.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on nearmejobs.eu