Job title: International Relations Officer

Salary: PO2 £39,862 - £42,839

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Leeds city centre / hybrid

This is a rare opportunity to join Leeds City Council’s International Relations team and to help position Leeds on the global stage.

As the International Relations Officer you’ll thrive on developing partnerships and projects across the world and communicating the value of our international activity through a range of media. You will conduct research and produce high quality briefings for senior officers and elected members, as well as organising visits to the city for senior diplomats.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As the International Relations Officer, you will need:

At least 2 years of experience of working in an international environment or across national boundaries.
A Bachelor’s degree level in a relevant subject and fluency in at least one other Modern Foreign Language.
A strong understanding of the international policy context for local authorities and of the role of regional and national government, international networks and institutions, Embassies and Consulates as they relate to the council.
Experience of establishing and maintaining strong communication channels using a variety of media to promote a brand or activity.

About the role

This post is integral to our Destination Marketing and International Relations team, an outward-facing team which ensures the global positioning of Leeds as a place to invest, visit, study, live and work.

The role is instrumental in delivering the global pillar of the council’s Economic Vision. You will be helping to develop cross-sector local, regional, national and international collaboration to cement Leeds’ reputation as a global city where people and enterprise can thrive.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Karen Murgatroyd, International Relations Manager, email karen.murgatroyd@leeds.gov.uk

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To provide support for Leeds City Council’s international relations, covering all aspects of city diplomacy including city to city partnerships, involvement in international networks and promoting the city on the global stage. This involves working with council teams and external partners in support of the city’s Economic Vision, with a particular focus on global reach.

Responsibilities

Undertake research and provide analysis, advice and briefings to senior officers and elected members, summarising information from local, national and international sources.
Promote Leeds globally and ensure strong communications around the council’s international activity through various channels including social media, press, website and blog.
Provide leading support on the organisation and planning of international missions and visits and the hosting of foreign officials, senior diplomats or other international groups.
Organise high profile events and develop excellent relationships with key partners to ensure smooth delivery of these events.
Accompany elected members and senior officers on international visits of a civic nature, organising travel, logistics and itineraries and providing support, advice and briefings as required.
Provide support for the city’s membership of international networks, co-ordinating the city’s involvement in projects and meetings, providing Leeds input to policy papers, whilst ensuring strong communications across a local network of elected members, council officers and university contacts.
Support the development of new and existing global partnerships with cities, embassies and consulates, international networks, businesses and cultural organisations.
Coordinate projects of an international nature, ensuring that they are delivered on time and within budget.
Monitor the council’s engagement in international activity and maintain up to date records in support of KPIs.
Represent the council and international relations team at internal and external meetings and events.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

Educated to Bachelor’s degree level in a relevant field.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

At least two years professional experience of working in an international environment or across national boundaries.
Fluency in one or more modern foreign languages in addition to English, preferably French, German or Mandarin Chinese.
Demonstrate a strong understanding of the role of regional and national government, Embassies and Consulates, international networks and institutions as they relate to the work of the local authority.
Demonstrate a strong understanding of the international policy context for local government and a grasp of current political and global affairs.
Experience of establishing and maintaining strong communication channels and using a variety of media to promote a brand or activity.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to form positive relationships at all levels and to build strong and effective collaborative relationships with partner organisations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and act with diplomacy and tact.
Excellent organisational skills including attention to detail and a keen sense of timescales and milestones, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and organise your own workload.
Ability to respond calmly and independently to unexpected problems and situations, and to apply sound judgement and analytical skills to resolve problems or recommend solutions.
Ability to provide guidance and supervision to project support staff and contractors as appropriate.
Ability to use IT for presentations, meetings, events, communications and remote working confidently.

Essential behavioural and other characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Willingness to work flexibly according to the demands of the service, particularly to work evening and weekend hours and to undertake travel outside Leeds and the UK.

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Experience of working in a related field in local / regional / national government.
Experience of organising high profile events.
Experience of producing high quality reports / briefings / speeches.