Commercial Department Intern

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 – Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)

Job Subcategory – Commercial Diplomacy

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities):

The British Embassy in Sofia is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. The Defence Section is responsible for identifying opportunities to defend and protect UK interests, influence bilateral and allied relationships, promote UK prosperity and build international security capabilities within Bulgaria and Black Sea region.

The Commercial Section at the British Embassy in Sofia is looking to recruit an intern to support commercial officers in delivering services to UK companies in Bulgaria in accordance with the annual business plan. 

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Respond to volume inquiries, managing the relevant mail correspondence and engagement with BG/UK counterparts as necessary (20%)
  • Gather information and prepares written reports on key sectors of interest; monitors upcoming tender procedures and report writing (30%)
  • Supports Department for Business and Trade team members in organising events including preparing invitations, following-up, building lists and other activities (30%)
  • Work on ad-hoc work requests from across the team and deliver them in a timely manner (20%)

The successful candidate will have the chance to learn about the workings of a busy Commercial Section within Bulgaria and to help with delivering the embassy objectives. You will be required to work in close partnership with the team, to build and maintain relationships with key external and internal stakeholders, local authorities and FCDO colleagues across the region.  The candidate should be positive, proactive and a strong team player.

Core skills training will be provided at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. All staff have a personal development plan and have access to world class learning and development opportunities.

The work pattern will be arranged flexibly, if possible as full-time internship position (36 working hours) or part-time, min. 20 working hours/ per week. 

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 

  • Excellent command of spoken and written English and Bulgarian (C1 level);
  • Availability to complete an internship of 36 hours a week, with flexible schedule from 9 -5pm, with flexibility for part-time arrangements with min 20 hour/week
  • Enthusiastic, energetic and highly creative team player with a proven passion for public communications
  • self-starter who is able to work professionally with MS Office tools 

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 

  • Good communication and organisational skills
  • Basic administrative skills – Use of Windows Office and web search
  • Experience in working in office environment

Required behaviours 

Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together

Application deadline – 5 November 2023

Grade – Internship

Type of Position – Full-time, Intern

Working hours per week – 36h/ week

Region – Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory – Bulgaria

Location (City) – Sofia

Type of Post – British Embassy

Number of vacancies – 1

Salary Currency – BGN

Stipend / Allowance – BGN 880 + BGN 50 for transport allowance

Start Date – 1 December 2023

Other benefits and conditions of employment:

This a full-time/part-time and 9 month internship position of 36 hours per week (net of lunch breaks).The work pattern will be arranged flexibly, if possible as full-time internship position (36 working hours) or part-time, min. 20 working hours/ per week. 

The successful candidate will receive a monthly salary of BGN 880 + BGN 50 for transport allowance.

The job holder will be entitled to 25 days annual leave, calculated pro rata.

We offer free parking space in City Center, upon availability.

This position has limited possibility for working from home.

Core skills training and mandatory trainings will be provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. All staff have a personal development plan and access to world class learning and development opportunities.

The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background and security clearance. Anyone with right of residence and employment in Bulgaria may apply, including all EU/EEA citizens and the family members of EU/EEA nationals exercising a treaty right in Bulgaria.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions service according to Bulgarian employment law.

Visa/work permit requirements: Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Bulgaria 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.

Additional information 

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the FCDO will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.

*Please note for more information on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  levels  please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your language skill is going to be assessed.