Commercial Specialist (Foreign Commercial Service)

Position description

The U.S. Embassy in Brussels is looking for a temporary Commercial Specialist to join the Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Mission to the European Union.

Your responsibilities:

Job holder is a Senior Commercial Specialist tasked with monitoring EU policies, initiatives, and legislation and how those impact the potential for U.S. exports to the EU. Job holder advises USG officials and U.S. firms on the intricacies of the EU single-market and how to develop business opportunities within it.

A. Monitors, analyzes and reports on commercially significant developments in the current European Union (EU) political environment, including priorities, policies, legislation and programs affecting U.S. businesses operating in the assigned sectors (e.g. information and communication technologies, digital services, e-commerce, etc. and other sectors as required). Within the assigned sectors, the incumbent researches, analyzes and reports on a broad range of highly complex issues arising from U.S. firms attempting to enter, entering, doing business, or expanding within the Single Market. Issues typically result from EU requirements, policies, legislation and programs, which affect areas of interest to business like agency, customs, distribution, employment, environment, project financing, import, ingredients, intellectual property, labeling, marking, packaging, public procurement, and research and technological development.

Research, based on interviews and secondary sources, and analysis, including policy, regulatory, budgetary, statistical and marketing analyses, seek to uncover potential and actual export opportunities primarily in the EU institutions and all 27 EU Member States, but also, though to a lesser extent, in non-EU countries benefiting from EU programs, for U.S. firms in areas regulated, funded or financed by the EU. Examples of such areas are sectors undergoing EU-mandated deregulation or privatization, or sectors benefiting from EU research and economic development programs.

Examples of sources of secondary business and economic information used in research are electronic and print sources maintained by the U.S. Government, the EU institutions, international organizations and private sector entities. Special emphasis is given to topics of actual or potential interest to smaller American exporters as well as U.S. firms already operating in the EU. Updates regularly the U.S. Department of Commerce and other Washington agencies as well as Commercial Service offices elsewhere in Europe and in the U.S. On behalf of U.S. industry or the U.S. Government, makes recommendations to the European Commission to facilitate transatlantic business and increase EU market access for U.S. firms. Seeks clarifications from EU institutions of EU requirements, policies, legislation and programs.

B. Counsels U.S. companies, in person and in writing, on strategies to comply with, or take advantage of, EU requirements, policies, legislation and programs. Engages in public outreach and gives public presentations to business groups in the U.S. and Europe on EU requirements, policies, legislation and programs related to assigned sectors. Assists the Senior Commercial Officer (SCO), Deputy Senior Commercial Officer (DSCO) or Commercial Attachés (CA) in planning for, or participating in, seminars, conferences, trade missions or trade fairs.

Prepares articles for publication on EU requirements, policies, legislation and programs affecting the energy and environmental sectors. Where required and appropriate, investigates sensitive trade barrier or other business restriction complaints and recommends ways to resolve these issues. Supports important commercial advocacy efforts and other activities of the SCO, DSCO, or CA.

Your profile:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s or equivalent undergraduate degree in economics, political science, international business, international relations, or law, or related field.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in EU affairs, trade promotion, business management, economic research, business-to-business or business-government relations.

LANGUAGE: Fluency in English. Fluency in French or Dutch.

Our offer:

Dynamic and multi-cultural work environment.

Full-time position with extra-legal benefits: life insurance, hospitalization insurance (family included), meal tickets, transportation reimbursements, seniority leave, special holidays, training, etc.

Salary as of €7.007 gross/month.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to create their Electronic Recruitment Application profile via the Embassy website and submit their application before November 15, 2023. A complete application means that you outline in your ERA profile how you meet the minimum requirements and attach all required documents (a residence permit & a diploma, preferably recognized by Belgian/U.S. authorities). For further details on the process of diploma recognition via cfwb/naric, and other useful tips, please carefully read the notice to applicants on our website: https://be.usembassy.gov/jobs/#jobs.

Application instructions

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