JOB DESCRIPTION

View Vacancy – Defence Policy Officer (DEN25.334)

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

Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)

Job Subcategory

MOD (Ministry of Defence)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Who We Are

The British Embassy in Copenhagen is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is looking for a Defence Policy Officer in the Defence section.

The main purpose of the job is to support the Defence Attaché (DA) by: providing policy advice, administrative support, information, insight and influence across Danish Defence and the associated sector.

What will you be expected to achieve?

You will plan and manage activities that enhance the Defence section’s network, keep the DA informed of developing areas of interest and build robust relationships in order to enhance military interoperability with Denmark to strengthen UK Government and Defence interests.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Monitoring and horizon scanning to provide situational awareness, insight and information on Danish Defence and Security for the defence section and embassy, including regular written reporting.
• Maintain institutional contacts across the Danish defence sector, represent the DA and UK MOD at events, and manage engagements, to enhance UK Defence’s network and influence, at all levels.
• Periodic research, analysis and reporting on specific Defence topics and issues. Respond to incoming defence related enquiries.
• General administration of the Defence Section including information management, managing the Defence Section Calendar and Forecast of Events, MS Outlook / Teams.
• With the Assistant DA, support the planning of Defence events and ceremonies. Plan, design, prioritise and coordinate programmes for official Defence visitors.
• Provide continuity and cover for the DA and Assistant DA when out of office. In particular, arrange diplomatic clearances for visiting UK military units (Air, Land & Sea).

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Our ideal candidate shows:

• You have previous Defence, Security or Embassy experience.
• You are flexible to operate alongside military colleagues.
• You have the ability to work well within a small team and the wider Embassy community.
• You show strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain a Danish network.
• You possess good Information Management / IT / Social Media skills.
• You have a clean driving license.
• You are a confident and experienced driver.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Nice to have:

• You have knowledge of the UK Armed Forces and Danish Defence.
• You have knowledge and experience with the UK and Danish culture.

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Seeing the Big Picture

Application deadline

19 October 2025

Grade

Administrative Officer (AO)

Type of Position

Permanent

Working hours per week

37.5

Region

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory

Denmark

Location (City)

Copenhagen

Type of Post

British Embassy

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

DKK

Salary

43.340

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

1 January 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

What we offer:

• This is a full time, permanent contract subject to a 3-month probation period;
• 37.5-hours working week with a focus on work-life balance, this role is primarily office-based. Flexible working of 1-2 days may be possible, subject to line manager agreement.
• There is an occasional requirement for evening and weekend duty as required.
• British Embassy Copenhagen offers a wide range of training and development opportunities, and we strongly encourage a culture of learning and development. You will be able to develop your communications skills, and access wider in-house training and funding for L+D courses, in agreement with your line manager;
• You will be encouraged to be actively involved in the corporate life of the Embassy, contributing to wider objectives and supporting a positive working environment;
• Private health insurance;
• A mix of Danish & British Public holidays.

Equal employment – We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability or gender identity. We particularly encourage applications from candidates with protected characteristics. The British Embassy in Copenhagen want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us, regardless of their background.

Interested?
Apply below. Please notice that this is the only way we accept applications. Uploads are not possible.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Additional information

The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check and security clearance.

The successful candidate must have pre-existing work authorisation for Denmark to apply.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Copenhagen are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Danish employment law.

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

The start date for the position is subject to the availability of the candidate and the length of the recruitment process.

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 the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

FCDO does not pay for travel related expense incurred in interviews (including Security Check) or accept any financial risk, including cancelation or reschedule costs. The FCDO will not meet the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

*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 skills are going to be assessed.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements