Description

The UK Mission works with the full spectrum of multilateral organisations/agencies in Geneva on issues including human rights, global health, trade & economic issues, humanitarian and more. This internship offers the opportunity to deliver a range of events for the Ambassador and wider Mission, as well as working on official visits.

Events are a core part of our diplomatic tradecraft: we use them to build relationships and deliver on UK priorities. If successful, you will become an expert in diplomatic protocol. We also encourage our interns to come forward with creative ideas so that we can diversify the types of events we host.

Supporting the Visits and Events Officer, this internship is an unrivalled opportunity to be at the centre of a busy multilateral Mission and to learn from senior diplomats.

Roles and responsibilities:

Event management:

You will work on everything from small dinners and lunches to large receptions and themed soft power events. You will assist in leading the organisation of our flagship event – the King’s Birthday Party in Geneva with attendance of up to 800 guests. Main tasks will include:

• Weekly events planning meetings with the Ambassador’s Private Office and the Residence Manager;
• Preparing and managing guest lists;
• Booking and providing instructions to security guards;
• Creating and sending out invitations using events software and design tools such as Canva;
• Overseeing diplomatic protocol: creating seating plans, printing menu cards and name cards, meeting and greeting guests on site;
• Advising all staff on diplomatic protocol through meetings, presentations and written guidelines;
• Following up with and providing information to guests, other Geneva-based permanent missions and international organisations, internal policy leads and external providers through both written and spoken communication;
• Creating analytical data reports that contribute to the Mission objectives and help steer the Ambassador’s decision making;
• Negotiating contracts and preferential rates with hotels, making bookings with local restaurants;
• Updating venue and restaurant guidelines and advising policy leads on suitable venues;
• Database management.

Visit management:

• Supporting with logistics to ensure programmes for Ministers and other senior officials run smoothly;
• Updating and sending the weekly Visits & Events Forward Plan to all staff at the Mission;
• Assisting with the visits schedule for the Ambassador and Senior Leadership at the Mission;
• Overseeing diplomatic protocol and sharing visits guidelines with all staff.

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Our ideal candidate shows:

• Written and spoken fluency in English at a minimum of C1 level according to CEFR*;
• Keen eye for detail;
• Good time management skills;
• Comfortable dealing with colleagues and contacts at all levels;
• Adaptability and creativity;
• Ability to juggle priorities and deliver at pace.

Nice to have:

• Qualified or currently undertaking studies in Communications, Events Management, Business Administration, Hospitality or a related field.
• Previous experience acquired through internships, volunteering or ad-hoc work in related areas;
• Knowledge of the French language;
• Experience working on design software (e.g. Canva) to create invitations;
• An interest in multilateral diplomacy;
• Knowledge of British culture.

Required behaviours: Changing and Improving, Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, Working Together

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The UK Mission will offer the intern a monthly training allowance of 1,450 CHF. Please note that interns will need to arrange and pay for their own travel and accommodation, as well as any other living costs and are subject to Swiss taxes. This internship will be for a period of 6 months, with possibility of extension to a maximum 11 months.

All applicants should have permission to live and work in Switzerland.

Applicants that have the right to live and work in Geneva and don’t require a visa sponsorship are: Nationals from United Kingdom, European Union and EFTA, along with Nationals of: Brunei Darussalam, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Principality of Andorra, Principality of Monaco, San Marino, Singapore and Vatican – these applicants are eligible to live and work in Switzerland as long as holding a full passport valid for at least 12 months.

Where applicable, we encourage successful applicants (if from Europe or the UK) to j4id10038230a j4it0103a j4iy26a