Greater Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels Office
STUDENT PLACEMENT 2016-2017
PLACEMENT DESCRIPTION
Post Title:
EU Communications & Marketing Assistant (Full Time)
Purpose of role:
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To support the development and delivery of the communication activities for the Greater Birmingham and West
Midlands Brussels Office and its conference centre;
To support the development and delivery of promotional activities for West Midlands key strategic partners
including products, projects and businesses to a Brussels-based audience;
To assist in the organisation of profile-raising events for the office’s key partners.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Assistance with marketing and communications:
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Assist in planning, coordinating, writing articles for, designing and distributing communication to the Brussels
Office partners and wider audience in the West Midlands and Brussels;
Coordinate, design and distribute Greater Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels Office Calendar of Events;
Assistance with projects to promote the West Midlands to a Brussels-based audience including the
development of a permanent showcase of innovation, Advanced Manufacturing and design at the Greater
Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels Office and promote its use by its members.
Update and develop Greater Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels Office website:
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Update and develop the website, and ensure the following pages are regularly maintained:
o Events and Promotions pages;
o Birmingham pages;
o Networking and International links pages;
o Twitter feed;
o Monitor website usage.
Edit and distribute regular publications
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Write and distribute EU news newsletter and funding opportunities;
Edit and layout publications, leaflets and newsletters on graphic templates.
Greater Birmingham and West Midlands
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Support in preparing briefings for regional partners as well as background research on requested policy areas;
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Support partner searches and links with other regional offices and networks in Brussels, on request.
Events
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Support planning for and follow-up activities of identified events at the Greater Birmingham and West
Midlands Brussels Office, including:
o Managing guest/delegates lists and enquiries;
o Managing publicity pre- and post-event;
o Providing registration and logistical support on the day;
o Accompanying delegations on request.
Other duties
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Providing operational support for the office’s conference centre (e.g.: reception cover, assisting with setting up
rooms including audio-visual equipment, assisting with coffee breaks etc.);
Greater Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels Office

Contacting and responding to enquiries from sectoral contacts in the Greater Birmingham and West Midlands
as required;
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Attending meetings hosted by the European Institutions and European-based networks, write briefings for
regional partners including policy communication;
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Help with basic IT support for Brussels Office.
Other duties appropriate to the level of the post.
Contact:
Adrien Sellez, European Policy and Funding Advisor
Adrien.sellez@greaterbirmingham.eu
www.greaterbirmingham.eu
PERSON SPECIFICATION
EU Communications & Marketing Assistant
Education
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
IT
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
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Essential
Current undergraduate student
A-level or equivalent qualification
Understanding & command of
Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint,
Internet and email
Knowledge of Photoshop, InDesign
Experience of website design /
management
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Professional/ technical

Language skills
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Fluent in written and spoken
English
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Experience

Skills
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Personal abilities
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
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Desirable
Qualifications or studies in
marketing / PR /
(international) business
administration/ Design
Knowledge of online mailing
systems
Knowledge of EU institutions
and processes
Knowledge of the West
Midlands region
Knowledge of second EU
language
Experience of working in an
office environment
Experience of working in a
marketing or business
administration role
Good written and verbal
communication skills
Good interpersonal skills and ability
to liaise with people at all levels
Good organisational skills and
ability to prioritise
Ability to work to tight deadlines
Ability to work in high profile,
dynamic and changing environment
Good team worker
Attention to detail
Flexible
Greater Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels Office
2
Greater Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels Office
STUDENT PLACEMENT 2016-2017
PLACEMENT DESCRIPTION
Post Title:
EU Policy Assistant (Full Time)
Purpose of job:



To support in delivering tailored EU policy information, funding and profile advice to the strategic partners of
the Greater Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels office;
Monitoring EU policy, industry and regulatory developments in the interest areas of the office’s key partners;
To write news articles and features for the Greater Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels Office and other
publications as well as help coordinate the office’s contributions to partner publications.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Provide support in monitoring EU policy, legislation and funding:
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Daily monitoring of EU institutions and other relevant websites;
Support the team in intelligence gathering and in the analysis of documentation by researching areas of EU
policy and funding;
Respond to enquiries;
Identify key Brussels-based events and meetings relevant to the office’s policy work;
Attend meetings hosted by the European Institutions and European-based networks, write briefings for regional
partners including policy communication;
Help build relationships with Brussels-based stakeholders on priority issues for the office.
Edit and distribute regular publications:

Write and contribute to EU newsletters, events and funding opportunities.
Write articles and coordinate other’s contributions to partner publications:
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Help ensure effective communication;
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Maintain updated contacts database and mailing lists;
Monitor and update team on relevant West Midlands news (via daily ‘Birmingham Post’ newspaper, partners’
publications, websites…).
Help ensure smooth running of West Midlands European Centre:
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Support planning of events:
o Manage delegate lists and enquiries;
o Accompany delegations on request;
o Provide registration and logistical support;
o Write report and website press release.
Help provide reception cover.
Other duties:

Providing operational support for the West Midlands Brussels (e.g.: reception cover, assisting with setting up
rooms including audio-visual equipment, assisting with coffee breaks etc.);


Respond to enquiries from and liaise with partners, as required;
Attending meetings hosted by the European Institutions and European-based networks, write briefings for
regional partners including policy communication;


Help with basic IT support for Brussels Office.
Other duties appropriate to the level of the post.
Greater Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels Office
3
Contact:
Adrien Sellez, European Policy and Funding Advisor
Adrien.sellez@greaterbirmingham.eu
www.greaterbirmingham.eu
PERSON SPECIFICATION
EU Policy Assistant
Education


Professional/ technical


Essential
Current undergraduate student
A-level or equivalent qualification

Keen interest in UK and EU
politics
Up to date with current affairs


IT

Understanding & command of
Microsoft Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Internet and email


Language skills

Fluent in written and spoken
English


Experience

Skills



Personal abilities





Desirable
Qualification or studies in
European studies, political
science, media, journalism
Knowledge of EU institutions
and processes
Knowledge of West Midlands
region
Knowledge of PowerPoint
Experience of designing,
updating and maintaining
websites
Knowledge of second EU
language
Experience of working in an
office environment
Experience of writing &
researching articles,
newsletters, reports
Good written and verbal
communication skills
Good interpersonal skills and
ability to liaise with people at all
levels
Good organisational skills and
ability to prioritise
Ability to work to tight deadlines
Attention to detail
Ability to work in high profile,
dynamic and changing
environment
Good team worker and ability to
work under own initiative
Flexible
Greater Birmingham and West Midlands Brussels Office
4