View Vacancy – Space Attaché (AUT26-012958)

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

UK Mission

Job Subcategory

UKMIS (UK Mission to the United Nations)

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)

Who are we?

The British Embassy in Vienna is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is looking for a Space Attaché, UK Mission to the UN, Vienna.

Main purpose of the role:

You will be the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) lead for the UK Mission to the UN in Vienna. You will represent the UK at UNOOSA meetings and in COPUOS and its Subcommittees (Scientific and Technical, and Legal), build and maintain the UK’s network with UNOOSA, Member States and industry observers, and drive UK campaigns to deliver HMG’s priorities on the peaceful uses of outer space — economic growth, national security, regulatory leadership and sustainable use of the space environment.

You will work in close partnership with the UK Space Agency (UKSA) in the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, which funds the role, and coordinate stakeholders across the UK Government. You will be part of a flexible and collaborative team that covers all non-nuclear and non-drug/crime Vienna-based UN organisations.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• UNOOSA and COPUOS lead: Lead UK preparation and delivery of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Legal Subcommittee (statements, side events, technical presentations, bilaterals, delegation logistics). Lead the growing intersessional programme feeding into UNGA Fourth Committee. Support UK reform agenda for COPUOS and its subcommittees, in line with UN80 priorities.
• UK campaigns and policy delivery: Support work on campaigns aligned with UK Space Agency’s priority areas: Space Situational Awareness (SSA); Space Resource Utilisation and the Long-Term Sustainability of Outer Space. Support UK positioning on the EU Space Act and regulatory diplomacy.
• Relationship management and coalition-building: Build and maintain relationships with UNOOSA stakeholders and Member State counterparts.
• UK space object registration: Manage the efficient registration of UK space objects with UNOOSA in line with the Registration Convention, working with the Civil Aviation Authority.
• Wider UK Mission support: Contribute to UKMIS Vienna set-piece events and cross-cutting reporting themes; deliver comms and campaigns via social media.

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

Our Ideal Candidate shows:

• Full professional proficiency in English (written and spoken, minimum of C1 level for CEFR framework*);
• Solid Policy analysis experience
• Excellent written and spoken communication, including influencing skills and/or development influencing strategies
• Previous experience of working internationally or at the United Nations
• Confidence engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders
• A strong team player with good people skills; strong ability to network and interact
• Ability to prioritise, effectively manage and execute multiple and competing tasks within the agreed deadlines
• Full proficiency in MS Office applications

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

Nice to have:

• Experience of working on space, science, regulatory and/or technology policy
• Experience of policy coordination or government working
• Project management experience
• Additional language proficiency

Required behaviours

Communicating and Influencing, Delivering at Pace, Making Effective Decisions, Working Together

Application deadline

16 August 2026

Grade

Executive Officer (EO)

Type of Position

Full-time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal

Working hours per week

35 hours per week

Region

Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Country/Territory

Austria

Location (City)

UK Mission to the United Nations, Vienna

Type of Post

British Embassy

Number of vacancies

1

Salary Currency

EUR

Salary

5,099 gross

Type of Salary

monthly

Start Date

1 October 2026

Other benefits and conditions of employment

This is a country based staff position at the British Embassy in Vienna; it is not a diplomatic designated position. The position is subject to the terms and conditions of British Embassy employees.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week) fixed-term contract until 31st March 2027. There is a possibility of renewal dependant on funding.

Working hours are flexible and staff are entitled to time-off-in-lieu for extra hours worked. The annual leave entitlement is 25 days per year pro rata and the Embassy also enjoys 14 Austrian / UK public holidays per year and we are committed to ensuring a work / life balance. Flexible working is supported, within operational constraints and in line with the flexible working policy.

The cost of the Vienna yearly transport ticket (currently capped at 365 EUR per year) is reimbursed (prorated for months in the role). There is a performance related pay scheme in place.

The monthly salary will be €5,099 gross, payable 14 times a year (prorated for months worked). You will receive your salary minus social insurance deductions and are expected to comply with Austrian tax obligations through completion of a tax return to the Austrian authorities. However, in some cases you will receive an abated salary where dual taxation agreements apply. Further information will be given at the recruitment stage.

The successful candidate will be subject to confirmation of a background check and security clearance. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they are legally able to work in Austria. The Embassy is not able to assist with any visa or sponsorship arrangements.

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

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

Learning Opportunities:

The British Embassy has an active L&D Committee and offers a wide range of development opportunities. A blend of learning opportunities will be available including shadowing, mentoring, and both formal and on the job training. Compulsory online training courses include Diversity and Inclusion, data protection, safeguarding and security. Additional online courses offered via the UK International Academy on Programme Delivery, Leadership and Management, Corporate Skills and on Europe and the UK government.

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 British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor 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 skill is 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.