View Vacancy - Senior Defence Congressional Advisor, BDS, Washington DC

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.
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
MOD (Ministry of Defence)

Main purpose of job:

The British Government’s Embassy in Washington is offering an exciting opportunity to join the British Defence Staff – United States (BDSUS) as the Senior Defence Congressional Advisor. This is a meaningful role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US—contributing to work shaping international diplomacy and advancing UK defence and security priorities at the heart of Washington policymaking.

The US Network offers a unique, career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave, competitive insurance options, a top tier 401(k) programme, and access to world class learning and development resources.

We are committed to fostering a healthy work life balance and supporting employee wellbeing through a structured hybrid working model that includes opportunities for remote work and flexible hours, where operational needs allow.

In this role, you will be part of a dynamic international environment spanning the British Government’s extensive network across the United States and the United Kingdom, which includes the Embassy in Washington, the UK Mission to the United Nations, multiple Consulates, and other Government Offices—comprising over 900 staff and supporting the work of approximately 30 UK government departments and agencies.

As Senior Defence Congressional Advisor for the British Defence Staff – United States, you will play a central role in strengthening UK US collaboration on the breadth of the UK-US defence relationship. Positioned within the Political Section, the role will work closely with the Political Counsellor, while reporting to the Defence Counsellor for Policy and Strategy in the British Defence Staff. You will support internal stakeholders such as defence policy teams (based in D.C and the UK) and the Embassy’s Senior Leadership Team to design and deliver effective strategies for congressional engagement and work closely with external partners including Congressional offices. This role supports the UK’s broader strategic objectives across the Defence relationship and offers valuable experience in international engagement and cross-government collaboration. You will also oversee the team’s Congressional Adviser and support the development of UK colleagues’ understanding of Congressional dynamics.

We’re looking for a strategic, credible, and proactive professional with significant experience of working on the Hill on a range of defence policy issues. You will bring strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and strategic judgement skills, alongside a sophisticated understanding of the U.S. political and national security landscape. A commitment to high quality advice, effective leadership, and continuous learning will be essential to success in this role.

Roles and responsibilities:

The Senior Defence Congressional Advisor leads the British Defence Staff’s engagement with the U.S. Congress, ensuring UK defence equities are effectively advanced and protected. The role combines strategic legislative planning, senior level relationship management, authoritative policy reporting, and leadership within the Defence Section. The post holder is expected to deliver timely, politically astute advice and tangible outcomes in support of UK defence and national security objectives.

Congressional Strategy Development (about 25%)

You will develop and deliver medium and short-term congressional engagement strategies to ensure UK equities are proactively advanced and defended. This includes strategies to increase Embassy impact on defence authorisation and appropriations legislation, supporting wider UK Defence Staff objectives on policy development, and contributing actively to Embassy‑ and London‑led strategy discussions. 

Congressional Engagement and Advocacy (about 30%)

Linked to the strategies developed above, you will lead extensive engagement with key Congressional contacts to advocate for UK interests, with particular focus on the National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) and defence appropriations processes. This includes maintaining a firmly non‑partisan profile; advancing UK objectives with Members of Congress and staff; identifying opportunities and risks; and spotting emerging trends, key personalities, and rising influencers relevant to UK defence policy. This will include ensuring effective stakeholder mapping of key contacts.

Analysis and Reporting (about 15%)

You will proactively track Congressional activity across the full range of U.S. defence policy issues, providing early warning, contextualised analysis, and politically astute advice to Embassy leadership and subject‑matter experts in Washington and London. Deliverables include a suite of regular written reports on events, trends, and Congressional dynamics, alongside rapid, high‑quality reactive reporting on emerging issues.

Briefing, Visits, and Senior Engagement Support (about 15%)

You will produce high‑quality written briefing and talking points for senior official and ministerial engagements with Congress. You will also identify and develop opportunities for inward and outward visits between Washington and London, supporting programmes and engagement strategies that strengthen UK‑US defence relationships and advance policy aims.

Leadership, Team Coordination, and Internal Capability Building (about 15%)

You will lead the Defence element of the Embassy’s Congressional team, line‑managing one member of staff and ensuring alignment between day‑to‑day outputs, senior intent, and wider Embassy political priorities. You will help build broader understanding of Congress across the Defence Section, foster strong professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, and contribute flexibly to wider political and defence policy team priorities as required.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure) 

This post line manages the Defence Congressional Advisor (HEO).



Essential on arrival:

  • 5+ years of Congressional experience in a legislative assistant role or higher, with at least 2-3 years of experience in defence/national security issues. 
  • Significant experience of working on the Hill on a wide range of defence policy subjects. 
  • Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills are required.  Must be able to represent the Embassy at external meetings and win the confidence of senior US and UK officials.
  • Strong networking skills and ability to gain access to key figures.
  • Flexibility in a team setting, with an enthusiastic approach to work, is essential.  We are looking for evidence of the ability to work well with others on a wide range of issues as a team player and an expert adviser.
  • The proven ability to work independently to define challenging objectives based on engagement with internal customers and needs analysis.
  • The ability to work resiliently under pressure to deliver objectives, including in the face of changing demands.
  • Must be fluent in English (written and spoken).
  • Must hold at least one of the following passports: US, UK, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

Language requirements: 

Language: English

Level of language required: Expert

Desirable skills / experience / qualifications:

  • Experience in managing legislative outcomes for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) or Defense Appropriation bills for either a personal office in the House or Senate or the House/Senate Armed Services or Appropriations Committee(s). 
  • A Graduate degree.
  • Additional experience of working within a relevant part of the Administration.
  • Knowledge of UK policy strengths and priorities.
Communicating and Influencing, Leadership, Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the Big Picture, Working Together
22 May 2026
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
Washington
British Embassy
1
USD
$109,060
yearly
20 July 2026

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. 

Eligibility

You must have the right to live and work in the US in order to take up this role, whether in your own right or as a dependant, and be able to demonstrate that when required. If you are not a US citizen, dual US citizen or US Permanent Resident, it is your responsibility check your eligibility to work for a foreign government in the United States, and specifically to work in this role at this location, and provide proof of your eligibility via an Employment Authorisation Document or other relevant document when required. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available. 

You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.


Core Hours/Hybrid Working

While many jobs in the US Network are able to offer flexibility in terms of working hours, core business hours are 09:30 to 15:00 (in the local time zone) Monday through Friday.

Employees will be expected to work from office full-time during the first 90 days of employment. After this time employees may work from home no more than 40% of the working week, subject to operational needs.

All working hours and hybrid working are position specific and subject to change at any time, without notice. If you have any questions, please address them with the hiring manager.

Working Patterns:

Working with colleagues across US and UK time zones will sometimes require a degree of flexibility. 
 
There is an expectation to host and attend events outside of normal working hours, on occasion. 

Learning and Development

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).   

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance.  

Unique Tax Rules

Please note that the tax arrangements imposed by the US on staff working for foreign governments, as well as those imposed by the UK Treasury on British and dual nationals working for the UK Government overseas, are atypical. The UK Government cannot withhold taxes (including FICA) on behalf of a US taxpayer.  Instead, a US taxpayer is required to file taxes as if they are self-employed, and a FICA allowance is granted for those required to pay the employer contribution.  Certain categories of staff (for example dual UK-US nationals and some visa holders) who work at Consulates General are not subject to US taxes.  For those not subject to US taxes the UK Government reduces gross pay to a level broadly equivalent to taxed net pay. There are also social security implications for dual UK-US nationals. Please keep all this in mind when looking at the salary and the benefits package. If you are offered a job with the UK’s US Network you will be given further tax and social security information relevant to your personal circumstances and place of work; you are advised to consider this information and its impact on your circumstances carefully – potentially with the advice of a tax professional - before accepting a job.

Closing date of receiving applications is before 23:55 (Local Time) on 22 May 2026.

All applicants must fully complete the online application form, including the sections for employment and educational details, experience, and behaviour-based questions. Only those applications that contain all required information will be considered. To ensure the sift process remains anonymous, please do not include any personally identifiable information in your application form.

Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.

Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate.

Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position.



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.

This opportunity is closed to applications.