Overview
Honorary Consul in Gothenburg Jobs in Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden at British Embassy Stockholm
Title: Honorary Consul in Gothenburg
Company: British Embassy Stockholm
Location: Stockholm, Stockholm County, Sweden
The British Embassy in Sweden is part of a worldwide network, representing British interests overseas. We are an inclusive and a diversity-friendly organisation. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage expressions of interest from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law.
We are currently recruiting for the role of Honorary Consul in Gothenburg.
Main purpose of role:
The British Honorary Consul in Gothenburg will support the British Embassy Stockholm by providing a consular presence for British nationals in Gothenburg, as well as support to wider UK interests in the region. The role entails delivering limited (up to four hours per week) and task-based consular, crisis, liaison, and external engagement activities under Embassy direction.
The British Honorary Consul will work under the supervision of the Deputy Head of Mission in Stockholm and work closely with our consular, defence, political and communications teams, as well as others when needed.
Please note that Honorary Consuls are not employees of the Embassy. This is a non-employed, honorary and voluntary appointment (see “important information” below).
Appointment Duration
The appointment will initially be for a term of one year. At the end of the initial term, the appointment may be renewed for a further five years, subject to the requirements of the Embassy. Any further terms would be reviewed at that end of the five-year point.
Roles and responsibilities:
Local Engagement
· Build and maintain effective relationships with local police, hospitals, airports, ports, social services, and other relevant authorities.
· Build and maintain effective relationships with key business, political, defence, diplomatic, civil society and wider local figures, promoting UK interests.
Support to the Embassy’s Objectives
- Provide insights regarding local commercial/economic, political or other developments on request.
- Attend relevant events when requested to do so by the Embassy, for example Remembrance services; ANZAC day; Gothenburg book fair; diplomatic and cultural events.
- Support visits by the Ambassador and Embassy staff to the region when requested.
- Assist local British businesses by offering signposting and relevant connections.
Consular Support
· Provide consular assistance in the region when instructed by the Embassy and occasional in-person consular support (e.g. making contact with/visiting British nationals in hospital or prison at the Embassy’s request).
· Submit timely and accurate notes of actions taken to the Embassy.
· Direct members of the public to official information sources (e.g., Travel Advice, Support for British Nationals Abroad).
Crisis Response
· Act as an early source of situational awareness during local crisis incidents affecting British nationals.
· Liaise with local authorities and emergency services when requested.
· Assist consular colleagues by carrying out safe, directed activities (e.g., hospital visits) when Embassy staff cannot attend.
· Participate in Embassy crisis-response exercises and be familiar with emergency plans.
The Honorary Consul will undertake the above activity only with specific instruction from the Embassy. They are not permitted to engage with the media in this role or advertise their role on social media. Further restrictions apply that will be discussed with candidates prior to appointment.
Skills / experience / qualifications:
Essential on appointment:
· Strong standing in the local community, with established networks and credibility.
· Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
· Ability to communicate clearly, sensitively and professionally, particularly when assisting vulnerable or distressed individuals.
· Ability to work independently and respond flexibly at short notice.
· Good understanding of the local context, authorities and institutions within the region.
· High standards of integrity, discretion and impartiality.
· Fluent Swedish and English.
Desirable:
· Prior engagement with FCDO/HMG stakeholders.
· Experience in community leadership, crisis response, or volunteer service.
· Knowledge of UK–Sweden relations, including political and/or commercial landscapes
Important Information about the Role
This is a non-employed, honorary appointment. The role does not constitute employment with the British Embassy. The Honorary Consul will act in an independent capacity in support of the UK.
A modest annual honorarium of approximately £4,000 (SEK equivalent) is provided in recognition of the role. Certain expenses can be reimbursed, but must be agreed in advance. The successful applicant is responsible for determining their own tax position and for complying with any applicable tax or reporting obligations.
The Honorary Consul will form an integral part of the Embassy’s wider network across Sweden and is required to maintain regular contact with the Deputy Head of Mission.
Note that Honorary Consuls have limited privileges and immunities under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. They do not enjoy personal inviolability or general immunity from criminal or civil jurisdiction, are subject to local taxes, and must comply fully with local law.
This is a voluntary, flexible role (up to four hours per week), activated when required by the Embassy. Out-of-hours tasking may be necessary depending on consular needs or other important factors (e.g. weekend Remembrance activities, evening diplomatic functions).
Appointment is subject to successful completion of security clearance and acceptance by the relevant Swedish authorities.
Learning and development opportunities
Honorary Consuls must complete required training within the first three months of appointment, including: Consular Fundamentals; GDPR Training; Rape and Sexual Assault (RSA) Awareness; and familiarisation with the Travel Advice for Sweden, the public information about consular services on Support for British Nationals Abroad and the Consular Charter. Additional learning opportunities exist, including in crisis management, modern diplomacy, and trade/commercial work. The Embassy will provide an induction, a mentor/buddy, and opportunities for learning within the Nordic–Baltic network.
More information and how to apply
To apply, send your expression of interest to [email protected], including the following documents with the subject “Honorary Consul Gothenburg application”.
· A recent CV
· A motivation letter for the position, describing your interest in the role and your eligibility for the above criteria.
Please also reach out if you have any questions or remarks about the position.
The closing date for applications is close of business on 23 July 2026. The approximate start date is September 2026. Due to the high level of applications, the British Embassy will only be able to contact the candidates that move forward on the recruitment process.
