Diplomatic service officer Job Information | National Careers Service

The work

The work of the FCO is very varied and covers every area where British interests and citizens are involved internationally, for example:

• political – monitoring political and economic developments in the host country, and representing Britain to that country's government and media
• commercial – helping British companies to trade in the host country, and promoting investment into Britain
• consular – helping British citizens in the host country, and processing visa applications from local people who wish to come to Britain.

Your day-to-day duties would depend on your grade. For example:

• Policy Officers (grade C4) – researching issues and helping to develop policy and strategy
• Executive Assistants (A2) – drafting letters, handling accounts and invoices, and providing clerical support
• Administrative Assistants (A1) – providing clerical support.

As a UK-based Policy or Operational Officer, you might be responsible for one country or geographical area, or for a specific foreign policy issue that affects many countries.

Hours

You will normally work 41 hours per week, Monday to Friday. However, when overseas, your hours and conditions may vary according to the culture and climate of your host country. Some jobs may involve being on call 24 hours a day.

When you first start work with the FCO you would spend between 18 months and three years in London, before your first posting overseas. Most overseas postings last between three and four years.

Income

Administrative Assistants start on £16,635 a year (plus London allowance where appropriate). Executive assistants start on £18,885 a year. Operational Officers start on £21,432. Policy (Fast Stream) Officers start on £26,102 a year.

All London-based staff are also awarded an extra allowance of £3,000 a year for when working in London. Staff working overseas may be paid additional allowances.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

The qualifications and experience that you need to join the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will vary depending on the grade of job you are applying for.

To join as a C4 Policy Entrant through the civil service's Fast Stream programme, you must have at least a second class degree in any subject. You must then pass a series of skills-based online and practical tests. See the Faststream website for more information on the Fast Stream recruitment process.

• Faststream

For Executive Assistant (A2) posts you will need at least five GCSEs (A-C) including English and maths, or equivalent qualifications. For Administrative Assistant (A1) posts you will need two GCSEs (A-C) including English, or equivalent.

To join the FCO at any grade, you must meet the nationality and residency requirements, and pass a strict security vetting process. See the Careers section of the FCO website for full details of these.

• Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)

Each job's selection process involves several stages, and can take several months to complete especially at the higher grades.

For the policy grade, previous work experience in management, business or public administration would be useful, though not essential.

You will find it useful to have experience of office work for the administrative grades, and your typing skills will be tested during the selection process.

Training and development

You would start with an induction course, which introduces the work of the diplomatic service and the FCO in general. You will have access to a range of training opportunities throughout your career, especially in the early years.

Language training is important, and the FCO encourages all staff to take advantage of its in-house language training centre to prepare for overseas postings.

Skills and knowledge

To be a diplomatic service officer you should have:

• an interest in international affairs
• willingness to work anywhere in the world
• initiative and quick thinking
• good problem-solving skills
• excellent written and spoken communication skills
• the ability to get on with people from all societies and cultures
• an organised approach
• tact and maturity
• flexibility and adaptability.

More information

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
www.fco.gov.uk

Civil Service Jobs Online
No central telephone number for information, see website for contacts for individual departments
www.civilservice.gov.uk/jobs

Careers in Operational Delivery - helps you to explore the different career pathways you would need to follow to get to specific job roles within Operational Delivery
www.civilservice.gov.uk/my-civil-service/networks/professional/operational-delivery/leading-opdel-profession.aspx

Opportunities

You would be based in London or Milton Keynes, or in embassies, consulates or High Commissions all over the world. Jobs are advertised in the national press and on the FCO and Civil Service websites.

There is a clear career structure through the grades. Promotion depends on merit and ability. As a policy officer in the Fast Stream programme, you could progress to senior management within four or five years.