Diplomatic Service officers work in the UK and abroad for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). They promote and protect British interests overseas, and support and advise British ministers in developing foreign policy.

The work 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 the country's government and media
• commercial - helping British companies to trade in the host country, and promoting investment to Britain
• consular - helping British citizens in the host country, and processing visa applications from local people who wish to come to Britain.

Each overseas embassy, consulate or high commission also employs staff in support services such as security and staff accommodation. London-based Diplomatic Service officers deal with one or more country or geographical area, or they are responsible for a specific issue that affects foreign policy in all countries.

There are various grades of Diplomatic Service officer, and their duties will depend on the grade:

• Policy Officers (C4) – research issues and help to develop policy and strategy
• Operational Officers (B3) - carry out a wide range of duties, for example dealing with visas or casework and managing clerical staff
• Executive Assistants (A2) and Administrative Assistants (A1) - provide administrative and accounts support in London and overseas.

See the FCO websites for examples of jobs and duties in each grade (details in the Further Information section below).

Hours and Environment

Your working hours will usually be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. However, your hours and conditions may vary according to the culture and climate of the host country, and some jobs may involve being on call 24 hours a day.

You will usually first spend one or two years in London and then be posted overseas at least once in your career. Overseas postings usually last three to four years, so you will need to consider the impact overseas work may have on your family life.

Skills and Interests

To be a Diplomatic Service officer you need:

• an interest in international affairs
• willingness to work anywhere in the world
• quick thinking and problem-solving skills
• excellent written and spoken communication skills
• the ability to get on with people from all societies and cultures
• a high degree of organisation
• tact and maturity
• foreign language skills, or the ability to learn languages.

Entry

To work at all grades in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office you need to meet certain security criteria. You must:

• be a British citizen
• have lived in the UK for at least two of the previous ten years (and so that security checks can be carried out, you must also have lived for at least three consecutive years in one country)
• be aged 16 or over.

You must also meet the educational requirements for the grade you wish to enter at:

Policy officers - you must be a graduate with at least a second class (2.2) honours degree in any subject.

You will usually apply to join at policy officer grade through the Civil Service Fast Stream (see Fast Stream website for details).

Operational officers - you must have an honours degree in any subject.

For policy and operational grades, you will find it useful to have previous work experience in management, business or public administration. Your potential for learning foreign languages will also be tested at the final interview stage.

The FCO offers some undergraduate work experience placements, which may help your chances of employment in the future.

Executive assistants - you will need:

• at least five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including English and maths
• a minimum typing speed of 30 words per minute - this will be tested during the selection process.

The selection process involves several stages and can take up to twelve months for policy and operational grades. See the FCO websites for full details about recruitment.

Training

You will begin 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 their in-house language training centre to prepare for overseas postings.

Opportunities

As a Diplomatic Service officer you will be based in the FCO in London or Milton Keynes, or in embassies, consulates or High Commissions in other countries all over the world. There are over 3,500 people in the Diplomatic Service working in London or overseas.

Jobs are advertised in the national press and on the FCO and Civil Service Fast Stream websites.

There is a clear career structure through the grades. You may be able to earn promotion to operational officer after two years as an executive assistant. Promotion afterwards is strictly down to merit and ability. If you have joined through the Fast Stream, you may be able to progress quicker through the grades to senior management levels.

Annual Income

Salaries are linked to Civil Service pay scales. Staff working in London are paid an extra allowance of £3,000 a year on top of the following salaries:

Administrative assistants start on around £13,700 a year.
Executive assistants start on £15,700 a year. 
Operational officers start on around £18,600.
Policy officers start on around £20,000 a year. 

Salaries vary for experienced staff as pay is performance related. Staff working overseas may be paid additional allowances.

Further information

http://www.fcocareers.co.uk