Working for FCDO

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DfID) merged on 1 September 2020 to form the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

The FCDO pursues our national interests and projects the UK as a force for good in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners.

Reasons to work for us

More and more people are looking for job satisfaction: the feeling that what they do is worthwhile and makes a positive difference to people’s lives. FCDO offers a diverse range of job opportunities in areas ranging from foreign policy to development. We lead the UK’s work on Global Britain and on ending extreme poverty. Our work aims to build a safer, healthier, more prosperous world for people globally, as well as in the UK.

About the FCDO

The FCDO is the UK government department responsible for protecting and promoting British interests around the world. We work in the UK and in 178 countries and territories.

We employ a diverse range of talented people capable of delivering to a high standard, often under pressure and sometimes in difficult places. We want the modern FCDO to reflect the very best of 21st century Britain. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified applicants irrespective of background or circumstances.

We welcome applications from all parts of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or background. We are committed to diversity and inclusion in all that we do. We encourage and support all staff to realise their potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance.

In return, we guarantee a fascinating, personally rewarding career at the centre of world events. We regularly score highly in surveys of ‘employers graduates would most like to work for’. The Civil Service has been in the top 10 of the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers over the last decade.

Our staff

The FDCO employs around 17,300 staff in its diplomatic and development offices worldwide, who represent the UK and help protect UK nationals abroad. Roughly a third are UK-based civil servants, whose careers typically include roles both in the UK and overseas. Around two thirds are employed locally in other countries.

To learn more about our work, and what you could do, follow us on social media. To find jobs at the FDCO, visit the Civil Service Jobs website.

Recruitment

All new recruitment to the FCDO follows Civil Service Recruitment Principles.

We also participate in several Fast Stream schemes including:

• Government Economic Service Fast Stream
• Government Communication Service Fast Stream
• Digital Data Technology Service Fast Stream
• Finance Fast Stream
• Commercial Fast Stream
• Human Resources Fast Stream

Recruitment into the FCDO is usually either as a Generalist civil servant or as a Specialist eg; Research Analyst, lawyer etc. We advertise our vacancies on Civil Service Jobs, which explains the criteria and requirements for each role. In some cases, new staff will rotate between a variety of roles in the UK and overseas.

Apprenticeships

The FCDO has committed to developing its Apprenticeship Programme, contributing to the Government’s goal of 3 million apprenticeships by 31 March 2021. We have recruited apprentices in Business Administration, Customer Service, Public Relations and Communications, Human Resources, Finance (Accountancy) and Commercial Procurement. We normally recruit apprentices via Civil Service Jobs, and via the Government Communication Service Scheme.

Eligibility criteria for each apprenticeship programme can vary. We publish details in each recruitment advert, together with the FCDO’s entry requirements.

Current vacancies

Business Administrator Apprentices

We are seeking Business Administrator Apprentices who are organised and pro-active, with good literacy, numeracy, and IT skills. You will be motivated to provide high-quality administrative services while gaining the skills and experience to become a business administration professional. The 16-month apprenticeship offers a structured learning journey and leads to a certificate in Business Administration.

Assistant Legal Advisors

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Legal Directorate of the FCDO.’s Legal Directorate. As an Assistant Legal Advisor, you will advise on a range of questions on public international law,law asand well as domestic law. You must be an excellent lawyer with a desire to develop your expertise and be able to operate in a fast-moving environment.

Commercial/Procurement Adviser

This is an opportunity to join the FCDO’s Commercial Directorate, working with the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund Team (CSSF). Working with people all over the world, you will support creative solutions to complex national security challenges. You will provide vital commercial advice and recommendations to programme teams, including contract managers, using a working knowledge of public procurement regulations.

Work experience

The FCDO aims to recruit a talented and diverse workforce, which reflects the society we serve. We aim to provide opportunities to gain beneficial work experience. To support this, we participate in the Leonard Cheshire Intern Programme, and the Department for Education Care Leavers Internship scheme, Cabinet office led Autism Exchange Programme and Summer Diversity Internship programme. Use these links to find out more about any of these programmes and how to apply. Find out more about ways to join the Civil Service.

To encourage interest in FCDO careers from a range of backgrounds, we offer work experience opportunities. We hope that, by creating the opportunity to sample working at the FCDO, participants will consider us as a future employer.

Undertaking work experience or an Internship with us does not guarantee future employment with the FCDO, or offer any preferential treatment in the selection processes. Recruitment for permanent employment is merit-based, in strict accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.

Recruitment process

Before you apply for a job with us, you should read the following guidance:

• Civil Service Success Profiles
• International competencies
• FCDO technical competency frameworks
• Civil Service Code
• Civil Service Recruitment Principles

Government Internal Fraud Initiative

FCDO participates in the Government Internal Fraud Initiative, in conjunction with the Cabinet Office. This protects the Civil Service and public funds against loss caused by internal fraud and dishonest conduct.

Under the initiative, a 5-year ban prohibits anyone dismissed for fraudulent or dishonest conduct from gaining employment in any participating department. People who resign or otherwise leave, but who would have been dismissed had they continued in employment, are also be subject to the ban.

Successful interview candidates to FCDO will be screened against the Cabinet Office database. The Cabinet Office use information on the outcome of any checks for monitoring and analysis purposes, and to ensure that checks are carried out. The data will also be used for research on preventing and detecting fraud. No data will be shared outside of the FCDO, Cabinet Office, Civil Service Resourcing, and other participating departments, except on an anonymised basis.