About the job

Summary

This role is being advertised on behalf of The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DfID) merged on 1st 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.

We pursue our national interests and project 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.

We unite development and diplomacy in one new department. The FCDO brings together the best of Britain’s international effort and demonstrates the UK acting as a force for good in the world.

Who we are

We employ around 17,300 staff in our diplomatic and development offices worldwide, including in 280 overseas embassies and high commissions. Our UK-based staff work in our joint headquarters in King Charles Street, London and Abercrombie House, East Kilbride. We also have staff who work from FCDO Services HQ in Milton Keynes.

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 eligible and 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.

Job description

Main Purpose of Job

We are looking to recruit talented and enthusiastic individuals to join the FCDO at EO level. Successful candidates will have excellent people and organisation skills to be able to lead and motivate themselves and others. You will have a pro-active approach to problem solving and sound judgement to assess and deliver against a myriad of challenges. You will have excellent literacy and numeracy skills and have experience and confidence in the use of Microsoft Office and Windows 10. During your time in the FCDO, you will be supported in your personal development and have access to our International Academy and a wide range of opportunities to gain new skills and experience.

The positions are Home Civil Service roles within the FCDO, based across our UK locations in policy, programme and operational delivery roles in the UK. These roles directly contribute to the delivery of the FCDOs departmental strategic objectives. Roles may be in any area of the FCDO and applicants should be flexible and adaptable. We are not recruiting for a specific departmental vacancy; instead, you will be placed into a role based on business need.

There is some flexibility to work from home in most positions, our current policy is that staff should expect to spend 40-60% of their time in the office.

Roles and Responsibilities

FCDO Departments will configure the roles to meet specific business needs but they will typically include:

• Corporate Administration/EA Support: Creating and maintaining electronic management systems; databases and distribution lists; managing correspondence; organising meetings/events and taking notes in meetings; providing logistical and administrative support to enable effective working across the office, providing effective and timely briefing and advice.

• Programme Management: Manage supplier relationships and ensure effective management of delivery and risk; ensure the department has value for money for programmes; maintain accurate records.

• Budget Management: Budget monitoring, requisitioning, and raising purchase orders, and manipulation of data using spreadsheets; assisting with budget forecasting; understanding commercial and procurement policies.

• Policy Roles: You may be a junior desk officer, coordinating thematic or geographic policy and analysis; lead on Parliamentary engagement including Parliamentary questions and MPs correspondence; assist and support policy development and delivery across the FCDO.

• Consular Services: Work with stakeholders to agree strategies to progress consular cases, working with Embassies overseas, legal advisers, political teams and specialists. Providing support and assistance to British nationals overseas. Prepare written briefings and updates for Ministers and attending Ministerial meetings with MPs and family members.

• Customer Services: providing guidance for staff on policies and regulations, dealing with customers professionally and resolving queries within agreed timeframes.

Executive Officers provide professional office administration and support on programme management, budgets, customer services functions, Policy and Consular.

Roles at EO grade are varied and may be in Policy, Programme, Service Delivery or Operational areas. Some roles will have line management experience and some may be public facing.

Responsibilities

Person Specification

It is essential in your application that you provide evidence and proven examples in each of the following Minimum Criteria, the Behaviours and the Technical question as far as you are able to do so. These responses will be further developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview.

Minimum Criteria

• Strong literacy, numeracy, and IT skills.

• Competent using IT packages including Microsoft Office - Outlook, Excel and, ideally, knowledge of Microsoft Windows 10.

• Good interpersonal, team-working and communication skills (oral and written).

• Good organisational, analytical, and planning skills with the ability to work to tight deadlines.

• Able to make effective decisions, identify problems and propose solutions to maintain a quality service.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Motivation question.

Benefits

· A Civil Service Pension.

· 25 days Annual Leave per annum.

· 9 days Public and Privilege holidays per annum.

· Learning and Development tailored to your role.

See the attached candidate pack.