Things are easy for you
The role of the Diplomatic Service is to protect and work for UK interests throughout the world in a variety of ways. Operational entrants (grade B3) play an active, varied and high-profile role within many areas of the service and have the opportunity to influence international and diplomatic development.
Typical work activities
Most new entrants are placed in one of the FCO's main departments in London. The range of tasks undertaken varies according to the department; for example, in a geographical section, you will be collating country profiles and disseminating this information; in the human resources (HR) department, you will deal with recruitment, training and a broad range of HR work.
Typical work activities may include:
- drafting and proofreading written reports;
- liaising with high commissions and embassies;
- organising and ensuring the smooth running of ministerial and diplomatic visits, from transport arrangements to entertainment;
- answering general written correspondence by letter or email;
- analysing and interpreting written material;
- dealing with queries by telephone from other departments, members of the public and overseas contacts;
- dealing with queries from the public face to face;
- updating travel advice and information;
- managing staff, including overseeing staff performance and carrying out annual appraisals;
- managing departmental or project budgets;
- updating and completing personnel details, accounts and other administrative tasks;
- supporting and assisting colleagues with their policy work;
- undertaking other specific activities related to your particular department.