would work for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) either in the UK or abroad You'll have access to a wide range of Civil Service training, designed to prepare you for your first overseas posting. The majority of overseas jobs involve working in the missions on consular, management and immigration-focused work. You could also spend time undergoing priority hard language training.As part of your operational training, you may work in a Minister's office, in the consular department or media office or on a range of issues, including financial and commercial.Training in policy can include being a policy lead on key issues such as climate change or counter terrorism, or working as a desk officer for a particular country.You're encouraged to carry out professional development throughout your career, which can include training in IT and foreign languages. Following this, you'll usually change roles every three to four years. The ability to take on new information and deal with different situations is important for work both in the UK and overseas.If you've entered through the Civil Service Fast Stream programme, your first three years in the FCO will be clearly structured. About . You'll also have the opportunity to influence international and diplomatic development.Tasks vary depending on where you're working. Other benefits may include professional qualifications, language learning opportunities, flexible working, season ticket loans, access to sports and social activities, and child care assistance. Average salary (a year) £25,000 Starter What do I need to do to become a diplomatic service officer? Salary. Location. For those posted overseas, benefits may include hardship allowances for posts where living conditions are considered difficult, education allowances for children, travel expenses and rent-free accommodation.You're likely to work a standard working week. Your career will be made up of a combination of overseas postings and work in London. For entry on to the If you're an existing civil servant, you can apply without a degree.The selection process begins with two online questionnaires (situational judgement and behavioural), an e-tray exercise testing your decision-making skills and a video interview. However, opportunities are also available to work on information, political and commercial projects.As your career progresses, you could choose to focus your skills either on a particular region of the world or on a particular area of work, such as bilateral work, multilateral work, consular support, project management or media and communications.Promotion depends on merit, individual performance and the availability of posts. Diplomatic Service officers help to promote and protect British interests, businesses and citizens overseas. Learning on the job is an important part of developing your knowledge of the way the Diplomatic Service operates. When planning overseas postings, you'll be able to state your preferences against a list of available roles, and the FCO will try to match your request with the needs of the office.With more than 270 diplomatic posts in 168 countries and territories throughout the world, the scope for postings is broad. These opportunities are usually aimed at students from backgrounds under-represented in the FCO, for example the As a diplomatic service officer you'll be employed by the FCO, which is based in London and has a network of more than 270 diplomatic posts in 168 countries and territories.Around one third of FCO staff are based in the UK, and work in the UK and postings overseas. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) work at home and overseas to safeguard Britain’s national security and build Britain’s prosperity, as well as support British citizens overseas. The other two thirds are employed locally by a British Diplomatic mission overseas (embassies, consulates or high commissions). It can take two or three attempts to succeed.For details of current recruitment policy, including recruitment freezes, see As civil servants are politically impartial, you'll also need to show qualities such as integrity, honesty and objectivity.Although pre-entry experience is isn't essential, any experience that shows you have skills in project management, contract management, accountancy, economics and managing change will be useful.The FCO offers a range of paid work experience opportunities each year.