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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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About the job
Job summary
This is a high-profile and challenging leadership role at the heart of the UKs foreign and security policy machine. The successful candidate will be responsible for the delivery of UK policy for the FCDO response to Russias invasion of Ukraine, and for Eastern Europe and Central Asia policy. The Director General is also responsible, globally, for issues relating to:
- defence and international security;
- national security and intelligence;
- information threats;
- crisis preparedness and;
- consular services.
The DG also acts as the Foreign Secretarys most senior adviser on the most sensitive intelligence issues, including in supporting him to fulfil his responsibilities for the agencies. The postholder is the FCDO member of the cross-departmental committee that advises the Prime Minister on the UKs nuclear deterrent and the FCDOs principal member of the Joint Intelligence Committee.
As a Board member, the job holder will be part of the FCDOs corporate leadership responsible for ensuring the health of the department and that it meets the foreign and development policy objectives of Ministers.
Overall you will be responsible for five directorates (and eight Directors) across the UK totalling around 850 staff, including several joint units across Whitehall; diplomatic posts overseas – in Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia and the UK Delegation to NATO; and budgets, including programme funds, of just under c.£0.5bn.
Job description
Policy/delivery oversight of the following Directorates;
- National Security counter-terrorism, state threats, cyber, investment security and intelligence policy;
- Defence and International Security security policy, defence and security partnerships (including AUKUS), and a number of joint units (Euro-Atlantic Security Policy, Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre, Export Control Joint Unit);
- Consular and crisis management responsibility for the FCDO’s 900 strong global consular network, including two global hubs, the crisis response centre and the FCDO’s 24/7 London-based Global Response Centre; and the departments wider crises preparedness and response capability;
- Information Threats and Influence responding to and countering disinformation, propaganda and information manipulation threats by of hostile actors globally;
- Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia including leading the FCDOs wider response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.
- FCDO Board member: The DG will be expected to contribute collegiately to the strategic management of the FCDO at home and overseas through the Management Board and Executive Committee. This involves engaging with and shaping the corporate issues of the day and the opportunities and challenges facing the organisation, as well as the biggest strategic policy issues. The DG is also a member of the Senior Leadership Board, the selection panel for the FCDOs most senior appointments (SCS2 and above). Like other Board members, the DG needs to communicate effectively with staff on these subjects, to be a visible leader of the FCDO and to champion the Departments agenda both internally and externally.
- Building capability: The DG is also expected to dedicate time to build the capability of the FCDO and wider organisation. This can take a variety of forms masterclasses, capability development, mentoring etc.
In addition to the above, the current DG has various ad hominem roles and we would expect the new DG to take on at least some of these roles
- Cross HMG SRO for implementation of the Integrated Review on (i) Russia, (ii) Strategic Stability, and (iii) counter-proliferation and arms control;
- Trustee of the British Council;
- Board Champion for Well-being and Mental Health.
Person specification
Benefits
£34,290 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Civil Service recruitment processes at Director General level are regulated by the Civil Service Commission, and we follow clear guidelines to ensure that our recruitment is fair and open. We also design our recruitment processes to reflect our values-based approach to HR (using staff engagement panels, for example) and to ensure that shortlisted candidates have the opportunity to meet key stakeholders for the role, before they join us.
We expect the process for this role to be as follows:
- The closing date for applications will be 23:55 on Sunday 8 October 2023
- A shortlist of the applications will take place during the week commencing 9 October
- Between 16 30 October, shortlisted candidates will then:
- Participate in a staff engagement panel with a selection of people from across the department
- Undergo an Individual Leadership Assessment (ILA)
- Meet with key stakeholders, potentially including the Foreign Secretary
- Undergo a TMS Team Management Profile
- Inputs from all of those steps will then form the basis of a panel interview, chaired by Lea Paterson from the Civil Service Commission during the week commencing 6 November.
Other panel members at the interview will include but may not be limited to Philip Barton, the Permanent Under-Secretary, FCDO; Madeleine Alessandri, the Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee and; Beverley Tew, the interim lead non-executive director, FCDO.
Full details will be provided to shortlisted candidates and recognising that there are a number of steps in the process, we will do our best to arrange the sessions in a way that works for you. We expect that this process will be conducted in face-to-face sessions, but if you need any adjustments do let us know.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Sarah Vale
- Email : sarah.vale@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : sarah.vale@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
