Consular and Crisis Officer

Job summary

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office pursues our national interests and projects the UK’s role 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 employ more than 17,000 staff in 179 countries and territories, across our diplomatic and development offices worldwide, which consists of 282 officially designated Posts. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street, London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and in Milton Keynes.

Job description

The Consular and Crisis Directorate is responsible for assisting and supporting British nationals abroad as well as coordinating the FCDO’s response to international crises.

British nationals may require our help overseas for several reasons, including loss of their passport, hospitalisation or arrest, someone’s death or during a crisis. Our work touches the lives of British people in difficult and sometimes extreme circumstances; it constitutes a vital public service and is one of the few ways the public interact directly with the FCDO.

You will join FCDO as permanent staff and work in Consular & Crisis Directorate for a minimum of three years. You will begin with a two-year role in one of the Directorate’s four departments: Strategy and Network (SND), Consular Assistance (CAD), Consular Services (CSD) or Crisis Management (CMD). This placement will be followed by a third year in a different team/department within the Directorate. At some point during these three years, we intend that you will have the opportunity to undertake a familiarisation visit to one of our posts overseas.

All available roles are generalist, entry-level positions that will give you a grounding in the various aspects of Consular and Crisis work including policy, operational delivery, and corporate strategy (see below). Your assigned placement will be made according to business need, and we are unable to accommodate candidate preferences for particular roles.

Overview of Departments

• Strategy and Network Department (SND) sets the consular strategy for the FCDO and oversees the global consular network. Leading on travel advice and prevention, customer insight and experience, and engagement and learning, SND also manages the corporate operation of the Directorate.
• Consular Assistance Department (CAD) deals directly with the public, providing assistance to British nationals abroad and their families in the UK, through a combination of case management, policy development, and specialist support.
• The Global Response Centre (GRC), within CAD, operates 24/7 and monitors worldwide events for FCDO, dealing with urgent calls from British Nationals and breaking crises that occur out of hours and at weekends. Staff work a shift system and receive additional shift disturbance payments for working outside standard hours. GRC roles are challenging and rewarding but shift work does not suit everyone and demands that such roles are only open to those for whom London is their home location. Please indicate in your personal statement if shift work appeals to you.
• Consular Services Department (CSD) provides British people with excellent 24/7 consular services. CSD ​takes responsibility for those services which British people abroad can access directly (by phone or online), whether a consular section is open or not.
• Crisis Management Department (CMD) coordinates FCDO’s response to international crises. To do this effectively, CMD develops crisis policy for HQ and all our posts overseas and ensures best practice by assessing risk, planning and training, and exercising HQ and Posts, working with our network of Regional Crisis Advisors. CMD staff automatically join a crisis roster. When on call, you must be able to get to the Crisis Centre in King Charles Street within two hours of being called up in the event of a crisis. As such, CMD roles can only be done from London in line with FCDO’s Hybrid Working Policy.

The FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as necessary.

Wherever you are placed, all Consular and Crisis officers will be asked to assist in FCDO’s response to international crises when they occur. Staff not in CMD are requested to join the Directorate Crisis List (DCL) and will also be able to apply to join the London Response Team (LRT) or the Rapid Deployment Team (RDT).

During a crisis response, you may work outside of core hours as part of a shift system, including weekends, for which a Crisis Disturbance Payment is paid and/or time off in lieu, accordingly. CMD staff and those who join the LRT or RDT are required to be on-call, for which an on-call allowance is paid. You will be given training and support to ensure you can operate effectively and contribute to the FCDO crisis response.

You will be working in a high-profile and dynamic environment, amongst friendly and supportive colleagues with a keen sense of team spirit and a creative work ethos. We pride ourselves on our innovative approach to, and high standard of, service delivery.

Wellbeing, Learning and Development

Consular and Crisis works involves helping British people during challenging times, which can be emotionally demanding. The level of public contact varies across roles. Although the work can be challenging, our teams find it deeply rewarding and take great pride in helping those in need.

We take staff wellbeing seriously and have a dedicated support package in place, to help staff manage the challenges of their roles. This includes our Wellbeing Supervision Programme, Learning and Development opportunities, and proactive line management.

As part of Consular and Crisis Directorate, you will be encouraged and supported to pursue Learning and Development opportunities by a collegiate, diverse and friendly team.

Roles and Responsibilities

These roles could include a mixture of the following tasks:

• Supporting senior leaders to develop and implement consular and crisis strategy and policy as well as overseeing the corporate operation and business management of the Directorate.
• Working with internal and external stakeholders to publish Travel Advice and prevent consular cases, and delivering learning and training based on feedback and insight.
• Managing consular casework, being the point of contact for family and friends of British nationals in distress overseas, engaging with them empathically.
• Delivering consular assistance policy on key issues such as child abduction, forced marriage, and prisoner welfare.
• Supporting the policy and operation of our digital 24/7 Consular Services.
• Briefing and corresponding with Parliament and Ministers on consular cases.
• Leading logistical and operational elements of crisis response, ensuring that crisis teams are rostered for on-call and shifts and providing crisis training and exercising.
• Developing proactive and reactive crisis policy and working with posts overseas to assess crisis risk, providing advice and support when crises happen. Direct support to Posts on all risks planning as well as more intensive contingency planning for high-risk and high-profile Posts and Regions.

FCDO Consular and Crisis Directorate Engagement Session – Friday 20th February 2026

This virtual session aims to engage potential applicants by providing an insight into the Directorate. It is also an opportunity to hear from recent joiners to FCDO through previous Consular and Crisis EO recruitment campaigns and to ask any questions you might have.

Participation in the engagement session is not assessed as part of the recruitment process.

The session will take place virtually on MS Teams on Friday 20th February from 11:00 to 12:00 UK GMT. Please join on the day using this link.

Person specification

You must be a British Citizen at the time of application and, if invited to interview, you will need to bring proof of identity (British Passport/Driving Licence etc.) with you.

This role requires you to attain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.

For more information about this process, click here. Attaining DV will require you to have been resident in the UK for five of the last ten years. At least one year of this must have been a consecutive twelve-month period. Serving overseas with HM Forces, in some other official capacity as a representative of His Majesty’s Government or having lived overseas as a result of your parents’ or partner’s Government employment counts as UK residency for the purposes of security clearances.

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

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing, with empathy and respect, whilst using the appropriate channel for the audience.
• Ability to handle challenging, emotive conversations with confidence and sensitivity and respond constructively and objectively.
• Ability to work accurately and flexibly at pace to tight deadlines and changing priorities, maintaining a positive attitude and focus on achieving outcomes despite any setbacks.
• Ability to work as part of a team, and with stakeholders, to understand their needs and expectations, contributing to an inclusive environment where all opinions are listened to and individual needs are considered.
• Proactivity and focus on continuous improvement of self and service, with an appetite to work with others to simplify processes and improve efficiency.
• Competency using IT packages including, Microsoft Office Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, MS teams, and willingness to learn how to use new consular and digital systems.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,500, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes £9,125 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• 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.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Ability and Experience.

This vacancy uses the Success Profiles Framework and will assess your Behaviours, Experience, and Ability.

Please see the ‘Hints and Tips’ that are provided for your information about how to prepare Behaviour examples at the Application and/or Interview stage.

Application Stage

You will be required to complete the following as part of the online application:

• Civil Service Verbal Test
• Civil Service Numerical Test

If you successfully pass these tests, you will be invited to complete:

• A CV detailing your career history (including any relevant qualifications). CVs will be assessed against the Minimum Criteria outlined in the Person Specification section below.
• A Personal Statement of 500 words explaining how you consider your skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with specific reference to the Minimum Criteria. These responses will be explored further during the interview process for shortlisted candidates.

The Behaviours you will be assessed on at the application stage are as follows:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

IMPORTANT: If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme and require Reasonable Adjustments in order to complete your application/online tests, please ensure Government Recruitment Service (GRS) are aware of this on the date of application and certainly by the closing date.

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift by a Lead Behaviour. For this campaign we will be prioritising Communicating and Influencing. Only candidates who meet the minimum standard in this Behaviour will have the rest of their application fully assessed.

Interview Stage

At the start of your interview, you will be asked a non-assessed warm-up question about your motivation for applying for the role.

Candidates will be given a scenario which will evaluate how they work under pressure as a team. No prior knowledge of Consular and Crisis or FCDO policy is required.

Please note, the interview will not be used to determine your suitability for specific roles but rather your suitability for Consular and Crisis work in general according to the Behaviours below.

The Behaviours you will be assessed on during the interview are as follows:

• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Please note that the FCDO conducts name-blind (anonymised) recruitment to help build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The personal information on your application form and/or CV will be concealed during the sifting phase, and only the names of those who are being invited for interviews will be made known to the panel.

Please see the attached candidate pack for the selection process details.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcdorecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to FCDO from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems reading the Candidate Pack, such as through screen reader software, please contact our Team via fcdorecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk and we will share a Word version of this.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : FCDO Recruitment Team
• Email : fcdorecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : fcdorecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

The FCDO’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should, in the first instance, contact External.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the FCDO, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners.

Attachments

Hints and Tips on Behaviour Examples Opens in new window (pdf, 85kB)2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)Candidate Pack - 434424 EO Consular and Crisis Officers Opens in new window (docx, 285kB)Candidate Pack - 434424 EO Consular and Crisis Officers Opens in new window (pdf, 316kB)