Location
Overseas - we expect to have roles arising (within 12 months of the interviews) in the following locations: Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tajikistan, Zambia.
About the job
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
About FCDO and the Advisory Cadres
World-leading technical and analytical capability is central to FCDO’s mission. FCDO’s 900-plus Experts (often known as Advisers) – both Home Civil Servants (HCS) and Country Based Staff (CBS) - embody these capabilities, playing a key role in the delivery of the UK’s international objectives. Our advisers span 12 specialisms. They work in the UK and in-country where they influence national policy and development agendas and support delivery of goals and, at regional and global levels, shape global policies. They do so by their inter-disciplinary thinking and ‘brokering’ skills, their high-quality, evidence-based strategic analysis and advice and their own thought leadership. Experts have strong links with specialist networks, research organisations, related government departments and professional bodies in the UK and globally.
The twelve cadres are: Health, Humanitarian, Conflict, Climate, Environment, Infrastructure and Energy, Food and Agriculture, Education, Governance, Social Development, Climate and Environment, Private Sector Development, Economics, Evaluation and Statistics.
As well as expertise in a specific field, advisers may have team leader or other management responsibilities. Advisers are expected to commit up to 10% of their time to supporting activities outside their immediate responsibilities, e.g. assisting other overseas networks with strategy development, programme reviews or policy formulation. As such, they provide a valuable internal consultancy service in FCDO.
Main Purpose of Job
Education Advisers provide evidence-based expert advice to inform and develop FCDO and wider UK Government (HMG) policy positions, diplomacy, and the design, costing and delivery of FCDO programmes.
They work at headquarters, regional and country level in a range of different contexts, including Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCAS) to ensure crisis-affected children and youth access quality education.
They advise on policy and programme engagement tailored to the context - whether the response is host-Government or international agency-led.
Education Advisers also provide cross cutting support within FCDO interdisciplinary teams and collaborate with Other Government Departments (OGDs) to ensure a coherent approach to the UK Government’s support to education in low and lower-middle income countries.
Roles and Responsibilities
Education Advisers fulfil their role by:
- Supplying high quality technical expertise to support and guide FCDO’s education ambitions including through the design of education strategies, plans, policies, programmes, rules, and guidance.
- Being a strong partner to the Girls’ Education Department and wider Education, Gender and Equality (EdGE) Directorate in delivering the UK’s international education ambitions.
- Drawing on the best available evidence (and commissioning research where necessary), consulting with other specialisms or sources of knowledge.
- Tailoring education interventions to the development aspirations of partner countries in ways that are consistent with UK and international commitments and ambitions.
- Integrating education issues across FCDO/HMG’s work at all levels and in all sectors, as relevant, advising on possible risks, opportunities and solutions within policies and programmes.
- Supporting a joined-up UK Education offer in the UK and overseas, as appropriate.
- Promoting and championing education achievements, learning and development and professional excellence.
- Ensuring their skillset remains relevant through continual learning and professional development.
- Developing strong partnerships and relationships with partner governments and bilateral and multilateral partners, establishing trust and reliability, and representing the UK Government in external fora.
- Using all available UK levers: design, delivery, and appraisal of development policy and ODA programme interventions; design and implementation of trade and diplomacy measures; maximising use of diplomatic networks and relationships; influencing across HMG; and facilitating bilateral, regional, and multilateral agreements and negotiations.
Overseas Education Adviser roles are challenging and fast-paced and offer unique opportunities to work with national and international partners to make a sustainable difference to children’s lives.
Successful candidates will join an Education Cadre of around 70 dynamic, highly experienced and motivated professionals who collaborate closely in the delivery of FCDO’s education objectives.
Candidate Engagement Calls
We will be running two 45-minute Candidate Engagement Calls on Wednesday 16th April and Thursday 24th April. During the calls, you will have the opportunity to ask any further questions about this job and, in more general terms, about the role of Education Advisers. Please do come along if of interest, both sessions will cover the same areas so you will only need to join one.
You can join the call on Wednesday 16th April at 13:00-13:45 BST HERE and you can join the call on Thursday 24th April at 11:00-11:45 BST HERE
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.
FCDO may exceptionally consider applicants who narrowly miss the required UK footprint for DV clearance, although this may limit the locations or types of role candidates can be offered.
It is essential in your application that you provide evidence and proven examples in each of the following Minimum Criteria and Technical Skills 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
- Demonstrable track record of delivering education outcomes at Expert Level through strong capability in the Education Technical Competency Framework across the five technical competencies. Please note that the Education systems competency should be based on significant relevant* experience in a low- or lower-middle income country.
*Relevant experience is defined as international work experience of direct relevance to the competency.
- Self-starter who is proactive and able to manage uncertainty.
- Strong communication and influencing skills. Communicates purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm.
- Strong analytical skills. Ability to digest and process information from multiple sources to establish or inform advice and/or decision making.
- Effective Interpersonal skills to collaborate and work effectively within a diverse team, and to engage confidently with other Teams and Departments within FCDO, across HMG, and with external partners.
- Ability to work at pace. Prioritise multiple demands and take responsibility for timely and quality work with focus and enthusiasm
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Seeing the Big Picture
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Education Policy
- Education Systems
- The global education system and its institutions
- Education, equity and inclusion
- Evidence, research and innovation
- Presentation
- Written Assessment
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- Education Policy
- Education Systems
- The global education system and its institutions
- Education, equity and inclusion
- Evidence, research and innovation
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £55,500, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes £16,078 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.
· 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
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
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 with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences. If there is any evidence of plagiarism, including presenting the ideas and experience of others as your own, your application will be withdrawn.
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/Access NI 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
For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply, but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
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 the Civil 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
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(pdf, 85kB)2025-03-28 - Overseas Education Adviser - Candidate Pack
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(pdf, 350kB)Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V15) 2025-02-17 revised
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(pdf, 489kB)
This position was originally posted by FCDO and has been curated by PurposePhil Career. To apply, please visit the original listing on the "apply" link below. We are not affiliated with the employer organization of this job ad or consultancy, and provide this curated listing as a service to our users.
