Chief People Officer

As the FCDO Chief People Officer (CPO) you will provide compelling professional leadership to the FCDO People function, whose purpose is to drive diplomatic, consular and development excellence through investing in our people.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you are joining the FCDO at a pivotal time as we drive forward the FCDO 2030 reform plan and the Government’s Plan for Change. The Plan for Change will transform the Civil Service in support of a productive and agile state. FCDO 2030 will ensure that the department is structured and enabled to deliver for the future.

As CPO you will play a key role in shaping the FCDOs future operating model and workforce strategy, ensuring that we can attract and retain talent and that we have the resources, capabilities and culture to maximise delivery now and in future. You will be directly accountable for people transformation work in FCDO including organisational design, HR systems architecture and HR policy.

You will lead a team of functional experts and be accountable for the design and delivering of an efficient and high-quality People function, building a diverse and motivated workforce to deliver the people strands of the organisation’s strategy and objectives of the FCDO 2030 reform plan – ensuring that the function can respond to business needs and can adapt and flex accordingly.

As a member of the FCDO Leadership cadre you will play a key and active role in the wider corporate leadership of the FCDO, and across the Civil Service.

You will lead the International People Board and action across the Government People Group to support delivery of HMGs objectives overseas through the workforce, working with partners across government.

• You will lead the FCDO people function globally, ensuring that the organisation has the right people with the right skills in the right place now and in future – and continues to build capability, attract, retain and develop the best talent.
• This will be achieved through the use of technology and data to design and deliver the best possible workforce strategy for the future.
• Working with FCDO leadership to implement measures and enable a culture which leads the FCDO to promote and support a diverse workforce at all levels.
• Working closely with FCDO 2030 Director to support the delivery of the strategic vision and change programme for the future of the Department.
• Shaping and implementing the FCDO people strategy for over 17,500 staff globally.
• Using HR levers, leadership and expertise to drive a high performance culture where delivery of the UK interest is clearly measured and rewarded.
• Working in partnership with the Government Chief People Officer and Senior HR leaders across government to shape and deliver the people agenda for the Civil Service.
• Providing strategic leadership of resources and managing a Directorate accountable for approximately £200m.
• Resource management for teams and staff across the UK and the overseas network.
• Championing operational excellence in the FCDO HR function, ensuring the right capabilities are developed, and a high-quality service and advice is delivered.
• Member of FCDO Executive level boards, as well as several cross Whitehall bodies as part of Government People Group.

• Demonstrated success in a senior HR leadership role, leading large teams through complexity with clarity and humanity, ideally in an international context.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development or a commitment to securing the qualification.
• Experience of designing and implementing innovative strategic workforce plans and delivering large scale transformation.
• Focusing on delivering at pace through times of ambiguity, prioritising the employee experience and culture.
• Excellent judgement and political acumen with an understanding of the wider government priorities and changing context.
• Ability to support senior decision making through assessing and anticipating risk and complex policies to facilitate business delivery.
• Ability to establish credibility quickly with a diverse network of stakeholders including up to Board level and provide effective advice.
• Demonstrated through a track record of successful influencing, negotiating, managing and delivering through stakeholders and partnerships.

• A deep technical knowledge of foreign policy, developmental issues and wider Government priorities is not critical; however, an interest and an aptitude for learning will be key.
• Experience of operating in an international organisation.
• Holder of Fellowship of CIPD.

• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development or a commitment to securing the qualification.
• Relevant and comparable experience will be considered.

Alongside your salary of £98,000, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes £28,390 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously, and want to enable you to build a really successful career with the Department and wider Civil Service. It is crucial that our employees have the right skills to develop their careers and meet the challenges ahead. You’ll benefit from a wide range of training and development opportunities, regular performance and development reviews to ensure this development is ongoing.

• 25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service.
• A competitive contributory pension scheme.
• Generous paid maternity and paternity leave.
• Interest-free loans for travel season tickets or bicycles.
• Access to onsite facilities including fitness centres and staff canteens.
• Occupational sick pay.

To apply, please submit your application online through the Civil Service Jobs portal no later than 23:55 Thursday 12 June 2025.

Your CV, with educational and professional qualifications and full employment history, including an explanation of any gaps in your employment history, and details where possible of budgets and numbers of people.

A Statement of Suitability of no more than 1250 words explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the criteria in the Person Specification.

Failure to submit both portions of the online application form (CV and Statement of Suitability) will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

If you are successful at the application stage, you will be invited to attend a panel interview chaired by Lea Paterson, Civil Service Commissioner, in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

The Interview Process Will Include:

• A role specific exercise prior to interview.
• A presentation to the interview panel.
• Opportunity to speak to key stakeholders/leaders from the FCDO prior to the final interview.

Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process.

• Expected sift date: w/c 23rd June 2025
• Expected interview date: w/c 7th July 2025

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 as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Please note that the successful candidate will need to hold, or be prepared to apply for, Developed Vetting (DV) level.

Any move to FCDO from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles.

This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

Nationality requirements: Open to UK nationals only.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.