At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert advice on food security and sustainable agriculture policies.
- Company: Join the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, a global leader in diplomatic work.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, Civil Service pension, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and collaboration across diverse teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global food security and improve lives worldwide.
- Qualifications: Strong background in food and agriculture with international experience required.
The predicted salary is between 57500 - 62500 £ per year.
Job Description
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ADVISER
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Reference number: 425018
Location: London or East Kilbride
Total Package: £62,500 (London) £57,500 (East Kilbride) with regular travel to overseas locations
Contract: Permanent and full time. You’ll be required to work in line with FCDO policies on hybrid working, which involves a minimum of 60% in the office.
We lead the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world. We employ around 17,000 staff in our global network of 281 offices worldwide. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street in London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and in Milton Keynes.
Your role with us
Join us as a Food and Agriculture Adviser and you’ll provide flexible, evidence-based advice that helps to inform and develop the FCDO and UK Government’s policy positions. Working on the costing and delivery of our programmes, and with a strong focus on food security and sustainable, inclusive growth, you’ll strengthen the breadth and depth of international food and agriculture work, operating at regional and country level in a range of different contexts, including in Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCAS). Building markets and trading opportunities, reducing humanitarian need, addressing conflict and migration, delivering the climate agenda and protecting natural resources – you’ll focus on all these areas in this challenging and highly rewarding role.
Your exact responsibilities will depend on the specific requirements of the team you join, but typically you’ll provide strong leadership on food, agriculture and livelihood issues, and guide strategic, programmatic and delivery choices designed to maximise our global impact. Using seminars and meetings to champion learning and the use of evidence, we’ll also expect you to foster collaboration on food, agriculture and related areas between policy teams, research teams, regional and country-based teams, and to work on maximising cohesion by taking an inclusive approach to everyone who works in the wider network.
Who we’re looking for
With a track record of delivering expert level outcomes, we’ll expect you to have strong capabilities in the Food and Agriculture Technical Competency Framework across at least 4 of the 5 standard technical competencies, and possess plenty of practical international experience. A proactive self-starter with the skills to manage uncertainty while working at pace, you should also be capable of prioritising multiple demands and producing timely, quality work with focus and enthusiasm.
Ready to communicate your purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm, you’ll be a persuasive influencer and negotiator, and your strong analytical skills will allow you to digest and process information from multiple sources to establish or inform advice and decision making. In addition, your excellent interpersonal skills will see you collaborating and working effectively as a key member of a diverse team, and engaging confidently with other teams and departments in the FCDO, across the UK Government and with our external partners.
You must be a British citizen at the time of your application, and you’ll be required to attain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. Please note that obtaining DV clearance can take approximately three months depending on your individual circumstances. For more information about this process, click here.
We encourage applications from all communities, so that we reflect the very best of 21st century Britain. Everyone here gets the support to develop their skills and capabilities as well as benefits that help to make the most of life in and out of work, including a Civil Service pension.
Use your talent and experience to shape our nation’s future, and deliver tangible improvements to millions of lives, including your own.
Closing date: Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 3rd November 2025.
Food & Agriculture Adviser employer: GOVERNMENT RECRUITMENT SERVICES
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic work environment in London or East Kilbride, where you can make a meaningful impact on global food security and sustainable growth. With a commitment to employee development, a supportive work culture, and the opportunity to engage in international travel, FCDO provides a unique platform for professional growth while contributing to vital humanitarian efforts. Join us to be part of a diverse team dedicated to shaping the future and improving lives worldwide.
Contact Details:
GOVERNMENT RECRUITMENT SERVICES Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Food & Agriculture Adviser
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the food and agriculture sector, especially those connected to the FCDO. Attend relevant events or webinars to make connections and learn more about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on current issues in food security and sustainable agriculture. We want you to showcase your knowledge and passion during those crucial conversations!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Food & Agriculture Adviser, you'll need to influence and persuade. Role-play with friends or colleagues to get comfortable with these scenarios.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Food & Agriculture Adviser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Food & Agriculture Adviser role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Experience:We want to see your practical international experience! Share specific examples of how you've tackled food security and sustainable growth in previous roles. This will help us see your expertise in action.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your skills and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there.
How to prepare for a job interview at GOVERNMENT RECRUITMENT SERVICES
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the Food and Agriculture Technical Competency Framework. Familiarise yourself with the key issues in food security, sustainable growth, and how they relate to international contexts, especially in Fragile and Conflict Affected States. This will show that you're not just interested but also knowledgeable about the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your practical international experience in detail. Think of specific examples where you've successfully influenced policy or delivered outcomes in food and agriculture. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since the role involves providing strong leadership, be ready to talk about times when you've led a team or project. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and inclusivity, as these are key aspects of the job. Share how you’ve navigated challenges and motivated others to achieve common goals.
✨Communicate with Clarity
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. The interviewers will be looking for your ability to communicate purpose and direction effectively. Consider doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to refine your delivery and ensure you come across as a persuasive influencer.
