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Additional Information
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Diplomatic and
Development
scheme

Scheme duration

5 years

Location

London and Glasgow (followed by an overseas placement – in years 3-5).

Scheme overview

A fascinating, fast paced, and rewarding career at the centre of world events.

Who is the scheme suitable for

The world is constantly changing, your time on the Fast Stream will be shaped to equip you with the skills and experience needed for a successful, internationally focussed career in leadership and management roles. 

You will need to be flexible with a willingness to be fully mobile within the UK and overseas whilst on the scheme. No two fast streamers will share the same career path: while each role undertaken will require different skills to succeed, all roles will provide exposure to a wide range of opportunities.

You’ll have the opportunity to formulate and implement policy, engage with key stakeholders and build a portfolio of skills in both international development and diplomacy. The Fast Stream will equip you for a challenging and rewarding career in the Civil Service.

All Diplomatic and Development fast streamers must be granted ‘Developed Vetting’ (DV) security clearance before starting. For DV clearance, you need to have lived in the UK for 5 of the last 10 years, including a consecutive 12-month period. Security clearance relies on assurance checks that can only be carried out in the UK – which is why a sufficient UK footprint is a mandatory requirement.

You can also apply for the Diplomatic and Development Economics scheme, providing you meet the eligibility criteria.

Entry requirements

  • British citizen (those with dual nationality may apply)
  • resided in the UK for at least 5 of the previous 10 years, including a consecutive 12-month period
  • you need to hold (or expect to achieve) a 2:2 degree, degree apprenticeship or higher in any subject
  • existing civil servants can apply without a degree

The benefits you’ll enjoy

You’ll have a unique opportunity to work on issues that really matter across the UK and globally. The scheme provides the ideal foundation for promotion and long term career progression.

Joining the FCDO as a permanent employee, you’ll have access to a range of benefits including the Civil Service Pension Scheme, recognised language qualifications, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, childcare assistance, diversity support/networks/forums and more. 

Demystifying the Diplomatic and Development scheme

Supporting your learning

You will benefit from a tailored Fast Stream training programme focussed on leadership skills and extending your knowledge of diplomatic tradecraft and international development. This will include the core Civil Service Fast Stream learning, alongside Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office specific learning to develop your international capability. 

The programme is designed to give you the core knowledge and skills to get your career off to the best start. You will also have access to mentoring, work shadowing opportunities and on-the-job training.

Our focus throughout the Fast Stream is to prepare you with the skills needed to make a valuable contribution to the work across the Civil Service, which is of global importance and impacts the lives of millions of people.

Jack talks about his experience on the Diplomatic and Development scheme, and why he chose to apply.

Read Jack’s story

“It is a privilege to look at the news and know that you are working first hand on a policy area.”

Diplomatic and Development fast streamer

Diplomatic and Development fast streamer, Ali

About the scheme

This is an exciting time to be joining the Diplomatic and Development Fast Stream, at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). 

The FCDO’s purpose is to lead the government’s diplomatic, development and consular work in the UK and across 165+ countries and territories.

We seek individuals with a genuine commitment to embrace the new Diplomatic and Development Fast Stream. The scheme is no longer a London only scheme. It is now a five-year scheme, and you will be expected to be fully mobile within the UK (including undertaking placements in both London and Glasgow) and overseas whilst on the scheme.

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 aim to recruit a talented and diverse workforce, which reflects the communities we serve. 

The Civil Service is a diverse organisation with so much to offer individuals seeking an impactful career at the centre of world events. The Fast Stream will support you as you develop the skills and experience needed to flourish in this fast-paced, challenging and rewarding environment.

Scheme placement details

The Diplomatic and Development Fast Stream is a five year scheme. We look for agile and flexible individuals with a willingness to be fully mobile within the UK and overseas whilst on the scheme.

Show more

Your first placement will have a duration of 12 months and will be based in the UK. This means you could be deployed into a role in either of our headquarters in London or Glasgow. In 2025, the headquarters in East Kilbride will be moving to a central Glasgow location. 

You will typically start in a policy role. Strong policy skills underpin all the work carried out in the FCDO. Roles may include being desk officer for a specific country, or policy lead on a thematic issue such as human rights or counter-terrorism.

Your second placement will also have a duration of 12 months and will be based in the UK. Like your first placement, you could be deployed into a role in either of our headquarters in London or Glasgow.

You will typically undertake an operational role. These roles may include working in a Ministerial Private Office, the media office, or the Consular department.

Alternatively, you could take up the challenge of applying for an overseas role that requires you to learn a language during your second year, such as Mandarin or Arabic.

Fast streamers will undertake an overseas posting in Years Three to Five. The FCDO has a worldwide network covering 165+ countries with a wide variety of roles across these regions. We provide language training for any overseas roles where this is required. As a member of the Diplomatic and Development Fast Stream, you must be prepared to go to any appropriate post in the overseas network to which you are appointed.

When allocating overseas roles, we will take account of your preferences and personal circumstances but cannot guarantee that you will be deployed to your preferred post.

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