General and Lead Non-Executive Directors – Foreign Commonwealth & Development OfficeClosed 

• Support the Foreign Secretary to examine and challenge the operational delivery of policy proposals, major projects and programmes, strategic and organisational issues.
• Work with the Permanent Under-Secretaries, Directors General and senior leaders to scrutinise the Department’s management information, to ensure that performance and delivery of the Department’s key objectives are ambitious and achievable.
• Bring an independent perspective to the work of the FCDO Board (usually held at FCDO’s headquarters in central London), as well as providing independent scrutiny for the Department upon request.
• Upholding the standards of conduct set out in the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s Seven Principles of Public Life and adhere to the Code of Conduct for board members of public bodies.

[For Lead NED]

• Direct a team of other NEDs to provide collective strategic leadership and objective challenge on key issues facing the department.
• The Lead NED may also be asked to join the membership of other top-level FCDO governance structures.
• Participate in cross-Government Lead NED governance structures and conferences.

The FCDO delivers for the UK internationally, leading the government’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world.

Our aim is to make a positive difference in a troubled and uncertain world, to make the UK more secure and more prosperous. We use all our levers, expertise and the diverse skills of our people to take the long view, investing effectively in enduring relationships and acting with agility in response to evolving priorities and emerging risks. We continue to position the UK as a responsible, reliable and effective international actor and partner, investing in the global relationships we need for the long term.

We have five priorities that drive the work of the Department:

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 our joint headquarters: King Charles Street, London and Abercrombie House, East Kilbride, and we have staff based in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes. We are supported by 12 agencies and public bodies.

The FCDO Supervisory Board (chaired by the Foreign Secretary) provides strategic direction, oversight, support and challenge, to encourage the long-term health, reputation and success of the FCDO. Membership comprises the Non-Executive Directors, the Ministerial Team, Permanent Under-Secretaries the Director General for Finance and Corporate and Director Finance. The FCDO’s Management Board, chaired by the Permanent Under-Secretary, takes strategic choices for long-term departmental management where a cross-departmental view, impact or action is required. Non-Executive Directors have an open invitation to attend meetings and support specific pieces of departmental work. Both Boards operate according to the following recognised principles of good corporate governance in business:

This post is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. For more information, please refer to the Commissioner’s website 

• Expertise and insight in one or more of the following areas: technology, economic diplomacy, and public communications; and experience in one or more areas of the UK’s international policy including climate and nature, national security, international development and international relations;
• Strong communication skills, including an ability to offer challenge in a constructive, straightforward and open manner;
• Evidence of strong experience of delivering and embedding strategic initiatives in a large-scale, diverse, international organisation;
• An understanding of the wider environment in which the FCDO operates, including its current strategic and organisational challenges, as well as the wider challenges faced by the public sector;
• An engaging and collaborative working style which is challenging and constructive, including the ability to contribute and inspire confidence with a wide range of FCDO stakeholders, and;
• A strong desire to support the successful delivery of the FCDO’s core agenda and the Foreign Secretary’s priorities.

[For Lead NED]

• Proven senior leadership experience and knowledge of effective governance in global/complex organisations in the private, public or voluntary sectors, with main board-level experience as an executive or non-executive;

We are also looking for experience at board level as a non-executive or executive of an organisation.