Chief People Officer

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; London; On-site; GBP 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office seeks a Chief People Officer to lead its People function and drive strategic workforce initiatives. This high-profile role involves shaping the future operating model and ensuring the organization attracts and retains top talent. The successful candidate will provide leadership in HR transformation and be accountable for a £200m Directorate, playing a key role in the FCDO's 2030 reform plan.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Generous paid maternity and paternity leave

Interest-free loans for travel or bicycles

Onsite fitness centres and staff canteens

Occupational sick pay

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior HR leadership roles.
• Experience in designing strategic workforce plans.
• Ability to lead large teams through complexity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the FCDO people function globally.
• Implement measures to promote a diverse workforce.
• Shape and implement the FCDO people strategy for over 17,500 staff.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

HR Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Cultural Awareness

Education

Membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Job description

London

Job Summary

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.

Job Description

This is a high-profile leadership role, leading a complex portfolio that is essential to the experience of our people and delivery of the government mission globally.

Key Responsibilities:

• 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.
  
  

This is a high-profile leadership role, leading a complex portfolio that is essential to the experience of our people and delivery of the government mission globally.

Key Responsibilities:

• 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.
  
  

Person specification

Working at the FCDO will be the most challenging and rewarding time of your career. We want to be the best diplomatic and development ministry in the world, with jobs that are the envy of Whitehall and the rest of the world.

We aim to recruit and retain the best people; those that are delivery focused and have a strong track record in high impact outcomes. The Civil Service is open to talented people from any career background; we will always seek to identify transferable skills from the individual’s experience. It is important that in your application you provide evidence and examples of proven experience of these selection criteria. These responses will be developed and discussed with candidates invited to interview. It is important, that through your CV and supporting statement, that you provide evidence of the following;

Essential Criteria:

• 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. Relevant and comparable experience will be considered.
• 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.
  
  

Desirable Criteria:

• 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.
  
  

Qualifications

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. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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. As a Civil Service employee, you’ll be entitled to a large range of benefits.

This Includes:

• 25 days annual leave on entry, increasing on a sliding scale to 30 days after 5 years’ service. This is in addition to 9 public and privilege holidays per year;
• A competitive contributory pension scheme that you can enter as soon as you join where we will make a significant contribution to the cost of your pension; where your contributions come out of your salary before any tax is taken; and where your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire;
• Generous paid maternity and paternity leave which is notably more than the statutory minimum offered by many other employers;
• Interest-free loans allowing you to spread the cost of an annual travel season ticket or a new bicycle;
• The opportunity to use onsite facilities including fitness centres and staff canteens (where applicable); and
• Occupational sick pay.
  
  

Selection process details

Application

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.

Should you encounter any issues with your online application please get in touch with us via: [e-mail]

Assessment

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. We will be assessing against the success profile Experience at interview.

The Interview Process Will Include:

• A role specific exercise prior to interview.
• A presentation to the interview panel.
  
  

You may also have the opportunity to speak to key stakeholders/leaders from the FCDO prior to the final interview to learn more about the role and organisation. Please note this is not part of the formal assessment process.

Full details of the assessment process will be made available to shortlisted candidates.

Expected timeline (subject to change)

Expected sift date: w/c 23rd June 2025

Expected interview date: w/c 7th July 2025

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 at: [e-mail] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
• Complete the ‘assistance required’ section in the ‘personal information’ page of your application form to provide information we should be aware of that will enable us to support you further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
  
  

Reserve lists

If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies in the Civil Service requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without the need for a new competition.

Further Information

Please note that the successful candidate will need to hold, or be prepared to apply for, Developed Vetting (DV) level. Further details can be found at United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You will need to have been resident in the UK for 5 out of the last 10 years. See further details in the attached candidate information pack.

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

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.

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 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 [e-mail] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

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.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact: [e-mail]

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

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.

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.

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).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

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 : GRS SCS Recruitment Team
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Civil Service Commission Selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles, our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of appointment on the basis of merit by fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact; [e-mail]

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at [e-mail] and more information can be found at www.civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk