Form

Working for the FCDO on loan from elsewhere in government

Updated 9 August 2023

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) positions, advertised to permanent civil servants from other government departments, are offered on a loan basis.

If Human Resources Directorate (HRD) offer you a position, you will need to provide written confirmation from your home department that they are content to release you for the duration of the loan.

This is a mandatory requirement and must be provided before the loan process can progress. If this is not received by HRD, the offer of appointment will be withdrawn.

Who to contact

If you have queries about individual jobs, contact the hiring manager. If you have queries about the recruitment process contact HRDirectUK@fcdo.gov.uk.

Terms and conditions

Candidates will be on loan for the length of tour specified, including leave, in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Code. Candidates will transfer to FCDO terms and conditions of service for the period of the loan. If the tour length of the position is more than 6 months, successful candidates will also be transferred onto FCDO payroll.

Promotion

If you apply for a job on temporary promotion, you will be offered the position at the grade it was advertised and any necessary adjustments will be made to your pay. Whether the temporary promotion is recognised by your parent department on your return from loan, or whether you will revert to your substantive grade on return, is at the discretion of your parent department.

Salary and allowances

If you have any question about what your salary or allowance will be on joining the FCDO, contact HRDirectUK@fcdo.gov.uk.

Performance management

During the period of the loan, your performance will be assessed using FCDO processes.

Security clearance

All appointments in the FCDO are made subject to the successful candidate securing the necessary security clearance as advertised on the job profile. Clearance, once granted, can later be withdrawn if, for example, conduct, personal behaviour or other personal circumstances cast doubt upon your reliability, integrity or honesty. If you are successfully appointed to a role, further information on the security clearance procedure will be sent to you.

• SC (security check) clearance can take around 1 to 2 months
• if a new DV (developed vetting) application is required, this will be a minimum of 4 months to process from receipt of your completed security clearance forms

For DV applications you must have been resident in the UK for at least 5 of the previous 10 years immediately prior to your application, at least 1 year of which must have been a consecutive twelve month period (unless you have served overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government, or have lived overseas as a result of your parents’ or partner’s government employment). A lack of sufficient background information may prevent you from being granted security clearance.

You are required to hold British nationality. If you hold dual nationality (you are a British citizen and also a national of another country) this should not preclude you from joining. It is your responsibility to check whether this places any personal, financial or other obligation on you if are applying for a role in, or related to, the other country whose nationality you hold.

If you do not get the required level of security clearance, the job offer will be withdrawn.