London, Milton Keynes or East Kilbride.
You will be required to work from this location in line with FCDO policies on Hybrid Working (minimum 60% in the office).
Job Summary
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office pursues our national interests and projects the UK's role in the world. 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 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 King Charles Street, London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and in Milton Keynes.
Job Description
Main Purpose of Job
The FCDO overseas estate is extensive in size and fire safety provision is managed via a devolved approach. The successful candidate will initially be responsible for leading and conducting a fire safety operating model review for the overseas platform and implementing a new overseas fire safety structure.
As the Overseas Fire Safety subject matter expert within the Estates, Security and Network Department (ESND), you will lead on all aspects of fire policy development across the overseas estate including policy development and operational implementation. You will be required to develop training and awareness campaigns to drive improvements in competence and provide expertise and leadership across the function whilst also proactively working with colleagues at overseas networks to improve operational fire safety.
You will develop assurance reporting processes for improved governance and oversight and lead an overseas fire safety working group to help ensure a communications strategy is delivered through a regional cluster support approach.
Roles And Responsibilities
The successful candidate will:
* Be the subject matter expert on Fire Risk Management across the overseas estate and lead the development and implementation of the new overseas ESND Fire Safety operating model.
* Provide assurance to FCDO that compliance with statutory duties as prescribed in the FCDO policies and relevant legislation (e.g. Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order and Fire Safety England Regulations) are met so far as applicable (noting the legal application of UK legislation overseas is nuanced, however the FCDO approach is to default to this as a core baseline).
* Advise and influence large projects on the overseas estate to embed an ethos of Fire Safety within projects to ensure compliance with the RRFSO and to ensure a smooth project handover.
* Manage the ESND Overseas Fire safety Risk Register to track risk and progress mitigations to an acceptable level of risk, reporting and escalating areas of operational concern.
* Develop and implement fire safety policies and procedures for the overseas estate, liaising with FCDO departments and stakeholders to align with security constraints.
* Support colleagues across the overseas network to understand and address their obligations and duties in accordance with the FCDO fire safety code and help support them whilst they seek to discharge their duty.
* Conduct fire safety inspections and audits to ensure departmental compliance with Health & Safety obligations.
* Work with service delivery partners to ensure contracted duties to manage fire risk is discharged including maintenance, testing, exercise and training.
* Advise on life cycle asset management plans for all fire related life safety systems to ensure continued building functionality and risk mitigation.
* Deliver training on Fire Risks and execution of process for how to respond to various types of emergencies.
* Act as the focal point of escalation for departmental unresolved issues / concerns regarding Fire Safety for the overseas network.
* Investigate and report on all overseas fire safety related events.
Travel to overseas networks will be an important aspect of the role. It is estimated to be one week out of every eight, however the exact frequency and location will be agreed in advance with the Head of Global Building Compliance and Standards and be subject to business requirements.
Main Purpose of Job
The FCDO overseas estate is extensive in size and fire safety provision is managed via a devolved approach. The successful candidate will initially be responsible for leading and conducting a fire safety operating model review for the overseas platform and implementing a new overseas fire safety structure.
As the Overseas Fire Safety subject matter expert within the Estates, Security and Network Department (ESND), you will lead on all aspects of fire policy development across the overseas estate including policy development and operational implementation. You will be required to develop training and awareness campaigns to drive improvements in competence and provide expertise and leadership across the function whilst also proactively working with colleagues at overseas networks to improve operational fire safety.
You will develop assurance reporting processes for improved governance and oversight and lead an overseas fire safety working group to help ensure a communications strategy is delivered through a regional cluster support approach.
The Successful Candidate Will
* Be the subject matter expert on Fire Risk Management across the overseas estate and lead the development and implementation of the new overseas ESND Fire Safety operating model.
* Provide assurance to FCDO that compliance with statutory duties as prescribed in the FCDO policies and relevant legislation (e.g. Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order and Fire Safety England Regulations) are met so far as applicable (noting the legal application of UK legislation overseas is nuanced, however the FCDO approach is to default to this as a core baseline).
* Advise and influence large projects on the overseas estate to embed an ethos of Fire Safety within projects to ensure compliance with the RRFSO and to ensure a smooth project handover.
* Manage the ESND Overseas Fire safety Risk Register to track risk and progress mitigations to an acceptable level of risk, reporting and escalating areas of operational concern.
* Develop and implement fire safety policies and procedures for the overseas estate, liaising with FCDO departments and stakeholders to align with security constraints.
* Support colleagues across the overseas network to understand and address their obligations and duties in accordance with the FCDO fire safety code and help support them whilst they seek to discharge their duty.
* Conduct fire safety inspections and audits to ensure departmental compliance with Health & Safety obligations.
* Work with service delivery partners to ensure contracted duties to manage fire risk is discharged including maintenance, testing, exercise and training.
* Advise on life cycle asset management plans for all fire related life safety systems to ensure continued building functionality and risk mitigation.
* Deliver training on Fire Risks and execution of process for how to respond to various types of emergencies.
* Act as the focal point of escalation for departmental unresolved issues / concerns regarding Fire Safety for the overseas network.
* Investigate and report on all overseas fire safety related events.
Travel to overseas networks will be an important aspect of the role. It is estimated to be one week out of every eight, however the exact frequency and location will be agreed in advance with the Head of Global Building Compliance and Standards and be subject to business requirements.
Person specification
You must be a British Citizen at the time of application and, if invited to interview, you will need to bring proof of identity (British Passport/Driving Licence etc.) with you
.
This role requires you to attain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.
For more information about this process, click here. Attaining DV will require you to have been resident in the UK for five of the last ten years. At least one year of this must have been a consecutive twelve-month period. Serving overseas with HM Forces, in some other official capacity as a representative of His Majesty's Government or having lived overseas as a result of your parents' or partner's Government employment counts as UK residency for the purposes of security clearances.
It is essential in your application that you provide evidence and proven examples in each of the following Minimum Criteria, the Behaviours and the Technical question as far as you are able to do so. These responses will be further developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview.
Minimum Criteria
* Hold, or be working towards, recognised qualifications in Fire Safety (e.g. Level 3 or 4 Diploma in Fire Science and Fire Safety or building industry qualifications with relevant experience in designing or managing fire safety).
* Significant experience and knowledge of Fire Safety and fire safety management principles.
* Good problem-solving skills with the ability to apply alternative fire safety solutions in line with guidance, for example, complex fire risk assessments, construction site fire risk assessments and technical solutions.
* Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage at all levels and manage competing workloads and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
* Able to demonstrate understanding in Approved document B, Fire Strategies, BS9999 and other relevant guides and a strong understanding of UK Fire related regulatory requirements as applicable to the built environment RRFSO, BS5839
* Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) or equivalent.
* Demonstrable knowledge of fire protection design/building regulations.
Qualifications
Hold, or be working towards, recognised qualifications in Fire Safety (e.g. Level 3 or 4 Diploma in Fire Science and Fire Safety or building industry qualifications with relevant experience in designing or managing fire safety).
Memberships
Member of the Institute of Fire Engineers (IFE) or equivalent.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Delivering at Pace
* Making Effective Decisions
* Working Together
* Leadership
* Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Delivering at Pace
Alongside your salary of £46,000, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes £13,326 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
* A Civil Service Pension.
* 25 days Annual Leave per annum.
* 9 days Public and Privilege holidays per annum.
* Learning and Development tailored to your role.
See the attached candidate pack.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
This vacancy uses the
Success Profiles Framework
and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Please see the 'Hints and Tips' that are provided for your information about how to prepare Behaviour examples at the Application and/or Interview stage.
Application Stage
You will be required to complete an online application form and submit a CV and Personal Statement of 500 words. Your Personal Statement should explain how your skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with specific reference to the Minimum Criteria. It is essential that you provide clear evidence and proven examples addressing each of the Minimum Criteria and Behaviours listed below. These responses will be explored further during the interview process for shortlisted candidates.
Please note, you do not need to refer to the qualification or IFE membership in your personal statement.
The
Behaviours
you will be assessed on at the application stage are as follows:
* Communicating and Influencing
* Delivering at Pace
Requirements
You will also be asked two fire safety related questions. The first question will be a risk-based fire safety scenario. The second question will test your understanding of UK Statutory compliance requirements in relation to an operational estate drawing on, for example, your knowledge of the following regulations:
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Fire Safety Act 2021
Fire Safety England Regulations 2022 – (January 2023)
Building Safety Act 2022 and secondary legislation
Section 156 Building Safety Act – Legalisation to be implemented in to the Fire safety Order
IMPORTANT:
If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme and require Reasonable Adjustments to complete your application, please ensure Government Recruitment Service (GRS) are aware of this on the date of application and certainly by the closing date.
In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift by a lead Behaviour. For this campaign we will be prioritising Communicating & Influencing. Only candidates who meet the minimum standard in this Behaviour will have the rest of their application fully assessed.
Interview Stage
If you are successful at the application stage, you will be invited to attend a panel interview (in person) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in London, Milton Keynes or East Kilbride.
There may be the option to conduct the interview by Microsoft Teams for overseas candidates. If this is preferred, you
must
make this clear at the application stage.
At the start of your interview, you will be asked a non-assessed warm-up question about your motivation for applying for the role.
The
Behaviours
you will be assessed on during the interview are as follows:
* Making Effective Decisions
* Working Together
* Leadership
* Managing a Quality Service
Candidates will be required to give a 10-minute presentation on a high-level Action Plan relating to fire safety at the Interview. The scenario will be sent to you in advance.
Please note that the FCDO carries out name-blind (anonymised) recruitment to help build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The personal information on your Application form and/or CV will be concealed during the sifting phase, and only the names of those who are being invited for Interviews will be made known to the Panel.
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 via as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the 'Assistance required' section in the 'Additional requirements' page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Further Information
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
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
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems reading the Candidate Pack, such as through screen reader software, please contact our Team via and we will share a Word version of this.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. Applications must be factually accurate
and should be your own work
. If there is any evidence of plagiarism, including presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own, your application will be withdrawn. The candidate's guide to artificial intelligence in recruitment provides guidance on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in the application process.
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 /Disclosure Scotland 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 Pre- stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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 : FCDO Recruitment Team
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
The FCDO's recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should, in the first instance, contact If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the FCDO, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners.