Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Overseas Security Advisor
Reference Number: 420068
Total Package: £62,500. This includes a non-pensionable, non-consolidated location allowance of £5,000
Contract: Permanent and full time. You’ll be required to work in line with FCDO policies on hybrid working, which involves a minimum of 60% in the office.
Location: London with some overseas travel
We lead the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world. We employ around 17,000 staff in our global network of 281 offices worldwide. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street in London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and in Milton Keynes.
Your role with us
When you join us in this critical role you’ll be a key member of a small team delivering security advice across a wide network. Based in London but travelling frequently to work at our overseas missions, you’ll support operations across the full spectrum of risk, from routine activities to high-threat environments, primarily addressing a range of issues that include espionage, crime and terrorism. Offering specialised security advice at the design, construction and renovation stages of various projects, and delivering presentations on security to staff who are deploying overseas, we’ll also expect you to write reports that justify your recommendations, and contribute to the implementation of security enhancements.
Committed to maintaining a high level of personal expertise and knowledge by attending exhibitions and conferences, and networking with your colleagues and peers in the security industry, you’ll maintain a strong focus on your professional development. We’ll also expect you to represent the Directorate at a wide variety of meetings across the FCDO, help to determine security policy, participate in working groups investigating security-related issues, and provide specific advice during crisis management situations. And if required, you’ll provide advice on protective security to other Government Departments and the British Council.
Who we’re looking for
To be a success in this role you’ll be a confident and motivating leader with the ability to work both as a member of a team and independently. It’s important that you possess well developed organisational, analytical and problem solving skills, and you should also be capable of collaborating with and influencing people at all levels. With this in mind, we’ll expect you to be a superb communicator, both verbally and in writing, and have the skills to assess, train and mentor a wide variety of staff employed on security duties with our organisation.
You’ll have recent operational experience in a security and/or risk management role, and have worked overseas at a senior level for a large organisation in either the public or the private sector. With this in mind, you should be familiar with the latest developments in intelligence, risk assessment and security equipment, and have first-hand experience of dealing with complex security management issues. And as measures to reduce security vulnerabilities can have significant costs and practical implications, you’ll have a good understanding of the impact of any recommendations you make.
You must be a British citizen at the time of your application, and you’ll be required to attain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance. Please note that obtaining DV clearance can take approximately three months depending on your individual circumstances. For more information about this process, click here.
We encourage applications from all communities, so that we reflect the very best of 21st century Britain. Everyone here gets the support to develop their skills and capabilities as well as benefits that help to make the most of life in and out of work, including a Civil Service pension.
Use your talent and experience to shape our nation’s future, and deliver tangible improvements to millions of lives, including your own.
Closing date: 29 September 2025.
Apply link: https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi?jcode=1967890