I’m a diplomat, ask me anything!

[SneezingDonkey]

Within reason!

What do your staff think of you?

How much traveling do you do?

Do you use your diplomacy skills at home?

British or other?

Well, I always get good feedback from my teams, so I think most people like working for me.

Which passport do you use the most

Do you get a discount on ferrero rocher?

BosaBosa - we tend to do two tours overseas and then one at home. Some jobs have a regional remit, which means you cover a wide range of countries, but you often travel extensively to the country to which you’re accredited. Some London jobs also involve a lot of short term travel.

HollowTalk - no, I shout!

We only use our Diplomatic passports when we are on a posting overseas, and occasionally when on official travel (eg if by travelling on a diplomatic passport means you don’t need a visa).

How did you get into the Diplomatic Service (if that's what it's called!)?

Iklboo - we’re a bit tired of the Ferrero Rocher adverts, although we do use them as a joke. We get a number of FOI requests on how much money is spent on them every year...

Dontdream - taking the civil service exams, ticking the box for Diplomatic Service, and being interviewed.

What’s a typical day like for you?

I’m currently overseas, so a day is quite different from London. Lots of lobbying - going to various Ministries to discuss issues important to us, from UN to EU and beyond (particularly with Brexit). Representing the government at various events. Lots of HR stuff - work contracts, disputes, agreeing objectives, writing appraisals. Lots of variety!

I have absolutely no knowledge of what a diplomat is/does other than the laws of the country you're in not applying. I could google but since you're here.. what is a diplomat? What do you do? What's the point of diplomats? I'm very jealous of the beautiful houses you undoubtedly get to live in.

Do you need First Class hons from RG university? Are most diplomats Oxbridge?

Sorry. Serious question - what kind of training do you have? How are diplomats recruited?

Is diplomatic immunity real. Can you commit any crime and get away with it? Also do you get to love in those fabulous houses that are near the embassies in different countries.

A diplomat deals with the government’s relationships with other countries. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t always involve being nice, but often involves delivering tough and unpalatable messages, if you’re posted to a “difficult” country. We also sit round tables in multilateral negotiations, speak for the U.K. and try to get other countries to agree with us - eg on sanctions, military operations, trade issues - a whole raft of things!

I don’t live in a beautiful house (and never have). Accommodation is usually done according to need and family size. I live in a 3 bed flat in a modern block. It’s similar to what I have at home. Ambassadors live in “residences”, which are grander, but the reality is often that the family living quarters are a flat upstairs, and the grand rooms are used for official entertaining.

How many languages do you speak and was it a requirement to get the job?

Most diplomats are not Oxbridge/RG, but a fair number are (usually the older ones). We are trained “on the job” and via our diplomatic academy.

Diplomats are recruited through the civil service fast stream, as other civil service fast streamers, but with an extra layer to get through.

Diplomatic immunity is real, but we have to pay our parking/speeding fines etc etc. I don’t know of anyone who has committed a serious crime overseas, but do know of someone who was sent home (and grounded) some years back for drink driving.

You need an aptitude for languages (this is tested as part of the recruitment process) but a knowledge of languages is useful. I spoke French and German when I joined and am now fluent in a third foreign language, have a good working knowledge of three more, and “survival” (ask directions, read a menu!) in another two.