This vacancy uses the Success Profiles Framework to assess your Behaviours and Experience. We will use the Senior DevOps Engineer framework to assess your Technical skills.
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 the following as part of the online application:
-
A CV detailing your career history (including any relevant qualifications). CVs will be assessed against the Essential Criteria outlined in the Person Specification section below.
-
A Personal Statement of 750 words explaining how you consider your skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with specific reference to the Essential Criteria. These responses will be explored further during the interview process for shortlisted candidates.
Your application will be assessed on the following behaviours:
-
Making Effective Decisions
-
Managing a Quality Service.
Your application will be assessed on the following technical skills:
-
Development Process Optimisation (working level)
-
Modern Development Standards (Practitioner level)
In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the lead behaviour Making Effective Decisions. Only candidates who meet the minimum standard in this Behaviour will have the rest of their application fully assessed.
Interview Stage
At the start of your interview, you will also be asked a non-assessed warm-up question about your motivation for applying for the role.
Candidates will be required to give a 10-minute Presentation at the Interview, and the topic will be sent to you in advance.
The Presentation will test the following Technical skill:
Modern Development Standards (Practitioner Level)
You will also be assessed on the following Behaviours and Technical skills at Interview:
Behaviours:
-
Changing and Improving
-
Developing Self and Others
Technical Skills:
-
Programming and Build (software engineering)(Practioner level)
-
Service Support (expert level)
-
Service Design (Practitioner Level)
Expected sift and interview dates, please note these are subject to change and may change due to delays in process or other business requirements.
Closing date for applications: 24 August 2026
Sift results released: W/C 24 August 2026
Interview dates: W/C 14 September 2026
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.
The FCDO has appointed the Government Recruitment Service to manage the process.
If you are successful at the application stage, you will be invited to attend a panel interview at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This will be held remotely on Microsoft Teams and details will be given to candidates who are successful at the sift stage.
There may be other opportunities in the future. Candidates who meet the required level at interview, will be kept on a reserve list for 12 months. Should this, or another substantially similar role arise within this period, we may fill it with a reserve candidate from this campaign. If you are conditionally offered, and accept, a role your name will be removed from any other FCDO reserve lists.
Please note that the FCDO will not reimburse any travel costs or expenses incurred as part of the selection process.
Current FCDO staff members are advised that this is an external campaign and, as such, you will be required to go through the same process as all other candidates.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
If you have any questions, please email: [email protected]
For information about acceptable and unacceptable use of Artificial Intelligence in recruitment see Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers.
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 [email protected] 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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Further Information
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
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 applicants 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 [email protected] and we will share a Word version of this.
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 [email protected] 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 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]
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.
