Postholder will head up department’s FCO Labs unit

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is seeking to appoint a senior official to lead its use of emerging technologies.

The FCO is advertising a vacant role as head of digital, data and technology strategy and innovation. The recruitment comes on the back of a “major rollout of new technology” across the department.

“The [postholder] will take the lead in ensuring the organisation continues to understand and exploit new and emerging technologies, enabling staff empowerment and transforming the way we work,” the department said.

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A key responsibility of the tole will be to head up the Foreign Office’s FCO Labs unit, the remit of which is to use “a design-driven approach [to] develop new processes, ways of working and tools to enable staff to fully exploit new technology and transform the FCO into a truly digital workplace”.

Other tasks assigned to the DDaT strategy chief will include working with others across the department, the rest of government, and the private sector to seek out “opportunities for innovation and problem-solving across front-line and operational activities”

The successful candidate will also be expected to “design and establish an approach that enables the FCO to explore the opportunities and challenges that emerging technology will bring in the future”.

The department added: “The job provides a fascinating perspective on the work of the FCO and wider government and would suit a candidate looking to build on past experience who wants to take their networking, management and communications skills to the next level. You will manage a diverse mix of generalists, specialists and contract staff in a Directorate where such working is the norm.”

The role, which will be based in London, comes with a salary of £74,093. Applications are open until 22 April.