Fanny Trang is an American-Belgian national working at the British Embassy in Paris. With five years' experience in digital and a degree from the United Nations University, she now looks after the Embassy's communications strategy. Interview by Lucie Goulet.
Read MoreWith over 17 years' experience in the Civil Service, Ruth Shaw talks to Women in Foreign Policy founder Lucie Goulet about managing big teams, leading in times of change and working in male-dominated environments. She also shares the best advice she has received from her mentors and tips for applying to the foreign office.
Read MoreAfter years working throughout the Middle East, including as HM Ambassador to Yemen, Jane Marriott is now heading the Joint International Counter-Terrorism Unit. She spoke to Lucie Goulet about the skills required to be a great diplomat, the process of becoming an ambassador and her career in some of the world's toughest countries.
Read MoreYou’re a counsellor at the Romanian Embassy in London. What does it entail?
I’ve been working as counsellor at the Political Section of the Romanian Embassy in London since summer 2009, but now I am about to end my posting here, after five splendid years. The London posting is what we call a bilateral diplomacy posting, and it is in the hands of the diplomats from the Political Section of an Embassy to carry on with the relationship between the two countries, trying to enrich it. My portfolio is quite mixed, including both internal and foreign affairs, political and technical.
Read MoreYou’ve worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for 5 years. How did you get the job?
I applied through the Civil Service Fast Stream.
Read MoreWhat do you do at the Foreign Office (FCO)?
I am Second Secretary, Foreign Policy at the British Embassy in Brasilia. The bulk of my job is analysing Brazil’s foreign policy and explaining British foreign policy to Brazilians. I look at both of our perspectives on world issues. I also run dialogues between officials and ministers to make sure we’re discussing priority international issues at the right level.
Read MoreWhat do you do as first secretary at the Republic of Serbia embassy?
As first secretary at the Embassy, I cover European Union affairs. It involves all EU policies in economy, finance, environment, social affairs, common foreign and security policy, enlargement, etc. with special emphasis on UK position towards all these specific topics. The last several months were very interesting and challenging in terms of analysing the British European Policy. I usually have contact with the representatives of the British institutions, and also with the representatives of British think tanks and NGOs in order to understand better UK’s expectations from the EU. The other aspect of my job is constantly keeping my counterparts informed of Serbia’s process of negotiation with the EU. Since I’m a people person, these activities are a happy combination of my interests.
Read MoreWhat do you do as an International Communications Advisor?
The primary focus of my role is consulting overseas teams on their communications outputs. I work in 44 countries around the world, developing communications plans, media engagement work, helping different teams to set up digital channels and providing advice remotely. I also visit those countries to provide communications training; next week I will be in Burkina Faso, then on to Senegal.
Read MoreWhat do you do as a new entrant economist at the FCO?
My first role in the FCO has been in the Economics Unit, where I am the South Asia & Security Economist. I will change roles after my first year, and after two years in London I can start to apply for overseas postings.
Read MoreYou’re currently Head of the Conflict Department at Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). What does it entail?
The Conflict Department manages some of the critical tools a government can use to prevent or resolve violent conflict. These include: oversight of UN peacekeeping and peace-building operations, and management of a cross-government fund for conflict, stability and security, which is over £1bn. We manage risk management and transparency mechanisms for businesses operating in fragile countries. Conflict Department also carries out campaigning work, including on the forced recruitment of child soldiers, and on preventing sexual violence in conflict.
Read MoreYou’re currently a Political Counsellor at the British High Commission in Pretoria. What does it entail?
As the Political Counsellor role in Pretoria, I work with my three teams to deliver in the following areas: UK/SA joint work on international foreign policy issues; bilateral engagement with South Africa, including on mutual priorities such as climate change, science and innovation and education; and our communications efforts – internally, externally in South Africa, regionally and globally.
Read MoreYou have been Deputy Head of the Projects Task Force in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for the past two years. What does that entail?
I am one of three Deputy Heads. We each run a team of project officers of different grades and experience. We all deploy across the office to do urgent high priority work when individual FCO Departments do not have the resources to take it on.
Read MoreYou have been Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark since 2012. What does it entail?
Leading the embassy in using the relationship with Denmark to pursue British interests. That means trying to convince the Danes to agree with us on key policy issues, to work alongside us, for example in Iraq or on Ebola, being able to explain Danish positions to colleagues in the UK who are themselves looking for support or partnership with Denmark, promoting British exports and investment into the UK and looking after British citizens needing assistance in Denmark.
Read MoreWhat do you do as Arabic spokesperson for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)?
I am currently the London-based Arabic Spokesperson of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, reaching out on behalf of Her Majesty's Government to an estimated 370 million Arabic speakers worldwide. Alongside print, broadcast and online interviews and press briefings, I manage relationships with the Arab press corps in London and with media outlets across the Middle East and North Africa region. I also support Ministers, Ambassadors and policy teams in their Arab media outreach and strategic communications work.
Read MoreYou’re currently a senior diplomat posted at the FCO in London. What does that entail?
I am currently preparing for my posting as Ambassador to Zimbabwe, which starts at the end of August. This entails training courses and briefings around Whitehall and with external partners, including parliamentarians, academics and business people.
Read MoreYou’re currently the British Ambassador to Finland. What does it entail?
My job is to promote good relations between the UK and Finland, to our mutual benefit. I cover a fantastic range of subjects – EU, Ukraine, Ebola, Arms Trade Treaty, commercial and consular work – because our contacts with Finland are so rich and we share so many objectives in the world. No two days are the same; in the past 10 days I was with the Finnish Prime Minister in 10 Downing Street, visited a science park on Finland’s west coast and hosted trade promotion events at the Residence.
Read MoreWhat do you do as Deputy Head, Commercial and Economic Diplomacy Department (CEDD) of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)?
As deputy head, I lead the FCO's diplomatic support to UK businesses overseas. I manage three teams covering commercial diplomacy and business outreach, market access and economic openness and trade policy, so it's a wide-ranging agenda.
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