Ambassador

Description

Ambassadors represent their own government in foreign countries for diplomatic and peace-keeping purposes. They deal with political negotiation between the country of origin and the country where they are stationed and ensure the protection of citizens from their home nation in the nation they are stationed. They facilitate communication between the two nations and perform advisory functions to the home government to help develop foreign policy.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to ambassador:

resident ambassador
diplomatic ambassador
high commissioner
ordinary ambassador

Minimum qualifications

Master’s degree is generally required to work as ambassador. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Ambassador is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Ambassador career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to ambassador.

diplomat
international relations officer
embassy counsellor
political affairs officer
foreign affairs officer

Long term prospects

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of ambassador. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of ambassador with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of ambassador.

Foreign affairs policy development: The development processes of foreign affairs policies, such as relevant research methods, relevant legislation, and foreign affairs operations.
Government representation: The legal and public representation methods and procedures of the government during trial cases or for communication purposes, and the specific aspects of the governmental bodies being represented in order to ensure accurate representation.
Foreign affairs: The operations of a foreign affairs department in a government or public organisation and its regulations.
Government policy implementation: The procedures related to the application of government policies at all levels of public administration.
Diplomatic principles: The practices of facilitating agreements or international treaties with other countries by conducting negotiations and attempting to protect the interests of the home government, as well as facilitating compromise.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of ambassador.

Apply diplomatic principles: Apply the processes involved in the creation of international treaties by conducting negotiations between representatives of different countries, protecting the home government’s interests, and facilitating compromise.
Maintain relations with local representatives: Maintain good relations with representatives of the local scientific, economic and civil society.
Speak different languages: Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.
Observe new developments in foreign countries: Observe political, economic and societal developments in the assigned country, gather and report relevant information to the relevant institution.
Coordinate government activities in foreign institutions: Coordinate the activities of the home country’s government in foreign institutions, such as decentralised government services, resource management, policy management, and other government activities.
Maintain relationships with government agencies: Establish and maintain cordial working relationships with peers in different governmental agencies.
Show intercultural awareness: Show sensibility towards cultural differences by taking actions which facilitate positive interaction between international organisations, between groups or individuals of different cultures, and to promote integration in a community.
Represent national interests: Represent the national government’s and industries’ interests concerning various matters such as trade, human rights, development aid, environmental issues and other aspects of the political, economic or scientific cooperation.
Develop professional network: Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.
Assess risk factors: Determine the influence of economical, political and cultural risk factors and additional issues.
Advise on legislative acts: Advise officials in a legislature on the propositioning of new bills and the consideration of items of legislation.
Advise on foreign affairs policies: Advise governments or other public organisations on the development and implementation of foreign affairs policies.
Manage government policy implementation: Manage the operations of the implementation of new government policies or changes in existing policies on a national or regional level as well as the staff involved in the implementation procedure.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of ambassador. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Budgetary principles: Principles of estimating and planning of forecasts for business activity, compile regular budget and reports.
International law: The binding rules and regulations in the relations between states and nations, and legal systems dealing with countries rather than private citizens.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of ambassador. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Apply conflict management: Take ownership of the handling of all complaints and disputes showing empathy and understanding to achieve resolution. To be fully aware of all Social Responsibility protocols and procedures, and to be able to deal with a problem gambling situation in a professional manner with maturity and empathy.
Manage emergency procedures: React quickly in case of emergency and set planned emergency procedures in motion.
Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
Facilitate official agreement: Facilitate an official agreement between two disputing parties, ensuring that both parties agree on the resolution which has been decided on, as well as writing the necessary documents and ensuring both parties sign it.
Analyse foreign affairs policies: Analyse the existing policies for the handling of foreign affairs within a government or public organisation in order to evaluate them and search for improvements.
Support other national representatives: Support other institutions or organisations acting as national representatives in a foreign country such as cultural institutes, schools, and other organisations.
Perform government ceremonies: Perform the ritual tasks and duties, according to traditions and regulations, as a representative of the government during an official government ceremonial event.
Set organisational policies: Participate in setting organisational policies that cover issues such as participant eligibility, program requirements, and program benefits for the service users.
Ensure cross-department cooperation: Guarantee communication and cooperation with all the entities and teams in a given organisation, according to the company strategy.
Apply organisational techniques: Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
Build international relations: Build positive communication dynamics with organisations from different countries in order to build a cooperative relationship and optimise information exchange.
Organise cultural events: Arrange events in cooperation with local stakeholders which promote local culture and heritage.
Analyse potential threats against national security: Analyse the possibilities of potential threats and actions taken against national security in order to develop preventive measures and aid with the development of military tactics and operations.
Develop contingency plans for emergencies: Compose procedures outlining specific actions to be taken in the event of an emergency, taking into account all the risks and dangers that could be involved, ensuring that the plans comply with safety legislation and represent the safest course of action.
Perform political negotiation: Perform debate and argumentative dialogue in a political context, using negotiation techniques specific to political contexts in order to obtain the desired goal, ensure compromise, and maintain cooperative relations.
Conduct public presentations: Speak in public and interact with those present. Prepare notices, plans, charts, and other information to support the presentation.

ISCO group and title

1112 – Senior government officials

 

 


 

 

References
  1. Ambassador – ESCO
Last updated on August 8, 2022