Diplomat

Diplomats represent their home nation and government in international organisations. They negotiate with the organisation’s officials to ensure the home nation’s interests are protected, as well as facilitate productive and friendly communication between the home nation and the international organisation.

The following job titles also refer to diplomat:

UN diplomat
diplomatic agent
foreign service officer
envoy
diplomatic service officer
her majesty’s diplomat

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

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.

Diplomat is a Skill level 4 occupation.

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

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

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

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

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.
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.

These skills are necessary for the role of diplomat.

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.
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.
Establish collaborative relations: Establish a connection between organisations or individuals which may benefit from communicating with one another in order to facilitate an enduring positive collaborative relationship between both parties.
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.
Analyse problems for opportunities: Identify and anticipate problems in order to choose a course of action, come up with appropriate solutions or even identify opportunities for further development.
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.
Develop international cooperation strategies: Develop plans which ensure a cooperation between international public organisations such as researching different international organisations and their goals and assessing possible alignment with other organisations.
Apply diplomatic crisis management: Deal with threats to the home nation before, during and after they have occurred in order to help bridge the gap between the home nation and foreign nations.
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.
Assess risk factors: Determine the influence of economical, political and cultural risk factors and additional issues.
Build international relations: Build positive communication dynamics with organisations from different countries in order to build a cooperative relationship and optimise information exchange.
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.
Make diplomatic decisions: Consider several alternative possibilities carefully and in a diplomatic way before making a choice in order to facilitate decision-making for political leaders.

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

Foreign affairs policy development: The development processes of foreign affairs policies, such as relevant research methods, relevant legislation, and foreign affairs operations.
Government policy implementation: The procedures related to the application of government policies at all levels of public administration.
International law: The binding rules and regulations in the relations between states and nations, and legal systems dealing with countries rather than private citizens.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of diplomat. 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.
Advise on risk management: Provide advice on risk management policies and prevention strategies and their implementation, being aware of different kinds of risks to a specific organisation.
Protect client interests: Protect the interests and needs of a client by taking necessary actions, and researching all possibilities, to ensure that the client obtains their favoured outcome.
Present arguments persuasively: Present arguments during a negotiation or debate, or in written form, in a persuasive manner in order to obtain the most support for the case the speaker or writer represents.
Think analytically: Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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.
Respond to enquiries: Respond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public.
Ensure cross-department cooperation: Guarantee communication and cooperation with all the entities and teams in a given organisation, according to the company strategy.
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.
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.

1112 – Senior government officials

 

 

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References

1. Diplomat – ESCO