Have you ever dreamed of working in foreign services or finding a job that allows you to travel to different countries? If so, consider becoming a diplomat. A misconception related to diplomats is that they are primarily attending swanky cocktail parties with top-level officials. The truth is quite different. A diplomat has a dynamic role. They represent and protect their home and host country’s interests abroad. If you want to know what a diplomat actually does, this guide has got you covered. Read on and find out everything related to a diplomat’s job.
What is a Diplomat?
A diplomat is a Foreign Service Officer who forms, maintains, and repairs international relations to help further their country’s interests by exchanging information to boost mutual understanding between their nation and other countries. Diplomats can influence the development of international relations and diplomacy. They often negotiate treaties and manage inquiries related to peace, war, human rights as well as social, economic, political, and environmental issues.
Undeniably, working in a diverse culture with frequent travel can be challenging. However, a diplomat manages to cope with such challenges and represents their country internationally. As a representative of the home government, they advocate for actions that are in line with their home government’s political interests. So, a diplomat plays a crucial role in foreign policy formulation.
Here are some of the functions that a diplomat typically performs:
- Promoting international relations between countries and power holders
- Protecting the interests of their home country and those of other countries
- Facilitating agreements and conventions
- Promoting information about trade and commerce
What Does a Diplomat Do?
The role of a diplomat goes far beyond etiquette. In essence, they foster international ties and collect crucial information related to their country’s interests, and are involved in negotiating treaties before a politician officially endorses them. Besides, a diplomat has the below-mentioned 6 categories to choose from, and each role varies based on the assigned tasks. The categories include:
1. Consular Officers
Consular officers play an important role in the diplomatic mission of a nation. They are responsible for issuing visas, authenticating documents, performing notarial services, and providing assistance to citizens or nationals of their home country who are visiting foreign countries. Consular officers also help protect the rights of their citizens by informing them of local laws and regulations, and providing advice on travel safety. They may also provide emergency assistance to those in need and act as a liaison between their home country’s embassy or consulate and local authorities. In addition to these duties, consular officers often serve as cultural envoys by organizing events for students and business leaders from abroad, fostering stronger ties between people of different cultures. The job requires diplomacy, tactfulness, good judgement, and an understanding of international relations. Consular officers must be knowledgeable and diplomatic when dealing with foreign governments, citizens, and other consular representatives. It is a demanding job but one that can be very rewarding as it helps to promote peace and understanding between nations.
2. Economic Officers
Economic Officers are responsible for ensuring that their organization’s activities, policies, and regulations adhere to local and international economic laws. They monitor the economic environment related to the organization’s activities, advise on investment opportunities and potential risks, provide analysis of economic trends and performance reports, analyze data from financial statements or other sources, develop strategies to increase profitability and reduce risk in decision-making processes. They also collaborate with other departments within an organization to ensure compliance with regulations while still meeting desired business goals. In addition, Economic Officers may represent the company at conferences or in negotiations with other economic organizations. It is vital that Economic Officers maintain a detailed knowledge of current economic trends in order to stay ahead of market changes and identify key opportunities for growth.
3. Management Officers
Management Officers in the diplomatic field help advance US foreign policy objectives. They analyze and report on political, economic, social, cultural and security issues in their assigned countries. Management Officers are responsible for developing relationships with government officials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), universities and other entities to support US diplomatic initiatives. They also oversee contracts for construction projects related to Embassy activities and develop plans for the efficient use of resources within a given country’s mission. In addition, Management Officers manage the day-to-day operations of an Embassy including personnel management as well as fiscal and budget planning. Their work requires them to have knowledge of local laws and regulations as well as fluency in one or more host country languages. Ultimately, Management Officers ensure that US missions abroad are operating effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, Management Officers may be called upon to provide security advice to US citizens in the country, manage crisis situations related to natural disasters or civil unrest, and support embassy personnel during emergency evacuations. By working collaboratively with local counterparts, Management Officers help promote America’s values abroad while ensuring that US diplomatic interests are met.
4. Public Diplomacy Officers
Public Diplomacy Officers are responsible for promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the American people and citizens of other countries. They accomplish this by engaging with foreign audiences to advance U.S. policy objectives and interests through a variety of communication channels, including print, broadcast media, digital tools, speaking engagements, and cultural programs. Public Diplomacy Officers identify target audiences abroad; develop messages that resonate with those audiences; use new technologies to deliver those messages effectively; coordinate exchanges between Americans and foreigners; provide advice on local cultures; serve as the face of their country in diplomatic settings; represent the United States at international conferences or symposiums; respond to requests for information from foreign governments; exchange ideas with foreign leaders about ways to improve bilateral relationships between the two countries; and serve as a U.S. ambassador to other nations. They also help the State Department evaluate and improve its public diplomacy efforts, provide feedback on the impact of current campaigns, and recommend new initiatives or programming that could further engage foreign audiences.
5. Political Officers
Political Officers in diplomatic services are responsible for managing and facilitating communication between countries. They provide assistance to the government by offering advice and analysis on policies, strategies, current events, and other international matters. In addition, they help resolve disputes between nations and ensure that negotiations are conducted in an orderly manner. Political Officers also serve as representatives of their country abroad and act as a point of contact for citizens of their own nation when abroad. Furthermore, they advise foreign governments on how to best handle relations with other countries, thereby helping to promote peace and stability worldwide. Through these actions, Political Officers play an important role in maintaining positive diplomatic relations between countries.
6. Trade Officers
Trade Officers in diplomacy are ambassadors of global trade and commercial relations. They are responsible for promoting the economic interests of their country abroad by developing, managing and sustaining relationships with foreign governments, businesses, and stakeholders. Trade Officers use a variety of techniques to identify new opportunities for trade, improve existing markets, resolve disputes or challenges that undermine bilateral trading systems, and help create a conducive environment for business transactions. Their work also involves providing technical advice on trade-related matters such as tariffs and regulations; providing market intelligence; engaging in negotiations; representing their government at international meetings; and ensuring compliance with international conventions related to trade. In some cases they may also be called upon to provide guidance during times of economic crisis. Ultimately, Trade Officers play an important role in facilitating international trade and helping their country attain its economic goals.
Ranks in Diplomacy
In modern diplomacy, diplomatic career ladders do not determine the importance of missions but determine the diplomat’s seniority within their own nation. It should be noted that the pattern of ranks varies for different countries. However, here is a standard ranking system for a diplomat:
- Ambassador
- Minister-Counselor
- Counselor
- Secretary
- Attache
- Assistant Attache
Job Description of a Diplomat
Diplomats are allocated to different countries; therefore, their duties vary based on their working country. Their job includes:
- Consulate with foreign embassies and high commissions
- Resolve queries such as written correspondence by letters and respond to overseas contacts, departments, and public members by telephone
- Deal with in-person queries
- Write and proofread reports
- Ensure diplomatic and ministerial visits are conducted smoothly
- Guide travelers and update information related to it
- Contribute to policy work to support their colleagues
- Manage departmental budgets
- Handle specific departmental activities
What Skills Do Diplomats Need?
Since diplomats collaborate with people from diverse cultures having different beliefs and values, they should be equipped with many skills to perform their job efficiently. Find out below the essential skills that a diplomat need.
- Negotiation Skills: One of the top skills a diplomat should have is convincing others to share their perspectives and agree with their viewpoints. If they are equipped with solid negotiation skills, they can debate ideas, boost relationships and build consensus among opposing groups.
- Leadership Skills: Leading with a unified vision helps diplomats work collaboratively with others. Being equipped with this skill, they can lead and coach others as well as perform their duties smoothly.
- Written Communication Skills: They should be well-acquainted with the grammar roles and write like natives without making any mistakes. Written communication skills help them communicate persuasively with others and use concise yet clear sentences to convey their message.
- Foreign Language Skills: Being bilingual and learning new languages enables them to understand others’ cultures deeply and keep hearing about them. Also, this skill makes them more knowledgeable and projects a strong image among other countries.
- Research Skills: Conducting rigorous research and analyzing different aspects of information helps them make valuable foreign policy decisions. They can better address dilemmas and identify international issues that need to be sorted out for the betterment of countries.
- Cross-Cultural Awareness: They should understand different cultures and respect other nations’ perspectives. Diplomats with cross-cultural awareness can negotiate better and make meetings and assignments successfully.
Benefits of Becoming a Diplomat
If you want to become a foreign officer or diplomat, here are a few potential benefits you can reap:
Free Housing
Based on your hosting country, you may get a luxury apartment in a big city with upscale neighborhoods. Moreover, they may enjoy living in big houses having great views and big yards.
Networking
The job of a diplomat requires them to move to different stations; therefore, they keep on knowing and learning about other communities. Since they meet other people and build relationships with diverse communities, they have pretty good networking.
Free Travel
If you are interested in traveling and exploring different parts of the world, this profession is right for you. While visiting foreign countries, they explore other cultures and know their customs. Besides, they learn different languages to work in different countries. Above all, they don’t need a visa requirement to travel around the world.
Diplomatic Immunity
They are not subject to local laws and enjoy a protected status in the countries they serve. So, with diplomatic immunity, they can work on national and international interests without any interruption of law and local authorities.
Representing Your Country
Being at the heart of building relationships with other nations and representing the nation’s interests is an honorable duty. A diplomat develops professionalism, integrity, and dignity while playing their role.
What is the Average Salary of a Diplomat?
Diplomats usually earn a salary and benefits package that is commensurate with their position. A diplomat’s salary typically includes a base pay, bonus payments, travel allowances, housing or rental allowance, and other miscellaneous benefits. Depending on the country, a diplomat’s salary may be determined by the Foreign Service Officer’s rank or grade level. Generally speaking, diplomats at higher levels of the diplomatic corps are compensated more handsomely than those below them. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics political scientists/diplomats earn between $61,480 and $172,490 with an average of $122,510. If you would like to learn more about the salary of international relations professionals, consider reading this article.
Work Environment of a Diplomat
Once you become a diplomat, you need to complete training duration in your country. Then, you get your first overseas assignment in which you get a lot of opportunities to polish your foreign language skills and learn to work in different environments. After completion of a probationary period which lasts up to five years, you can choose the country where you want to post. Besides traveling and serving in developed countries, you work in developing countries with high disease rates, inflation, poverty, and social upheaval.
Since diplomacy is a prestigious occupation, a state offers special privileges to diplomats, including but not limited to high status, exemplary standards of living, and special immunities.
How to Become a Diplomat?
If you have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in political science, international relations, or economics, you fit the baseline requirements of becoming a diplomat. However, it depends on more than your qualification level. As a person, you should have critical and negotiation skills along with a high intellectual level. Other skills such as language, leadership, and a flexible personality are a few starting assets for those who want to become diplomats. If you do not want to commit to an entire degree as of yet, consider taking an online course in diplomacy to explore your interests.
Being a foreign officer is complex; you must pass an extensive testing process. You should have a strong command of writing, general knowledge, and aptitude for languages if you want to qualify in its rigorous selection process.
After clearing the first selection phase, you need to pass a security screening in which your mental and physical health is assessed. Moreover, it also involves checking your past criminal history or police records and your personal information through the official intelligence wing.
Conclusion
The fulfilling career path of diplomats gives them a prestigious status to be involved in foreign services. Diplomats often engage in finding collective solutions to global issues, whether they are working with developing or industrialized countries, multinational corporations, or small nonprofit organizations.
Hopefully, this article helps you know what a diplomat does. Understanding a diplomat’s duties, job nature, and skills can help you decide whether you are a perfect fit to become a diplomat. It’s a nice career where you not only have the opportunity to live a fine lifestyle but also get to represent your country professionally in the international worldwide.