The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is on the hunt for a new Chief Digital Information Officer. Applications close July 28.

Recruitment is being run by Allen Lane. Benefits include a £162,500 salary and a £47,076 contribution by the FCDO to the civil service pension. 

“This opportunity presents itself at a crucial moment in time for the Department. Following the successful merger for the FCO and DFID, one of the Great Offices of State is on the cusp of an exciting digital transformation that will drive the Department’s mission” – Allen Lane 

The new FCDO CDIO will be responsible for delivering “world class secure IT, digital and data services” for 17,000+ employees in 280 overseas embassies and high commissions and run a team of some 400 staff.

The annual budget is £230 million, a figure that will grow “significantly over the next few years to help drive a digital transformation programme” the specialist recruiter said in a job description. Polish off that CV? ..

The FCDO wants someone who can demonstrate experience “delivering large digital transformation and building relationships at the most senior levels across complex organisations…  and leading a large and geographically dispersed team through a period of significant change.”

Also sought: “A proven track record in delivering large-scale and complex project and programme management, driving value for money…”

See also: Unwiring Whitehall? Why HMG is facing a CIO exodus

What you won’t get? Many easy opportunities to showcase your triumphs.

Under new government guidance, ministers have effectively duct-taped civil service CIOs and CTOs’ mouths shut with strict new rules that forbids them from engaging in public Q&As, round table discussions, or other forums of open conversation without explicit prior approval by Number 10 Downing Street. Anything that involves the press is out of bounds and the only public forum possible is a keynote address. 

Internal documents note, as the Institute for Government’s Hannah White and Alex Thomas put it, “that ministers should be the main public spokespeople for government activity, and that it is the government itself that should be credited (or, presumably, blamed) for government activity.”

The outgoing FCDO CDIO is Adrian Blundell.

"I’m finishing in Government and moving to a portfolio career doing non-exec advisory and mentoring work.. and getting some time back….thanks for highlighting the role," he told The Stack.

"Best CDIO job going."

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