National Technical Authority for Technical Security
As well as our worldwide work in construction, logistics, and more, FCDO Services is also home to the UK National Technical Authority for Technical Security – or UK NACE, as it’s known. UK NACE consists of the Operations team – analysing data and running essential security inspections for government customers – and the National Technical Authority team, who provide research and development, threat intelligence and response, and a wide range of technical skills training for both colleagues and customers.
If this isn’t what you had in mind, answer a few questions and we’ll find where you fit.
You get a definite sense of pride too from being at the cutting edge. We work very closely with international bodies, and they come to us for guidance on best practice, because they know we’re the best at what we do.
All but two of the team’s 70 colleagues work in Hanslope Park – but your impact will be global.
The team have two overseas positions – one in Australia and one in the USA – with the opportunity to apply every 3-4 years.
Want to learn more about the work we do? Have a look at our case studies and explore the impact of our projects – and the diverse skills that come together to make it all happen.
Alongside the training of the wider FCDO Services team, there are some specific options in place to help our UK NACE team excel:
Find out about overall training and benefits at Life at FCDO Services
The team runs an exchange programme, with visiting members of the US state department.
UK NACE works regularly with academics at a variety of UK universities, to make sure our technological knowledge is at the absolute forefront.
You could be travelling overseas for up to six months of the year, and you’ll be working in the UK the rest of the time. As a general rule, we try to make sure that your time spent overseas is as efficient as possible, but you could work up to 8 weeks in any one stint.
When you’re not overseas, our UK NACE team are based in Hanslope Park; our site near Milton Keynes. To find out more about Hanslope Park, see Life at FCDO Services.
We work in 168 countries, and you could well be travelling to any one of them. Your safety is our most important concern though: we’ll never send you anywhere you aren’t comfortable with.
We’ll organise both your travel and your accommodation while you’re overseas, and support you financially.
As much as possible, we’ll aim to spread out your trips so that you get breaks from overseas travel. It means you can balance your home life with your travel abroad, and it also gives you time to properly prepare for each project you take on.
As a general rule, it’s not practical for families to travel with the UK NACE team, since you’ll be overseas for regular short bursts. Having said that, if you do have a longer posting overseas – if you’ll be stationed abroad for two years, say – then we can support your family to move overseas with you, if the role allows for that.
You’ll be able to stay in touch with your team throughout your time abroad, through our FCDO Services intranet, as well as having a manager who’ll check in on your progress. Plus, if you need someone’s advice on a project, there are always experts on call, no matter the time difference. You’ll also be able to take advantage of our overseas network activity: we offer all sorts of support to our colleagues both at home and abroad, whether it’s wellbeing events like yoga sessions, or chances to socialise with the teams stationed in your location.
The nature of our work means most new starters will have a steep learning curve.
In a fast-moving industry, you’re never set in your ways.
You’ve got real technical acumen, to help us stay ahead of the field.
For some roles, you might need to be prepared to travel the UK or even overseas.
Want to join FCDO Services but can’t see a live role to suit you? Great news: you can sign up for job alerts or add your CV to our talent pool and we’ll be in touch when something comes up.