Diplomatic and Development Economics Fast Stream 2027

The heart of international economic issues, development and foreign policy.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advances the UK’s national interests and promotes the UK as a force for good globally. It supports British citizens, safeguards national security, upholds UK values, reduces poverty, and addresses global challenges in partnership with the international community.

Economics is central to the FCDO’s mission. Economists are embedded in the heart of policymaking, diplomacy, partnerships, and aid strategy. As an international economic department with a global development focus, the FCDO increasingly relies on economic expertise to generate innovative ideas and deliver robust policy advice to ministers.

Economists enhance policy and programming by:

Analysing how economic trends affect UK and global interests

Identifying and prioritizing key development and policy challenges

Designing evidence-based, cost-effective solutions

Implementing policies with clear, measurable outcomes

Persuading stakeholders through data-driven insights

Diplomatic and Development Economists work on diverse, high-impact projects that span countries and themes—from macroeconomic stability to sustainable development. These roles place you at the intersection of economics, international relations, and global policy.

UK-based positions offer collaboration with government departments, international organizations, consultancies, and academic institutions. These roles provide valuable experience and training, serving as a springboard to overseas postings.

The FCDO is committed to recruiting a talented and diverse workforce that truly reflects the society we serve. We welcome diversity in ideas and background.

The Fast Stream offers a demanding and rewarding entry point into FCDO. The programme will stretch your skills, expose you to fast-paced and high-impact roles, and give you the opportunity to make a real contribution from the outset.

From 2026, the FCDO will introduce a China Pathway which reflects the need to develop future leaders with a strong understanding of China’s political system, economy, language, culture, and global influence. The China Pathway complements the broad, generalist leadership development that sits at the heart of the DDE Fast Stream. DDE Fast Streamers will be able to apply for the China Pathway in their first two years. If successful Fast Streamers will continue to develop core diplomatic and policy skills, while gaining more sustained experience in China-facing roles and, where appropriate, language capability. This approach allows the FCDO to strengthen its long-term capability in a critical policy area, while maintaining the flexibility, breadth and resilience expected of future FCDO leaders.

Please note: The Final Selection Board for the DD Fast Stream will be conducted in person in London on selected dates. Candidates must be in the UK and available to attend their allocated assessment in person during February and March 2027. Flexibility to attend in person is therefore essential.

Open to UK nationals only.

Application Process

There are several phases in the Fast Stream application process. Some of these assessments are multimedia in that they present information in video, audio, graphical or visual formats, as well as text. We hope you find it an engaging process and one that gives you a real insight into the role of a fast streamer.

At the initial application stage you will be asked to complete some background information which will include some diversity questions - which are for monitoring purposes only and will have no bearing on selection outcomes - along with the opportunity to identify your preferences in terms of the different Fast Stream schemes. You can choose up to three.

When you apply please register with a personal email address, and not a work or university email address.

Assessment Phases

There are 2 online tests:

Work-based scenarios - This test measures interpersonal skills, utilising video based scenarios and you are required to assess the effectiveness of various responses.

Case Study assessment - In this test you are required to take work based scenarios on an imaginary role, learning and responding to a series of challenges and situations and adapting to the changes you are presented with.

Additional information - depending on the schemes you have chosen, there may be additional information to be completed, or an intermediate sift process. More information on the schemes that require additional information can be found https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs-additional-information/

Fast Stream Assessment Centre - if you pass the above stages you'll be invited to attend a half day assessment centre. This will be conducted virtually online. The Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC) reflects some of the key elements of a Fast Stream role and will consist of a written exercise, oral briefing exercise and a personal development conversation. Information will be presented via an app that you will be able to access remotely.

Final Selection Board - most schemes will then require a Final Selection Board . We'll ask you to attend this final assessment if you reach the required standard at FSAC. More information on the Final Selection Boards can be found https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs-final-selection-board/

The Civil Service Fast Stream is committed to supporting you through the application process by offering a range of reasonable adjustments. For further information about reasonable adjustments through the Fast Stream application process, please visit our dedicated page - https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/fast-stream/fs-how-to-apply/fs-reasonable-adjustments/

If you need to contact us, please submit a request for help https://fsetatso.freshdesk.com/support/home

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.