Attracting Top Talent to Continue Representing Singapore in Diplomacy
Ministry of Foreign AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns strategies to attract top diplomatic talent, as raised by Mr Christopher de Souza regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' recruitment and retention efforts. Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan responded that the Foreign Service provides young officers with early, high-level exposure through international conferences and overseas postings. To address competition from the private sector, the Ministry regularly reviews its career schemes and remuneration packages to ensure the Foreign Service remains an attractive profession. Active recruitment is maintained through targeted outreach programmes and internships at headquarters and overseas missions to identify individuals capable of navigating a volatile global environment. The Minister concluded that beyond tangible benefits, officers are motivated by the honour and professional fulfillment derived from representing Singapore’s national interests on the global stage.
Transcript
9 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs what is the Ministry doing to attract the top talent needed to continue representing Singapore in diplomacy at home and overseas.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The Foreign Service offers unique opportunities for our officers to represent Singapore on the global stage. Our Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) have to respond swiftly and astutely to emerging developments around the world that have consequential impact on Singapore's national interests and the well-being of Singaporeans.
Young FSOs are given opportunities to represent Singapore early in their careers through engagement with foreign counterparts at international conferences like the United Nations General Assembly and ASEAN meetings and postings to Overseas Missions. It is thus critical that we continue to recruit top talent to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) with the necessary attributes to operate in a complex, volatile global environment.
MFA continually reviews our career schemes to meet the challenges posed by the increased competition for talent. Foreign Service Officers are in demand in many other fields, including the private sector, because of their training, experience and versatility. We review our Foreign Service remuneration package regularly to ensure that we remain competitive.
We will continue to actively recruit top talent through our outreach programmes and internships conducted in MFA's Headquarters and at our Overseas Missions. Beyond tangible elements, it is the honour of representing our nation and sense of fulfilment that motivates all MFA officers.