Diplomats perform multidisciplinary duties that can be summarised in five functions: negotiate, represent, protect their nationals, promote friendly relations and gather information. Just like any other service list in the national civil service, to enter this profession candidates have to join the diplomatic corps through a competitive public examination.

Although it is a generalist career, it has two aspects that are performed alternatively and interchangeably: political duties, which involve representing Spain to other countries and organisations, and consular ones, which entail protecting Spanish citizens and entities abroad before the local authorities.
Their functions are governed by Article 3 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

• Represent the sending State, insofar as they are recognised as having the authority to perform their duties before the receiving State. This representation is symbolic, legal and political.
• Protect the interests of the sending State and its nationals in the receiving State within the limits allowed by international law.
• Negotiate with the government of the receiving State. Diplomatic negotiation is a process by which an agreement is reached about conflicting rights or interests.
• In the event of incidents, use all lawful means to find out about the status of events and developments in the receiving State and report to the government of the sending State.
• Promote friendly relations and develop economic, cultural and scientific relations between the sending and receiving States.
• A diplomat¿s other duties are to analyse current political affairs when assisting a Spaniard arrested abroad, process marriages of Spanish nationals in a consulate, contact the local authorities to ask for information, promote cultural events related to Spain, support Spanish companies, take part in negotiations, communicate with the media, oversee development aid projects and issue visas.

Regulated training and graduates

The educational profile of a diplomat is not very specific as any university degree will be sufficient. Subsequently candidates have to pass public competitive examinations. However, while there is no specific university degree, the most common qualifications for these professionals are:

• Degree in Law.

• Degree in Economics.

• Degree in Political Science and Government.

• Grau: Dret
• Grau: Ciències polítiques i de l'Administració
• Grau: Gestió i Administració pública
• Grau: Relacions internacionals
• Grau: Ciència política i gestió pública
• Grau: Publicitat i relacions públiques
• Grau: Comunicació

Complementary training

It is recommended that a diplomat, if serving in an embassy, consulate or other permanent representations abroad, should do additional training specific to the culture, economy and politics of the country to which they are posted.

Other specific skills

Diplomats must speak English and French and knowledge of another language is recommended. In addition, the level required in both languages will be equivalent to a native speaker.

It is recommended that a diplomat is an advanced Office, Outlook and browser user.

Strategic orientation: Level 4

Networking: Level 3

Negotiation: Level 3

Communication: Level 4

Learning and use of knowledge: Level 2

Concern for order and quality: Level 2

Legal

People who are interested in the legal field like occupations related to legislation and the law. This field of interest includes advising people and institutions in legal matters, representing them in judicial processes and managing the documentation and procedures necessary for these processes. Carrying out these activities entails the study and knowledge of legal regulations and matters in their various scopes of application.

Public Relations Manager

Lobbying expert

Project Manager

Institutional relations manager

European Union regulations specialist

• Work hours

  Diplomats have a working day of 8 hours per day, 5 days a week, but often must be available 24 hours a day. Diplomats often alternate periods abroad with periods at the central offices in Madrid. When posted abroad, they carry out their duties in an embassy, a consulate or a permanent representation to an international body. When in Madrid, the vast majority of diplomats are posted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Aid, although there are also diplomats posted to other institutions such as the Moncloa Palace or the Ministry of Defence.

• Salary

  Remuneration is calculated based on the salary scale for diplomatic personnel (tenured civil servants) and where the diplomat is posted. However, remuneration is between €80,000 and €160,000 gross per annum (although two-thirds of this is tax-free). This range is due to the fact that remuneration varies according to length of service and post. There are also extras such as housing, an official car, servants, etc.
  In the year when they enter Diplomatic School a diplomat will receive around €1,000 per month, and during the first year after passing the course their salary will not be greater than €50,000 per annum.
  

• Professional category

  Middle management