Policy paper

UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans: terms of reference

Published 2 June 2026

These Terms of Reference have been revised from those previously set in March 2025, with relevant updates, to reflect current needs and circumstances.

Justification for the role and background

Instability and the potential for violence/conflict in the Western Balkans remain strategic risks to the UK and our NATO allies. Russia seeks to undermine the West and fans ethnic tensions. Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo are unresolved; normalisation processes are stalled, creating escalation risks. In Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), we have seen attempts to undermine the Dayton settlement that has maintained peace since the mid-1990s. Serious and organised crime groups from the region, particularly Albania, pose direct threats to the UK. There is a significant level of transitory migration through the Western Balkans, with impacts on the UK. The region’s wider Euro-Atlantic integration is uneven; EU accession aspirations for some Western Balkans countries are hampered by delays in internal reforms, poor governance and regional antagonism.

The UK has had a longstanding role in the Western Balkans region, including through the conflicts of the 1990s, Dayton Peace Agreement, recognition of Kosovo and to the present day. We have an important role to play in conjunction with our allies to: reduce the risks of conflict/violence; tackle organised crime and irregular migration; promote open, inclusive and democratic societies that share our values and support alignment of Western Balkans countries with Euro-Atlantic structures; encourage growth and co-operation in the region; and push back on Russian disinformation and covert support to disruptors. The UK’s hosting of the 2025 Berlin Process was a visible signal of the UK Government’s commitment to the region and achieved mutually beneficial progress on security, migration and growth objectives and efforts on gender equality. Building on that legacy, in harness with regional and other partners, will be a priority.  We are seeking to engage international partners to maintain constructive commitments and roles.

The role

1. The Special Envoy will:

(i) Visibly demonstrate UK engagement across the Western Balkans, with regular travel and meetings with top level politicians and other key opinion-formers and those with influence, to advance UK objectives, and further develop regional perspectives in the context of enhancing regional stability and security.

(ii) Support UK Ambassadors in the region and cross-HMG Departments to further develop strategic partnerships with Western Balkans countries that create leverage for priority UK objectives and interests. Support co-ordination of strategic cross-HMG work on regional and bilateral approaches on the Western Balkans, including for NSC / NSC(O).  Complement efforts to empower women and girls and promote gender equality, as a cross-cutting theme.

(iii) Engage envoy and other senior counterparts in the US, EU / EU Member States, European allies, NATO and NATO allies, OSCE and the UN, to formulate, coordinate and execute policy in the Western Balkans, (including through the Berlin Process and follow-up to the UK’s 2025 hosting).  Support stronger relationships with the EU and European countries through our engagement and collaboration on Western Balkans issues and the EU/UK Strategic Consultations.

(iv) In BiH, help reduce risks of instability and violence, promote a basis for longer-term stability and promote Euro-Atlantic integration, in close coordination with the High Representative and other international actors on the ground, including the EUFOR mission, NATO, OSCE and UN.

(v) Support and complement the goals of the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia towards a comprehensive and sustainable settlement, through actions and initiatives that promote conditions for normalisation of relations.  Work with Quint partners to co-ordinate consistent approaches, messaging and engagement with Kosovo and Serbia, and to develop incentives for normalisation and fulfilment of Dialogue commitments. Work in co-ordination with regional and international partners including the EU Special Representative, NATO, OSCE, and UN on the objectives above, and  to mitigate/prevent escalations of tensions between Kosovo and Serbia that could increase the risks of violence and instability.

(vi) Reinforce UK commitment to the region in the face of security threats, including promoting UK partnerships on regional resilience to deter hostile state actors, hybrid and cyber threats, supporting wider efforts to strengthen UK defence relationships in the region (particularly with NATO allies) and addressing threats to the UK posed by Organised Immigration Crime.  Engagement with NATO HQ with a view to bolstering NATO’s regional role.

(vii) Promote efforts to strengthen democratic and inclusive societies, including for security and stability objectives and countering hostile state influences.

(viii) Represent the UK at key relevant international events and conferences focused on the Western Balkans region. Priority events and engagements to be discussed with the Department and Ministers.

(ix) In coordination with FCDO Ministers, engage UK parliamentarians with an interest in the region, including partnering with those with relevant insight and expertise. Engage European Parliament, NATO and OSCE Assemblies, and national parliaments (especially US Congress).

(x) Drive policy formulation on Western Balkans issues, in conjunction with Western Balkans Department.

Timelines 

2. Within 3 months of appointment the role-holder should have:

• serviced established relationships with leading figures in the Western Balkans countries (Albania, BiH, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia), including through visits and other engagements
• maintained effective working relationships with Envoy counterparts in key international partner countries and other key international figures, including BiH High Representative
• updated FCDO Ministers on progress on the objectives set out at paragraph 3 (and quarterly thereafter)
• re-established a mutually-agreed rhythm of regular communication/engagement with the Minister of State (Europe, North America and Overseas Territories)

Skills and experience required

3. The appointee will:

• develop and maintain a set of high-level contacts at Prime Ministerial/Presidential and senior ministerial levels in Western Balkans countries
• hold a deep and significant understanding of the region – its issues, personalities and related international dynamics, drawing on FCDO Research Analysts’ and others’ expertise
• be perceived in the region as non-partisan (e.g. able to engage as an honest broker in both Serbia and Kosovo)
• be seen as a credible and high-profile figure within the UK, with the ear of the Foreign Secretary, other Ministers, National Security Adviser and Prime Minister as appropriate, and among international partners
• be willing to travel to the region regularly and, as necessary, elsewhere to support key engagements

Governance and terms of engagement

4. As UK Special Envoy, the role holder is appointed by, and acts on behalf of, the Foreign Secretary and will report on a regular basis to the Foreign Secretary and Minister of State (Europe, North America and Overseas Territories) on progress, in addition to ad hoc reports on important issues arising (or following notable engagements as Special Envoy). Reports to the Foreign Secretary should be sent to the Foreign Secretary’s office, copied to the Minister of State (Europe, North America and Overseas Territories), ensuring relevant FCDO Ministers and Special Advisers are offered the chance to comment.

5. As Special Envoy the role holder will communicate regularly (at least monthly) with the Minister of State (Europe, North America and Overseas Territories) and consult on Western Balkans issues, including stakeholder and media engagement, official visits and Parliamentary business.

6. The role-holder will work with FCDO and other Whitehall Ministers as appropriate.  FCDO geographical ministers will continue to cover the region as part of their engagement, conducting country visits, and representing the Government in Parliament. They will retain Ministerial responsibility for and oversight of this policy area, including international engagement.

7. Travel plans and other priorities for the Special Envoy will be discussed with the Department and co-ordinated with the Minister of State (Europe, North America and Overseas Territories), on a quarterly basis, with ad hoc amendments to those plans agreed with Western Balkans Department of the FCDO

8. The Special Envoy will work closely with FCDO officials on preparing engagements and associated arrangements, representation of UK policy, and commit to reporting relevant information and meeting readouts back into Departmental channels. The Special Envoy will be consulted on policy formulation and recommendations, and advice on Western Balkans-related issues.

9. The role holder’s FCDO SCS sponsor will be the relevant Deputy Europe Director with responsibility for the Western Balkans.

Resourcing   

10. The administrative costs of the role, including any provision of a Private Office, office space, phone and laptop will be the responsibility of Europe Directorate, FCDO. This team will provide regional policy and engagement advice and facilitate access to other regional teams across Whitehall and the Agencies.

11. Europe Directorate will cover the costs of any travel undertaken in the capacity of UK Special Envoy, in order to carry out objectives set by the Foreign Secretary / Minister of State / the Department. Europe Directorate will cover travel and related expenses in line with FCDO Duty Travel and Expenses policies.

Duration and remuneration  

12. This will initially be a 12-month appointment with the option of extending subject to FCDO ministers’ approval. Ministers retain the right to review the position in line with guidance on Direct Ministerial Appointments.

13. The role will be on a part-time basis, averaging 2.5 days per week. The role holder will have flexibility to determine working frequency within this and according to business need; but the role holder will not receive remuneration for more than an average of 2.5 days per week over the course of 12 months.

14. The nominal salary will be £172,124, but pro-rated as per paragraph 15 above, and paid equally across 12 months.  The role holder will be paid through FCDO payroll as a fee paid employee, with tax and National Insurance deducted at source and without eligibility for other employee benefits.

15. Where the Special Envoy is asked to carry out additional tasks for the FCDO (e.g. by the PUS) this will be covered within the terms set out above.