Working for British Embassy Doha

General information

Working at the British Embassy offers a unique and rewarding opportunity to grow professionally while collaborating with a talented group of individuals.

Civil Services competences and the selection process

Selection is based on the overall suitability of the candidate against the skills, qualifications and competences required in the position, as may be demonstrated by applicants through the application form and the interview. The specific requirements for each position can be found in the job description.

We recommend all applicants understand the Civil Service competences before applying for any role and in preparation for interviews.

Due to the large volume of applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview, which may also consist of a written test relevant to the role. Details will be provided at the time of short-listing. All interviews are conducted in English by a panel, usually made up of three members of staff.

All interviewed candidates will be contacted approximately two weeks after interview to inform them whether or not they have been successful. More detailed feedback can be obtained from our Recruitment Team upon request.

Jobs and lottery frauds! Beware

If the offer sounds too good to be true…beware. It could be a scam.

A number of people have reported to us that they are being cheated with job offers and lotteries that do not exist. Stop and think before you part with your money, your passport, your personal details or your current job.

Many scams may appear to come from the UK, but the criminals behind the scam are actually based in other countries.

It is likely to be a scam if:

  • you receive an offer of a job about which you have no prior knowledge
  • you receive an offer by email
  • you are asked for your bank account details by email or phone
  • you are offered cash in exchange for bank account details
  • you are told you have won a lottery, but you have not bought a ticket

If you receive a scam email:

  • do not pay any money
  • do not have any further contact with the originators of the email - these people are professional criminals and their aim is to exploit you and take your money and/or your personal details

If you have been cheated because of a job or lottery scam:

  • report it to the local police authorities.

  • this is an international crime - investigations must be taken forward by the local police, CID and Interpol. The British Embassy has no jurisdiction to investigate or take out criminal prosecutions.

How to find out if a UK company is genuine

Some job scams can be very clever. Check the company’s details very carefully.

Genuine UK company websites may be provided, but the contact email addresses may be false. A genuine company name may be given, but the address will be wrong. For example: genuine website - www.ukvisas.gov.uk. False contact details - ukvisas@hotmail.co.uk

  • Genuine UK companies are officially registered and can be checked by logging on to www.companieshouse.gov.uk
  • Phone the company in the UK if you are approached about a UK job
  • Genuine UK companies do not give a mobile number for contact details. Request a landline number
  • UK company addresses can be checked by logging on to: www.upmystreet.com.uk
  • Most genuine UK companies do not use a hotmail or yahoo type email account.

Job offers from the UK Government

  • The UK Government, including UK Trade and Investment, does not send unsolicited emails with job offers - either direct or through agents. Government vacancies are advertised on official websites in the UK: www.careers-civilservice.gov.uk.
  • Some job scams falsely use the names and job titles of genuine Embassy staff. A genuine email from an official member of staff will always be sent from our official email address - @fcdo.gov.uk. It will never be sent from a hotmail or yahoo type email account.

Research UK jobs and terms and conditions of employment

Think about:

  • The credibility of the job offer you have received

Are the salary and benefits offered realistic? For example, for jobs in the hospitality sector, a monthly salary of £4,000 plus benefits of free car, free health insurance, free accommodation, free flights for you and your family, plus generous leave entitlements etc are simply not credible.

  • The recruitment procedure

Genuine UK companies normally have a rigorous recruitment procedure, including a face-to-face interview. They would not usually offer a job by email;

  • How you were contacted by the UK company

For example, if you met an employee in an internet chat room who then made you a job offer, this is very likely to be a scam.

Visa fees

  • Current visa fees are published on our Visa Application Centre website
  • Visa application forms are free of charge. Information and guidance on application procedures are published on www.vfs-uk.com.qa, www.ukvisas.gov.uk and www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk
  • British Embassy staff do not ask you for payment of fees directly. Visa fees are paid at VFS visa application centres where all applications are made. There are no “additional visa fees”
  • The UK Government does not provide or charge for “additional services” such as travel insurance, health screening checks, police checks, security checks etc.

Lottery scams

  • All genuine UK lotteries are registered and have websites
  • If you did not buy a ticket, you cannot win a lottery
  • UK lotteries do not email winners or refer to amounts won
  • Further advice on lottery-related frauds is available from the Gambling Commission: log on to www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk.

419 Scam

You should also be aware that the Metropolitan Police in the UK have set up a website to advise people on the email scam commonly known as the “419 Scam”. If you are concerned about this scam please visit the Metropolitan Police 419 site.

Current work opportunities

If you are interested in a job opportunity at the British Embassy in Doha or one of the other UK delegations, DIT offices, other government departments or consulates in Qatar, please visit the FCDO Local Staff vacancies website.

To filter the search for current vacancies, use the “Country/Territory” field on the left of the page and select the country you wish to search.

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

Staff recruited locally are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law.