Source · Select Committees · International Development Committee
Recommendation 38
38
Accepted
Commission rapid capacity assessment and recruit specialists to support overworked FCDO Programme Managers.
Conclusion
The FCDO must make every effort to ensure that its staff feel valued and appreciated within the organisation, particularly amidst budget insecurity. The Committee recommend that the FCDO commissions a rapid capacity assessment, and recruit or offer secondments to additional specialists to relieve overworked Programme Managers, rebalance workloads and bring better value to the taxpayer. (Recommendation, Paragraph 111) 50
Government Response Summary
The government agrees and is addressing staff value and workloads through FCDO2030 initiatives, including workforce planning, professional development, agile deployment models, and embedding advisors for program leadership. These actions aim to strengthen project delivery and provide surge support.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Agree. FCDO2030 represents a transformative portfolio of change projects designed to build a more technologically enabled, partnership-driven, and highly skilled organisation. In response to concerns about programme manager workloads, through FCDO2030, the Department is aligning workforce plans with strategic priorities, investing in professional development, and expanding access to expertise through agile deployment models and thematic one-stop shops. These initiatives include strengthening project delivery capability, new models for supporting smaller posts and providing surge support for others, offering industry-standard qualifications and accreditation for professional programme managers, and embedding advisors in key areas to provide robust leadership of programmes. Through strategic workforce planning and innovative support structures, FCDO2030 is positioning the organisation to deliver greater impact, VfM, and resilience in a changing development landscape.