Foreign affairs officer

About this occupation

Foreign affairs officers analyse foreign affairs policies and operations, and write reports outlining their analyses in a clear and comprehensible manner. They communicate with parties who benefit from their findings, and act as advisers in the development or implementation of or reporting on foreign policy. Foreign affairs officers may also perform administrative duties in the department, such as assisting with problems concerning passports and visas. They promote friendly and open communication between different nations' governments and institutions.

A specialisation of policy officer.

• Provide analytical support for policy briefs related to renewable energy, energy efficiency, or climate change.
• Propose new or modified policies involving use of traditional and alternative fuels, transportation of goods, and other factors relating to climate and climate change.
• Prepare study reports, memoranda, briefs, testimonies, or other written materials to inform government or environmental groups on environmental issues, such as climate change.
• Analyze and distill climate-related research findings to inform legislators, regulatory agencies, or other stakeholders.
• Make legislative recommendations related to climate change or environmental management, based on climate change policies, principles, programs, practices, and processes.
• Present climate-related information at public interest, governmental, or other meetings.

Typical education (US)

Master's Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 5 of 5

Interests

Investigative, Enterprising, Conventional

Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Writing, Speaking, Active Learning

US median pay: US$82,220 a year (2025), 89,250 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (4.0)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.5)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Master's Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.