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FCO Circular No: 452/90
Date: December 14 1990
DISTRIBUTION:
All Departments
For information :all Heads of Department
AD HOC SHORT-TERM APPOINTMENTS (PAID OR UNPAID)
1.
Recent enquiries suggest that Departments are uncertain of the procedure to be followed prior to the appointment of ad hoc advisers and representatives. Earlier guidance was included in Circular Home 'B' 8/65 of 13 February 1985.
2. It is important at the outset that no commitment be made by the FCO Department seeking to sponsor an appointment on ad hoc terms until Recruitment Section, PPD has given approval and Home Allowances Unit, PSD has granted financial authority. Following PSD and PPD agreement, the sponsoring Department should complete Sections 1-4 (inclusive) of revised Form XF61 (copy attached to this circular). This will provide a full job title/description; proposed starting and finishing dates, the recommended DS Grade equivalent; whether or not a fee is appropriate; personal details of any candidate the sponsoring Department may consider suitable and willing to be put forward for the appointment; the name of the sponsoring Department contact; information about travel; recommendations as to any entertainment allowance which might be appropriate and comments on the level of access to classified material. The sponsoring FCO department should obtain authority for the travel and subsistence costs from its AUS who should endorse Section
4.
3. Particular attention should be given to detail when estimating the cost of these short-term assignments. The calculation should take into account the fact that where payment is by an agreed daily fee any costs involved in travelling in the UK between home and the FCO, in connection with the appointment, will not normally be refunded. It will be the responsibility of the sponsoring department to alert PPD and PSD in those cases where the appointment is likely to be extended in such a way that the resulting claims will exceed the amount for which financial authority was originally granted on the XF61.
4.
When completed the XP61 form should be sent to Recruitment Section, PPD, for written approval of the appointment. PPD will also determine the appropriate level
PPHAZO