Attaché training
The attaché training is after the Regulation on the history, education and examination for the higher Foreign Service prescribed preparatory service .
Preparatory service
The preparatory service lasts one year and two months and consists of the parts
- Theoretical courses in the subjects of history / politics, economics and international and European law and practical professional topics,
- Language training in at least English and French,
- Legal education and
- Practical training.
Theoretical training
In the theoretical courses, the specialist knowledge required to complete the tasks is imparted. They are to be conveyed in a practical way. In particular, communication skills and personnel management should be trained (e.g. through rhetoric courses). In addition, cultural events are attended, study trips carried out at home and abroad and business enterprises visited.
Language training
English and French are taught in more depth. The attaché should be fluent in these languages. If possible, he should learn another language.
Legal education
Applicants are introduced to law in general and consular law in particular, depending on their previous education . Attachés who are not qualified to act as judges are made particularly familiar with the areas of law for which the Federal Foreign Office has to grant authorization. Otherwise they are not allowed to perform these tasks and are not allowed to be authorized. You need authorization in the following cases:
- Notarization of declarations of intent and affidavits
- Receipt of statements
- Acceptance of affidavits
- Conduct interrogations and hearings intended to replace a judicial interrogation
- Recording of declarations
- Swearing in persons.
Practical training
The practical training is carried out at diplomatic missions abroad and at headquarters. The implementation at the Bundestag, at other authorities and in business can be approved.
exam
The career examination consists of four specialist examinations, the language tests in English and French and the final examination.
The subject examinations take place after the corresponding courses, the language exams after the language course or after the stay abroad and the final examination at the end of the preparatory service.
Subject exams take place in the subjects
- History / politics,
- Economics,
- International and European law and
- Legal and consular services take place.
They consist of a written and an oral part. The written part lasts between three and four hours, the oral part 20 minutes.
Language exams are held in English and French. They consist of two written papers and an oral exam each. In the oral examination, the attaché has to read and translate a difficult text, prove that he can converse in the foreign language and perform an official act in the foreign language in a role play.
The final examination consists of two parts: In the first part, the candidate receives a file from the Foreign Service the day before the examination, the contents of which he has to summarize and propose and justify a decision. This exam consists of a short presentation. In the second part he has to take an oral exam. Questions are asked about historical, political, economic, legal, organizational and other specialist areas that are important for the Foreign Service. In addition, questions on current topics must be answered and linked to the subject matter from the subject exams. The file presentation counts one third, the oral examination two thirds.
career
If the attaché has passed all the examinations and has been accepted into the Foreign Service, he is appointed legation councilor or consul (grade A 13). Civil servants who were hired as civil servants on a probationary basis up to February 12, 2009, will instead use the title of legation secretary or vice-consul (grade A 13) until the end of the probationary period.
Other possible offices are Legation Council First Class, Consul First Class (A 14), Lecturing Legation Councilor, Counselor, Envoy , Consul General and Ambassador (A 15), Lecturing Legation Council First Class, Counselor First Class, Envoy, Consul General, Ambassador (A 16 and, with the exception of Counselor First Class, also B 3), Ministerial Conductor , Envoy, Consul General, Ambassador (B 6), Ministerial Director , Ambassador (B 9) and finally State Secretary (B 11).