Diplomatic rank
Because of diplomatic reciprocity, Great Powers would only send a minister to a smaller monarchy or a republic.
[12] Countries that overthrew their monarchs proved to be unwilling to accept the lower rank accorded to a republic.
The United States followed the French precedent in 1893, and began to exchange ambassadors with other Great Powers.
After several diplomatic incidents between their ambassadors, France and Spain agreed in 1761 to let the date of arrival determine their precedence.
In 1760, Portugal attempted to apply seniority to all ambassadors, but the rule was rejected by the other European courts.
Furthermore, outside this traditional pattern of bilateral diplomacy, as a rule on a permanent residency basis (though sometimes doubling elsewhere), certain ranks and positions were created specifically for multilateral diplomacy: Special envoys have been created ad hoc by individual countries, treaties and international organizations including the United Nations.
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consuls-General usually come from the Senior Executive Service, although in smaller posts the head of mission may be a BB4 officer.
However, when working abroad, it is common for Chancery Assistants and Chancery Officers to be assigned to sensitive functions, such as the Vice-Consul, and/or as Head of Sectors such as administration, accounting, communications, processing of political, commercial, diplomatic or consular information.
Embaixador / Embaixadora is the honorary dignity conceded permanently when a Minister of First Class assumes a Post overseas.
It can also be a temporary assignment, when carried on by a lower-rank diplomat or Brazilian politician of high level.
After the merger of the Consular and Diplomatic Corps, the current grades of Mexican career diplomats are (in ascending order) There are additional ranks for Administrative specialists and Staff, this civil servants are also part of the Mexican Foreign Service.
Being one of the most exclusive and sought-after roles in the entire Singapore Civil Service, FSO candidates are typically drawn from graduates of the world's top universities.
This is especially the case for candidates vying to be emplaced on the extremely competitive Political Track, of which only around 20 are recruited nationwide annually.
Given the above, FSOs typically occupy the managerial positions, while FSASes generally perform more operational roles.
Hence, even the rare FSAS who holds a senior diplomatic rank on post, will not enjoy a similar substantive grade or pay to that of an FSO.]
For instance, a First Secretary (Economic) would represent a middle-manager of Senior Assistant Director-rank from the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
While such persons may hold diplomatic status temporarily, they are not considered to be part of the career Foreign Service.
Overseas Ambassadors and High Commissioners (in Commonwealth countries) are generally drawn from all four SMS bands (and the D7 delegated grade) depending on the size and importance of the mission, as are Consuls-General, Deputy Heads of Mission, and Counsellors in larger posts.
(Deputy Heads of Mission at the most significant Embassies, for example those in Washington and in Paris, are known as Ministers.)
[27] Officers at these ranks may serve as ambassadors and occupy the most senior positions in diplomatic missions.
[29] Foreign Service Specialists are technical leaders and experts, commissioned by the Secretary of State.
While in the past, consular officials have often been more distant from the politically sensitive aspects of diplomacy, this is no longer necessarily the case, and career diplomats in consulates often perform the same roles as those in an embassy would.
Sending nations may also designate incumbents of certain positions as holding consulary authority by virtue of their office, while lacking individual accreditation, immunity and inviolability.
