An ambassador is the highest-ranking diplomat who represents a country in a foreign country or at an international organization.
They are usually appointed by their home governments and mandated to represent their country's interests, negotiate with foreign governments and promote friendly relations between their home country and the host country.
The terms "ambassador" and "diplomat" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct functions.
Diplomats work to promote their country's interests, negotiate treaties and agreements and participate in international organizations.
They can be of different ranks and hold various titles, such as consul, attaché, or chargé d'affaires.
In summary, while all ambassadors are diplomats, not all diplomats are ambassadors.
Ambassadors hold a higher rank and have more responsibilities than other types of diplomats.
These include speaking with one voice to others on their home country's policy and ensuring mission staff do likewise.
In the case of the US, ambassadors are tasked with providing to the President and Secretary of State expert guidance and frank counsel.
Ambassadors are also tasked with directing and coordinating all executive branch offices and personnel except those under military command, under a different chief of mission, or staff of international organizations.
They are also tasked with reviewing communications to or from mission elements and cooperating with legislative and judicial branches to ensure the home country's foreign policy goals are advanced.
It's also the role of an ambassador to take direct responsibility for the security of the mission in the host country, including security from terrorism, and protecting all government personnel on official duty.
It's under this mandate that embassies usually issue intelligence-based advisories to their citizens in host countries advising them against travelling to certain areas for security reasons.
Further, ambassadors are tasked with the careful usage of mission resources through regular reviews of programmes, personnel and funding levels.
They are also expected to serve citizens of their home countries with professional excellence, the highest standards of ethical conduct and diplomatic discretion.
It is also the mandate of ambassadors to reshape the mission to serve their country's interests and values and to ensure all executive branch agencies attached to the mission do likewise.
