View Vacancy - Vice-Consul / Consular Manager (DEU22.395)

The British Consulate-General Dusseldorf is part of a worldwide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. We are seeking a dynamic and customer-oriented Consular Manager (Vice Consul) to lead and deliver first class customer service, through the provision of consular assistance and services to resident and visiting British nationals in Germany.

The successful applicant will be working together with the Vice-Consul in Berlin to form a dual-leadership and manage day to day consular operations across Germany, build and maintain relationships with external stakeholders and agencies and deliver a targeted prevention programme to advise and inform on our wider consular priorities. The role will involve interaction with members of the public, local, regional and UK authorities as well as being a fully engaged member of the DACH (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) consular sub-region and wider EuroAsia Network, contributing to the delivery of the country/regional business plan, the wider corporate goals of the Germany Network (British Embassy & Consulates-General) and the delivery of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO’s) Consular Strategy.  As a Head of Section, the role will also require collaboration across departments, including engagement with senior management on a regular basis. The Vice-Consul will report to, and be managed by, the Consular Regional Operations Manager (CROM) based in Munich.

You will join a supportive, diverse team with a culture of continuous improvement and taking responsibility for personal learning and development. We work as one team across Germany, and value a diverse range of skills and backgrounds. Consular Assistance is a challenging and very rewarding job. Our work is constantly evolving providing us with exciting opportunities. We look forward to working with someone who would like to further shape the future with us. 

Roles and responsibilities:

• Management and development of the consular team in Germany, providing effective leadership, support and guidance. Line management responsibility for consular staff in Dusseldorf and Munich (remotely);
• To improve processes to deliver a more efficient service, manage a budget, and provide a range of fee bearing services. Make recommendations to senior management for innovative ways to deliver professional and targeted consular service to residents and visitors in Germany;
• Leading on complex/high profile cases involving vulnerable British Nationals and overseeing and provide guidance to the consular team, including Honorary Consuls, in accordance with our guidance and policies;
• Support British nationals and their families, for example in case of bereavement ; providing assistance to destitute British people; supporting victims of crime and people who have been hospitalised; as well as assisting victims of rape & sexual assault, domestic violence, prisoners and people with mental health needs. Please note this could require visits in challenging environments; and some cases will have media/parliamentary interest;
• Develop and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with all external stakeholders in Germany to support the delivery of day-to-day consular assistance and crisis response; monitor trends in casework to identify outreach priorities and lead on all outreach and prevention initiatives;
• Plan and deliver consular prevention initiatives and communication campaigns, engaging with the Embassy’s communication team and feeding consular messages through Embassy social media channels where appropriate;
• Managing Consular Services such as issuing Emergency Travel Documents to British Nationals and officiating Citizenship Ceremonies for new British Nationals. Provide notarial and documentary services in Germany;
• Lead on Consular aspects of the whole of mission response to a crisis or incident in Germany, such as crisis preparedness activities including liaising with authorities and updating the Crisis Management Plan with the Regional Crisis Advisor and Consular Regional Operations Manager. Work closely with colleagues across our three posts;
• Provide resilience and support with case handling to colleagues in the DACH and EuroAsia Consular region; providing remote cover for other posts on an ad hoc basis, and possibly deploying to provide physical services if agreed with the Consular Regional Operations Manager;
• This position will require travel meeting key stakeholders and consular customers throughout the year;
• Provide out of hours assistance to emergency consular cases as appropriate;
• Any other duties that may reasonably be required in support of the wider work of the Consulate-General, including crisis work.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Line management of 3 Consular Officers 1 staff member in Dusseldorf, 2 remotely in Munich. Support the management of 7 Honorary Consuls;
• Joint management of local consular budget for travel and prevention activity.

• Proficiency in English and German (both written and spoken, minimum of C2 level for CEFR framework);
• 3+ years of relevant work experience (to include working with the public and staff management skills); 
• A strong team player with previous line management experience;
• Excellent communication skills; both written and oral, including the ability to communicate at all levels;
• Proactive, adaptable and the ability to work across small teams;
• Initiative, drive & determination with superior problem solving skills, sound judgement, common sense and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Experience dealing with distressed individuals;
• Proven ability to prioritise, effectively manage and execute multiple tasks;
• Proven ability to demonstrate initiative and self-motivation;
• Proficiency in MS Office 365 Applications.