View Vacancy - Consular Officer

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Consular Roles)
Consular

Main purpose of job:

We are here to help British people when they need us most, including in times of crisis.  This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a high performing team that makes a real difference to people’s lives. The main purpose of the job is to provide consular assistance to British nationals across Southern India (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry & Lakshadweep islands).  We want to reduce the number of preventable incidents, so developing partnerships and proactive prevention initiatives will be essential.  We value excellence, empathy and efficiency.

Roles and responsibilities :

Assistance: 60%

  • Lead on consular assistance casework, support British nationals and their families with tact, emotional awareness and in line with consular guidance and the Consular Strategy 2016-2020.  
  • Work effectively with internal and external partners to provide a professional service, which is tailored to each individual’s needs. 
  • Ensure all assistance cases are entered promptly into our database and a vulnerability assessment is carried out.
  • Process Emergency Travel Document (ETD) applications. 
  • Keep up to date with new policy on assistance work and Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs)
  • Provide resilience and support for colleagues, and when required manage the workload in the absence of the Head of Section.

Network & Communications 20%

  • Active involvement in the formulation and promotion of prevention initiatives, including the use of social media communication campaigns.
  • Analyse and measure the impact of our prevention initiatives and prepare reports to illustrate this.  
  • Plan and attend meetings, receptions and outreach visits to promote our services and develop contacts to enhance our effectiveness.
  • Maintain partnerships with existing NGOs and key external stakeholders, and identify new ones to collaborate with.  Develop working-level contacts with local authorities and other diplomatic missions. Build contacts with external stakeholders such as airlines, tour operators, welfare authorities, local charities, and British community groups.

Resources & Administration: 10%

  • Joint responsibility of Emergency Travel Document Working Stock custodian.
  • Ensuring reconciliation of all payments by cash and credit card, preparation of Consular cash certificates.

Crisis: 10%

  • Work on crisis planning and develop working-level contacts in Southern India (e.g. other diplomatic missions, the travel industry, police and wardens).
  • Work with the Deputy Corporate Services Manager to review and check crisis IT and equipment. Ensure that the grab bags are fit for purpose.
  • Work with the Head of Section and Regional Crisis Adviser to organise and deliver training to consular volunteers and participate in crisis exercises.
  • During a crisis obtain, verify and update information through key contacts and deploy to assist British nationals when it is safe to do so. 

What we do:

This is a really exciting opportunity to be part of a  high performing Consular Team that makes a real difference to people’s lives in  Southern India.

Consular Excellence is about providing high quality, modern, cost effective and efficient support to British nationals overseas.

Among other areas, the Consular Strategy 2016 – 2020 focuses on:

  • Helping reduce the number of preventable incidents before they happen and help minimise the risk to British people overseas.
  • Helping British people take responsibility for travelling, living and working overseas safely.
  • Providing professional and tailored assistance to British people when they most need our help including in times of crisis.

What we want from you?

The role calls for someone who can work independently, is highly motivated with excellent communication skills and has the ability to providing assistance to British nationals when they are at their most distressed and vulnerable. It is tough work and can be emotionally draining – but it is also extremely rewarding.

You will need to be pro-active and take responsibility for your own work. You will also be required to engage on complex and high profile cases so there will be times when you will be called upon to attend court hearings; prisons; and hospitals; government offices. The work is unpredictable and varied, so we need someone who is open minded, sympathetic and prepared for any situation. You need to be a clear and persuasive communicator and have the ability to manage relationships with a range of customers, stakeholders and colleagues across India, the wider South Asia region and London.

As well as being part of the consular team in India you will also be part of the Middle East, North Africa & South Asia (MENASA) Network, as well as part of the Global Consular Team. The job offers the opportunity for travel across Southern India, building key partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.   Due to the nature of consular work it is difficult to predict when someone will need our assistance so this is not a job that starts and ends at 0830-1630 and it occasionally might require travel at short notice. You will need to be prepared to respond to calls from our Global Response Centre out of hours. You’ll also when necessary support the rest of the India consular teams on high profile /complex cases.   You will have the opportunity to volunteer to provide resilience to other teams across MENASA. 

All mandatory training will be provided along with a variety of developmental opportunities.  We actively encourage our staff to take part in learning and development opportunities.  

So we need someone who is pro-active and able to deliver results; can work with a varied group of stakeholders and find innovative solutions to problems; at times in different posts, with colleagues from different backgrounds and cultures. To do this, you’ll be flexible, resilient under pressure, and a strong team layer. You will get the tools and support you need to achieve all of the above. 

 

 

EDUCATION:

  • Be a graduate with at least 2 years of relevant experience (candidates without the required academic qualifications but with exceptional practical experience will be considered).
  • High proficiency in English Language communication – both written and verbal.
  • High capability in MS Office application – especially MS Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point.

EXPERIENCE:

  • Good communicator at all levels with excellent standards of written and spoken English;
  • Ability to work to deadlines with attention to detail & accuracy.
  • Strong customer service skills with ability to focus on the customer requirements.
  • Self starter with good interpersonal & time management skills.

Language requirements:

English  : High proficiency – both written and spoken

Level of English language required: Extensive

Others: Competency in spoken Tamil with knowledge of other South Indian languages would be an advantage.

30 July 2017
Executive Officer (EO)
Permanent
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
Chennai
British Deputy High Commission
1
INR
49635
1 September 2017

For BHC candidates, the LE BHC Terms & Conditions will apply.

For other than BHC candidates, Basic Salary will be ­­­­­­Rs.49635 per month together with a 12% provident fund and 6% Superannuation Fund.

Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with Rs 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family. 

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance. 

Around half of our work force is women.  We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment. 

This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best. 

Learning and development opportunities :

Wide range of development opportunities supported through exposure to regional Learning & Development programme under the 70/20/10 principle. Mandatory training/guidance and e-learning will be provided on systems e.g. Casebook, Prism, Share Point and a range of consular and crisis training will be provided within the first 6 months.

Any other information:

Security Clearance Level required: Official level

Must have a Valid Passport

 

To apply:

  • Please note applications without (a), (b) and (c) will not be considered.

(a)   Complete the Online Job Application Form

(b)   Complete the Motivation section in the online application form (no more than 600 words) setting out why you are the suitable person for this role. Your statement should include clear examples of how you meet the key competences.

(c)   Attach a detailed CV

We will accept only online applications by ­­“___30th July___” midnight.

  • Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.
  • The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.