View Vacancy - Consular Officer, B3, New Delhi

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

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.

Please note that due to Covid-19 outbreak, the start date of employment mentioned in the advert is tentative, subject to normal business of British High Commission. All recruitment campaigns will remain open for applications, we will progress the recruitment process as swiftly as possible and continue to review all applications, monitor progress and developments. We will be in touch with you for the interviews/ should there be further updates on the application, however given the circumstances, kindly expect some delay in response and please reach out to if you have any further questions.

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 Northern India, and the surrounding states. 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.
  • Keep up to date with new policy on assistance work.
  • Provide resilience and support for colleagues elsewhere in India and in the wider MENASA region (Middle East, North Africa and South Asia). 

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. 

Crisis: 20%

  • Work on crisis planning and develop working-level contacts in Northern India (e.g. other diplomatic missions, the travel industry, police and wardens).
  • Work with the Corporate Services Manager to review and check crisis IT and equipment. Ensure that the grab bags are fit for purpose.
  • 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.  The successful candidate will be based in New Delhi and be part of the Northern and Eastern Indian consular team. The job holder will be managed by the Head of Consular Operations based in New Delhi.

 

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

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 provide 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, hospitals and 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 MENASA Consular Network and the  Global Consular Team. The job offers the opportunity for travel across Northern 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 always starts at 0900 and ends at 1700. It will occasionally require working outside normal core working hours and also travel at short notice. You will need to be prepared to respond to calls from our Global Response Centre out of hours. You will have the opportunity to support the other consular teams in India with 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. Some of this mandatory training will take place in the UK and other MENASA countries.

 

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 will 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.  In return you will be working with a great team of people, doing rewarding and important work that really makes a difference.  In an organisation that values diversity and provides opportunities for professional and personal development.

Language requirements:

 

Language:  English – high proficiency, both written and oral. Competency in spoken Punjabi with knowledge of other North Indian languages would be an advantage.  

Level of language required:  English - Extensive 

Essential on arrival:  

EDUCATION:

  • Be a graduate with at least 3 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.
  • Previous experience in similar profile is desirable

Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service
6 October 2021
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
40
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
New Delhi
British High Commission
1
INR
INR 67,767 per month plus 12% provident fund and 6% Superannuation Fund
1 November 2021

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

For other than BHC candidates, Basic Salary will be INR 67,767 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 INR 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family.

No relocation or any other related costs or assistance will be provided.

Please note - BHC does not deduct tax at source and employees are required to ensure that any requirements of local income-tax law are complied with in full. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg. some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount.    

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 forces are 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.

Note : All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the complete online application form including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the application forms only for all the required details. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage.’’

To Apply: 

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

A. Complete the Online Application Form

B. Complete the Motivation and Competency Segment in the Online Application Form

Internal candidates applying for this position need to upload their appraisal forms for the previous 2 years (if applicable) and also inform their current line managers, else the applications will not be considered.

We will accept only online applications by 6 Oct 2021 till 23:55 IST

Please note that all the applicants will be required to strictly adhere to the security guidelines for British High Commission. 

Please note - Provident Fund Transfer in and out from EPFO is not possible as BHC PF is managed by a private PF trust governed by Indian Income Tax Act, 1961. The staff still has the option to transfer out and in from a privately held PF trust which are not governed by EPFO.

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, medical, 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.