View Vacancy - Pro Consul, British Consulate-General Chicago, Consular
Main purpose of job:
Roles and responsibilities:
Seeking a dynamic and detail oriented Pro-Consul to join our busy team providing consular assistance to British nationals in the Midwest USA. Reporting to the Vice-Consul based in Chicago, but with occasional travel across the region, the successful applicant will play a key role in front-line service delivery, stakeholder management, and outreach initiatives, as well as making an effective contribution to the wider regional team.
- Providing consular assistance in accordance with current guidelines, including visiting British nationals in hospital or in jail, and providing support to family members following bereavement, a child abduction or custody matter, and providing advice and assistance following a rape or sexual assault.
- Maintaining case files on the corporate database and managing them to a satisfactory conclusion;
- Liaising with US authorities, members of the public and their legal representatives, airlines and British Government Departments in order to achieve strategic goals.
- Implementing an effective prevention strategy for the consular district and monitoring and reporting budget expenditure;
- Keeping the Vice-Consul informed of developments in cases;
- Representing the British government at consular related events in the Midwest area, including some public speaking duties.
- Maintaining close links with local authorities including, but not limited to, law enforcement, correctional facilities, medical examiners, hospitals, morgues, mental health facilities and airlines.
- Processing emergency passport applications and requests for notarial services.
- Exceptionally, participate in call-out arrangements for emergency cases out of hours when our Global Response Centre in London requests additional support.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Essential on arrival:
- The successful candidate must have 3+ years of relevant work experience (to include working with the public).
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to communicate at all levels.
- Ability to handle personal issues/information and deal with staff and clients in a friendly and sensitive manner
- Superior problem solving skills, sound judgement, common sense and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
- Ability to prioritise, effectively manage, and execute multiple tasks.
- Be able to work independently when Vice Consul is out of office.
- Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite is required.
- A good knowledge of multi-cultural Britain, its language, and geography.
- A valid driving licence and willingness to use your personal car for official duties (with expenses reimbursed).
- The successful candidate must also be available to attend a Consular training course for one full week in the UK within the first 3 months of employment.
Learning and development opportunities :
- The successful candidate must be available to attend a Consular training course for one full week in the UK within the first 3 months of employment.
- Various other training courses via FCOGlo specifically but not limited to Consular Skills Pathway.
Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy: www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.
*A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defence Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.
Working patterns:
24 hours per week Monday through Friday – 8.30am to 12.30pm Mon, Tues, Thurs, Friday. Wednesday 8.30am to 5pm.
Staff recruited locally are subject to terms and conditions of service in accordance with US, state, and/or local employment law.
Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply for a different position.
Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed.
The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
