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 seeking a dynamic and customer-oriented Consular Officer to join our busy Bridgetown team.  This is a challenging but rewarding role involving close collaboration with internal and external customers; sometimes in difficult circumstances. Excellent interpersonal skills are essential and a strong customer focus is required.

The successful applicant will be required to provide high quality support to British Nationals in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean within the full scope of our Consular Services. This includes, but is not limited to, assistance to British nationals, crisis response and public awareness/communication initiatives. The role involves interaction with members of the public, local and regional authorities, partners across government(s) as well as colleagues across the network and in London in order to fulfil the delivery of the UK Consular Strategy.

The job will involve travel across the Eastern Caribbean and beyond, sometimes at short notice during/outside of normal working hours. The Consular Officer reports to the Consular Services Manager (Vice-Consul).

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

  • Provide consular assistance in accordance with current guidelines, including visiting British nationals in hospital or jail, providing support following bereavement, child custody matters, sexual assault, and cases involving mental health issues.
  • Maintain close links with local authorities across various sectors including but not limited to tourism, security, medical and disaster management through working visits and regular engagement.
  • Support the Eastern Caribbean consular network in their provision of consular services.
  • Monitor and use the casework management system in accordance with guidance .
  • Contribute to casework strategy discussions, updating senior leadership on cases as necessary.
  • Proactively identify and deliver consular outreach initiatives, including representation at events and public speaking duties.
  • Maintain and update country information packs.
  • Maintain and monitor Consular digital content.
  • Review and process applications and appointments for consular services.
  • Accurately administer the Consular Officer component of the team budget.
  • Contribute to the Consular aspects of emergency plans ensuring emergency equipment is tested regularly and fit for purpose.
  • Respond to crisis events as necessary.
  • Provide regional resilience within the Americas Consular Network.
  • Provide out of hours assistance to emergency consular cases as advised by our Global Response Centre staff in Headquarters.

Essential on arrival:

  • Educated to A’Level/CAPE with a minimum of CXC/CSEC level passes in Maths and English Language
  • At least 3 years of relevant work experience (to include working with the public and demonstrable experience in handling difficult situations)
  • Excellent communication skills; both written and oral, including the ability to communicate at all levels
  • Proven ability to prioritise, effectively manage and execute multiple tasks
  • Proven ability to demonstrate initiative, good problem solving skills, sound judgement and the ability to remain calm under pressure
  • Proven ability to demonstrate initiative and self-motivation
  • The successful candidate must be available to attend all necessary training courses within the first 6 months of employment at specified location(s)
  • Proficiency in MS Office (minimum of MS Word and MS Excel)
  • A valid passport
  • Must have the legal status to live and work in Barbados

Desirable:

  • A relevant Bachelor's degree
  • Experience in public speaking duties
  • Experience of managing outreach programmes including undertaking a wide variety of public speaking duties
  • A valid driving licence
  • A good knowledge of multi-cultural Britain, its language, and geography.
Changing and Improving, Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together
29 June 2022
Administrative Officer (AO)
Full-time, Permanent
36
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
Barbados
Bridgetown
British High Commission
1
BDS $ 6,144.25
15 August 2022

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. 

Applicants must have the independent right to reside and work in Barbados.

The period of probation for this role is six months, though the British High Commission reserves the right to extend this period in order to fairly assess performance.

Full induction and coaching will be arranged for the successful applicant.

The salary for this position is $ 73, 731 Bds per annum.

A comprehensive mandatory pension plan is offered after successful completon of the probabtion period. Subject to plan provider approver, group medical coverage is offered after the first month of service.

Core office hours are 7.45am to 4.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8.00am to 1.00pm on Fridays.

Annual leave entitlement is 16 days rising to 20 days after one year of service. The BHC Bridgetown also observes a combination of up to 14 UK and local public holiday days.

The incumbent will be expected to demonstrate initiative and make difficult decisions independently, in a calm manner. Organisational skills are essential, as well as accuracy and attention to detail. The successful candidate will be expected to prioritise and exercise judgement in areas which fall within established practices and procedures for example, prison and hospital visiting, and take forward a broad range of other casework.

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed) not limited to:

•       Core Consular Mandatory Training: e-learning and self-study – Introduction to Consular work, Wellbeing, Resilience and Stress, Supporting Vulnerable People, Safeguarding Children, Assistance Guidance and other modules as set out on FCOGlo(the FCDO’s digital learning platform)  for Consular Officers at the time of hiring.

•       Other FCO Mandatory Training: Responsibility for Information, Diversity at Work, Health & Safety Awareness, Unconscious Bias, Disability Awareness, LBGTQ+ Awareness  and other modules as set out on FCOGlo for Consular Officers at the time of hiring.

•       Delivering Consular Services: Developing Consular Expertise  (one-week long mandatory course which is currently delivered at HQ/London), induction to the Consular IT systems,  Delivering Digital Consular Services, Effective Digital Content  and other modules as set out on FCOGlo for Consular Officers at the time of hiring.

•       Additional Consular and Crisis Management : variety of e-learning, workshops and videos will be provided

•       Induction segments: reading, discussion and mentorship

The role brings the opportunity to acquire knowledge of consular policy and practice. In addition, it offers the chance to develop widely applicable skills; for example in stakeholder management, presentation coordination and delivery and effective prioritisation. The Americas Consular Network places great emphasis on promoting learning and development. Additional L & D opportunities are presented for bidding on a regular basis through both the Post and Consular L & D programmes.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and an enriching learning and development opportunities.     

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.