View Vacancy - Pro Consul (POL21.397)

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

Poland is an important partner for the UK. The British Embassy Warsaw works to develop relations between all parts of Poland and all parts of the UK. Our work covers the breadth of the bilateral relationship, including political, commercial, security and economic issues of interest to both the UK and Poland, which we deliver under the framework of a Country Strategy setting out key objectives. Roles and responsibilities might evolve, in line with the Country Strategy.

The British Embassy Warsaw is committed to being an inclusive employer. We actively champion diversity and UK values, internally and externally. We value team working, flexibility, responsibility and creativity, as well as everyone’s contribution to making the Embassy a great place to work, where our people get good training and fulfil their potential. We have a strong Learning and Development culture, organise regular in-house training opportunities, and encourage staff to take on opportunities for development.

The British Embassy in Poland is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to recruit a Pro Consul.

We are looking for an independent, well organised and proactive Pro-Consul with prior experience in customer service for the Consular Section at the British Embassy in Warsaw. The job holder will be providing modern and efficient consular assistance and fee-bearing services to British Nationals in Poland and contribute to the delivery of regional consular business plan and the country business plan. We expect the candidate to participate in more strategic communication strategies and to use his/her lobbying and influencing skills with higher level stakeholders.

The job holder would furthermore be expected to contribute to wider Consular Network and Embassy objectives and to support its positive working environment and to actively participate in Learning & Development efforts.

The Consular team in Warsaw is part of the wider EuroAsia Consular region.

Roles and Responsibilities

Administration

  • Managing online appointments booking system;
  • Updating/maintaining the consular content on GOV.uk for Poland such as living in guides, prisoner pack, bereavement pack, informative notes in order to be able to signpost British Nationals to the relevant information; ensuring all information and lists provided are accurate and up to date;
  • Organise and update consular information (Consular/Crisis Contact list, GRC information, Consular Hub);
  • Handling of incoming mail, including (death) notifications and Lost/stolen/recovered passports;
  • Printing and issuing Emergency Travel Documents, including working stock responsibilities;
  • Administering Service of Process

Notarial work and documentary services

  • Preparing paperwork for all fee-bearing services according to latest guidance
  • Signing fee-bearing services where applicable;
  • Interviewing and issuing Affidavits.

Crisis

  • Updating the consular elements of the Crisis Management Plan (CMP) and taking part in Post/Section crisis preparedness activities (CMP, Crisis Hub training; crisis exercises organised by partners);
  • Assisting in Post preparation and response to large-scale events, responding to mass casualty incidents or crises (Crisis Field team officer and Deputy Consular Manager).

Corporate

  • Participate in relevant corporate structures 1) as part of corporate responsibilities and 2) as part of personal development;
  • To undertake other duties that may reasonably be required and which are in accordance with the grading and core competencies of the job;
  • Participate in delivering the regional Business Plan as well as having strong interest in the Embassy Business Plan.
  • Fluency in Polish and English (both oral and written, minimum C1 level*);
  • Good communication, interpersonal and team working skills;
  • Self motivated and able to work effectively and proactively without close supervision;
  • IT skills, especially Office 365;
  • Excellent organisational and time management skills;
  • Ability to display a high level of discretion and responsibility.
  • Professional background in social work and/ or providing support to others would be an advantage
  • Customer service: previous experience in a customer facing role and ability to response to a wide range of customer needs
  • Good general knowledge of the Polish administrative system, including the justice system, laws and regulations, and social services
  • Flexibility, resilience, patience, and the ability to deal with difficult situations, including the ability to work unsocial hours in an emergency or crisis
  • Adaptability and a positive mindset towards change and working as part of a wider team
  • Higher education
  • Previous working experience in a similar role in an international environment is highly desirable

19 September 2021
Administrative Officer (AO)
Part-Time, Fixed term, with possibility of renewal
18.75
Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia
Poland
Warsaw
British Embassy
1
PLN
3315
1 November 2021

This is a part-time fixed-term position of 5 days (18.75 net per week) for 2 years with the possibility of renewal by mutual agreement.

Working patterns

BE Warsaw has a strong commitment to work/life balance. Office hours are 8:30 – 16:30, staff are encouraged to leave on time. Flexi-hours are also possible within the Embassy building’s opening hours (0800-1800).

We have mobile technology and most staff in the team work from home one day a week in normal circumstances.

Foreseen working pattern for this part-time position: every weekday for half a day or 2.5 full days per week or 2-3 full days every second week, all to be agreed with the line manager

The gross salary for this position is PLN 3,315 gross per month. Working hours are flexible and staff are entitled to time-off-in-lieu for agreed extra hours worked. The annual leave entitlement is 20 or 26 days per year pro rata and the Embassy also enjoys a maximum of 14 Polish / UK public holidays per year.

Please note that staff members are responsible for paying any income tax required by the local law.

The successful candidate will be subject to the Polish references check and satisfactory completion of a probationary period of three months.

Candidates must have pre-existing right to live and work in Poland for the duration of the job offer in order to apply. The British Embassy does not sponsor work permits.

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy in Warsaw are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to Polish employment law.

Visa / Passport requirements:

Candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Poland and be prepared to ensure that right remains throughout the scope of the contract. Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the legal requirements to live and work in this country.

Training

Training on the job will be provided as well as the full suite of Consular training courses, including, but not limited to:

  • Civil Service e-Learning
  • Essential Assistance Work e-learning
  • Casebook e-Learning
  • Bridge e-Learning
  • Crisis Management e-Learning
  • Essential Assistance Work (workshop in London)

Please be advised that Consular positions at the FCDO entail dealing with casework in situations that may involve death, detention, rape, assault, post-mortems, prison visits and highly distressed customers.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.

We advise you to allow enough time to complete and submit your full application, since only applications completed and submitted before the deadline will be considered.

Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.

Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.

Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  indicates Level C2 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFRPlease bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.

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.