View Vacancy - CPK - Pro-Consul, A2 (L)

Main purpose of job:

As Pro-Consul and a member of the Consular Section, you will be a part of the team that is responsible for ensuring that a high quality consular service is delivered to British nationals in the Beijing Consular District. You will work closely with the Vice-Consul, assisting in delivering post’s objectives under the Consular Strategy and China-wide business plans.

The jobholder will work with minimal supervision, making operation judgement decisions in consultation with senior officers, the Regional Consular Manager and Consular Directorate in London. They will be the main and first point of contact for most Consular matters in this district from external contacts and customers and sharing the section lead on most issues during the absence of the Vice-Consul with the other Pro Consul.

This is a key role helping to provide the full range of consular services; The successful applicant will be the shared lead for our assistance cases. These can include gaining access to detainees and accompanying the Vice-Consul on prison visits, hospitalisation visits, dealing with deaths of British nationals and issues around mental health problems. Other areas of work that the job holder will encounter include cases involving rape and sexual assault cases, murder casework, missing persons and general welfare cases. The jobholder may be involved in the more challenging aspects of these cases, such as speaking to bereaved families and dealing directly with affected persons. They will also be a lead contact who will engage with Chinese government departments. You will build and strengthen our contacts with key stakeholders such as the Public Security Bureau (PSB) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and other friendly diplomatic missions in Beijing. Some representational work will also be required such as attendance of national day receptions.

The successful applicant will deliver an effective Notarial and documentary services, for which the successful applicant will have responsibility. This includes administering and processing affirmations/affidavits, oaths and assisting in organising Same Sex Marriages. You will also work alongside the Vice Consul to develop and deliver high quality local prevention work. This will include the planning and logistical support for outreach activities such as presentations to the British community or attendance at events where public diplomacy will be key.

You may be required to support other posts in the China Network in these areas or requested to support regional resilience across the Asia Pacific network. There will be opportunities for overseas travel for consular training or conferences, including to the UK, or posts across the China and Asia Pacific networks. The success applicant will also be a member of the Consular Crisis Team in assisting in the preparation and response to any crisis incident affecting British Nationals in China.

As the majority of our customers are British nationals and as the successful applicant will need to frequently interact with the Chinese authorities, a high-degree of fluency in English and Mandarin (both written and spoken), are essential. The selection process may include a language and practical test.

The jobholder will also occasionally need to be able to travel in country, sometimes involving travel of 1+ days to visit British nationals in detention centres, prisons, or hospital. Some evening or weekend work may also be needed, usually over the telephone, but this is rare.

Roles and responsibilities:

Consular assistance to distressed British nationals

• Provide clear and accurate advice to British nationals requiring consular assistance, in person, on the phone and by e-mail. This will include dealing with highly sensitive issues including deaths, detentions, rape and sexual assault cases.
• Provide support by arranging and accompanying Vice Consul, and the wider team, on consular visits including to prisons, detention centres and hospitals.
• Maintain accurate and concise case records
• Engaging and liaise with both UK and Chinese government departments, such as the local police, the Public Security Bureau and Ministry of Justice or Courts.  Ad-hoc translation and interpretation for managers.

Notarial and Documentary services for British nationals

• You will provide a range of counter services including notarial and Emergency travel Documents (ETDs) ensuring high quality customer service.  This includes delivery of oaths, affidavits and witnessing of signatures.

Prevention

• Working with the Vice Consul to develop and deliver high quality local prevention work. Producing materials, using social media and attending events. Planning and Logistical support for outreach activity such as presentations to the British community or attendance at events where public diplomacy will be key.

Crisis Preparedness: The jobholder will be a member of the Consular Crisis Team

• Active involvement in Embassy’s schedule of crisis training and exercising.
• A member of the mission’s preparedness committee.
• Contribute to consular team planning including regular checks of crisis equipment.
• First class delivery of consular assistance to affected British nationals in time of crisis.

Excellent office management and administrative support to the Consular Team, including:

• Shared area organised and up-to-date
• Team Calendar and Contacts kept up-to-date
• Compiling accurate management information statistics
• Ad-hoc translation and interpretation services
• Carry out other reasonable ad-hoc duties in support of the Consular function
• Participate in other embassy committees and support corporate activities as appropriate

• Excellent administrative skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Familiar with all Microsoft Office Packages and accurate typing skills
• Excellent customer care skills and the ability to respond to a range of customer needs
• Good interpersonal skills
• A team player who is capable of working on his or her own initiative and is adaptable to changing priorities. Must be able to work and act without close supervision
• Consular work can sometimes be stressful. The successful applicant will therefore be expected to maintain confidentiality and impartiality