View Vacancy - Vice Consul / Consular (ITA22.431)
The British Embassy in Rome is part of a world-wide network, representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas. We are seeking a dynamic and customer-oriented Vice Consul to lead and deliver first class customer service, through the provision of consular assistance and services to resident and visiting British nationals in Italy.
The successful applicant will be working closely with The British Consulate General in Milan to guarantee consular coverage across the region. This role is also about building and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, in order to deliver against our wider consular priorities and strategic objectives.
Why should you apply?
The role requires a dynamic, well organised person with a passion for customer service, strong communication and problem solving skills as well as an ability to take quick and effective decisions under pressure.
You will join a supportive, diverse team with a culture of continuous improvement. We work as one team across Italian network, and value a diverse range of skills and backgrounds. Consular Assistance is a challenging and very rewarding job. Our work is constantly evolving providing us with exciting opportunities.
Accessible learning and development (L&D) opportunities, including specific Consular Training.
This position will require occasional travel to meet key stakeholders and strong management skills to manage an experienced team of 7 people.
This is a fixed-term position for 6 months with the possibility of contract extension depending on performance and available funding.
Roles and responsibilities:
- Manage and develop the consular team in Rome and other locations in-country, providing effective leadership, support and guidance on site and remotely
- Lead on complex/high profile cases involving vulnerable British Nationals and overseeing and provide guidance to the consular team, including Honorary Consuls, in accordance with our guidance and policies
- Support British nationals and their families in a range of situations, including bereavement, hospitalisation, death & sexual assault, rape, assault, detention, domestic violence, prisoners and people with mental health needs. Please note this could require visits in challenging environments; and some cases will have media/parliamentary interest
- Develop and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with all external stakeholders to support the delivery of day-to-day consular assistance and crisis response
- Monitor trends in casework to identify outreach priorities with local authorities and plan and deliver consular prevention initiatives and communication campaigns
- Manage Consular Services including the provision of fee baring services such as emergency travel documents and notarial and documentary work
- Lead on Consular aspects of the whole of mission response to a crisis or incident in Italy. Test crisis plans, ensure team prepared to respond, liaise with local authorities and plan for large scale events
- Work closely with colleagues across the network and region. Provide resilience and support with case handling and provide remote cover for other posts on an ad hoc basis
- Provide out of hours assistance to emergency consular cases as appropriate as well as other duties that may reasonably be required in support of the wider Embassy work
- Keep abreast of evolving consular policy as well as changes to Italian Governmental processes
- The job holder is also expected to actively engage in corporate activities and initiatives in the Italy Network
Our ideal candidate shows:
Previous experience in a customer facing role and ability to respond to a wide range of customer needs
Previous experience managing a team including remote management
C1 or equivalent of the Common European Framework** in English and Italian
Change Management skills and Continuous Improvement mind-set
Resilience and resistance to trauma, ability to cope with the challenging nature of consular work
Good team player. Strong administrative and analytical skills. Innovative
Competent and effective decision maker (under pressure), sound judgement, problem solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure
Excellent communicator with strong digital and networking skills
Excellent time management and organisational skills
Good knowledge of Microsoft systems
It will be a plus:
Previous Consular experience
Knowledge of Italian government structures and departments, as well as work processes
Exposure to Crisis Work experience or Crisis Training
Knowledge of administrative tasks and documentary experience
This job will be based in Rome.
This is a full-time temporary position with a contract of 6 months with possibility of renewal.
The monthly gross salary is Euro 2.929,00. The salary is paid monthly 14 times per year including € 10.33 EDR paid 13 times per year, with double salary payments in June and December. If working less than a full calendar year, the additional salary payments will be pro-rata.
Working hours are 35 hrs per week Monday to Friday typically from 09.00 – 17.00, with some flexibility.
The starting date may be delayed depending on circumstances at the time and this will be agreed with the selected candidate.
The appointment is subject to security clearance, professional background check and the successful completion of a four month probationary period.
All staff employed by the British Embassy are subject to Italian income tax (IRPEF). However the administration of these tax payments will vary depending on nationality.
The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Italian State Social Security Scheme. Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy are subject to terms and conditions of service according to local Italian employment law.
Visa/work permit requirements: candidates must currently hold the independent right to live and work in Italy 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.
Please be advised that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline” and it is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
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 also be advised that the British Diplomatic Missions will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a job.
**Please note, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment indicates Level C1 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 CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.
This opportunity is closed to applications.
