View Vacancy - CPK - Business and Change Manager

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.
Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration)

UK Visas and Immigration’s (UKVI) overseas operation is divided into 6 regions.  The Asia Pacific region has approximately 200 permanent members of staff, working across 19 different locations, and is forecast to process almost one million visa applications in 2017.  As a region with 5 emerging powers, including China, UKVI’s work in Asia-Pacific is of critical importance to HMG’s prosperity agenda.

 

The successful candidate will be an important member of UKVI Asia-Pacific’s regional management team involved in strategic decision making and will be expected to provide leadership across the region.  The post is located at the British Embassy in Beijing.  Occasional travel to other posts in the region, notably Manila, and the UK may be required.

 

The purpose of the role is to lead the full range of business planning activities for UKVI Asia-Pacific and manage key regional change projects.  This is an important function – and high profile opportunity – in the context of significant changes and innovation to the way that UKVI delivers. 

 

Key work streams the jobholder will take forward include resource modelling, staffing, budget management, management of network change projects, HR and business assurance, and will line manage at least 3 members of staff.  The jobholder will also be expected to contribute to global network discussions, particular on business management issues and UKVI transformation.

 

The role involves building and maintaining close working relationships across the region and with key partners, including:

  • UKVI headquarters
  • FCO corporate service teams and deputy heads of mission
  • Home Office finance, HR, commercial and transformation teams

 

The jobholder will require strong analytical, drafting, communication and negotiating skills.  Experience of line management and leading others, as well as resource modelling and using financial management/operational management tools is also essential.  Knowledge and experience of UKVI would also be an advantage. 

 

This is a high-profile position working with a range of important partners in a fast-paced, delivery-focused environment.  The jobholder must be able to demonstrate strategic awareness in order to identify and proactively manage existing and emerging issues on behalf of the regional director.

 

Business planning

  • Lead on all aspects of business planning, including visa demand forecasting, resource modelling and headcount tracking.
  • Lead on all staffing issues, most notably the recruitment of c.150-180 seasonal staff across the region.  Oversee the end-to-end recruitment process, including training and security clearances, and ensure staff are in post on time through effective and timely resolution of all potential blockers.  Ensure the region remains within its headcount allocation through tight control and monitoring of all headcount issues.

 

Change management

  • Manage ad hoc transformation-related projects and provide strong input into plans for the future shape of UKVI’s network.
  • Provide strong leadership and directions to the regional People transformation group, ensuring People-related initiatives are implemented to help make UKVI a great place to work.

 

Budget management

  • Manage a c.£11m budget on behalf of the regional director.  Maintain effective budget forecast and financial monitoring processes through the use of strong financial management tools.  Ensure value for money is sought in all financial transactions across the region.  Ensure all financial returns to the UK are completed accurately and in a timely manner.

 

HR

  • Lead on all HR issues for the region, providing expert advice to managers and staff in consultation with Home Office and FCO colleagues where necessary.
  • Maintain and strengthen the regional learning and development strategy.
  • Oversee staff investigations, ensuring relevant policies are adhered to.  

 

Budget assurance and RD support

  • Ensure business continuity plans are relevant, up-to-date and tested on a regular basis.
  • Manage the regional risk register, ensuring risks are mitigated against and escalated as appropriate.
  • Work with the regional integrity manager to ensure the integrity of the visa operation is maintained at all times.
  • Provide ad hoc support to the regional director, particularly regarding change management, drafting and reporting. 
  • A strong awareness of the big picture
  • Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Excellent analytical skills
  • Strong negotiation skills
  • Strong IT skills, including Excel
  • Experience of using modelling and operational management tools
  • Experience of working in UK Visas and Immigration
  • Experience of budget management
9 July 2017
Senior Executive Officer (SEO)
Full-time, Fixed Term
35
Asia Pacific
China
Beijing
British Embassy
1
CNY
38,244
19 October 2017
18 October 2018

This position is advertised on a fixed-term basis for one (1) year, with a possibility of renewal. 

 

Appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to Overseas Security Clearance. Due to the security clearance level required for this position, this vacancy is open only to the following:

  • Nationals from the UK who have spent at least two (2) years out of the last five (5) years in the UK
  • Nationals from the UK who have Diplomatic status in China ('W' visa holder)
  • Other nationals from the USA, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia, providing they have Diplomatic status in China ('W' visa holder) 

 

The successful candidate may commence employment whilst security checks are undertaken. However, failure to obtain Confidential clearance would require ending of the employment contract.

 

We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan etc. The abated monthly salary of RMB 38,244/month for British Nationals and spouses/partners of all nationalities of diplomats who are ‘W’ (diplomatic) visa holders and meet passport criteria.

 

We also offer excellent development opportunities and a 22-day annual leave entitlement in pro rata. Conditioned working hours is 35 hours/week from Monday to Friday and flexible working can be arranged upon personal needs.

 

For more details on our Total Rewards Package, please visit our website http://www.gov.uk/government/world/china.

 

Staff recruited locally by the British Embassy Beijing are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.

All applications must be received before 9 July 2017 at 2355 China time.

 

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

 

Interviews for this position will commence during the week of 24 July 2017.

 

The successful candidate should be able to start as soon as possible.

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.