View Vacancy - Consular Assistant - A2

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

Length of contract : 2 Years ( Renewable)

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a high performing team making a real difference to people’s lives, often during times of real distress. The main purpose of the job is providing consular assistance to British nationals across Northern India.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Office Administration:Ensuring the smooth working of the Consular team by being responsible for all office administration tasks.

  • Maintaining the Consular Registry and archives in good order, including filing and weeding in accordance with consular guidelines.
  • Maintenance of the Consular Waiting Room and public counter, ensuring both areas are stocked with communications material, forms, all relevant consular notices in line with the CROM checklist, and any other material necessary. Responsibility for ensuring the consular standalone computer is connected to the internet, and is updated by IT with any security software needed.
  • Receiving and dealing with incoming and outgoing post, including opening, logging, distribution and responding to straightforward letters and enquires.
  • Administrative support on consular events such as the Consular Reception, etc.
  • Stationery maintenance and requisitions.
  • Maintaining section contact lists, updating and weeding as necessary.

Consular Assistance:Working to assist British Nationals in distress in Northern India, across the counter and over the telephone.

  • First point of contact for customers coming to the Consular Counter, ensuring all visitors are provided with a counter form, and assisting them with help and guidance from consular colleagues.
  • Handling applications for Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs), from meeting the customer at the counter all the way through to issue of the ETD.
  • Preparing bespoke FRRO letters to accompany ETDs. Maintaining the ETD files and weeding them in accordance with policy.
  • Providing consular assistance on straightforward assistance cases, e.g. natural deaths that require repatriation letters, documentary services such as NOCs for adoption, etc and handling citizenship ceremonies.
  • Send out feedback survey material for all consular cases.
  • Back up both B3L Consular Officers as necessary on consular assistance casework.

Enquiries and Statistics 

  • Handling the consular enquiries mailbox, responding to emails and maintaining statistics.
  • Maintaining a log of telephone calls that come in from the contact centre and externally.
  • Reviewing and updating Post Essential Information (PEI) documents for the Global Response Centre and the contact centre every quarter.
  • Providing back up to the Consular Officer on monthly Management Information reports.
  • Ensuring all consular fee related actions are completed to deadline.

Communications:Designing and distributing consular communication material, both internal and external.

  • Working with the Communications Lead on the Consular Preventive Communications Strategy.
  • Uploading key information on the Delhi/India SharePoint pages to share best practice.
  • Logistical support to and attendance at consular events.

Crisis Management:Completing tasks that will ensure that the Delhi consular team is prepared and ready to respond to a crisis in Northern India.

  • Updating consular CMP annexes bi-annually along with consular colleagues.
  • Admin support and participation in all crisis exercises carried out by post.
  • Learning the Crisis Hub and accessing it once a month along with the rest of the team.
  • Monthly charging and testing of all consular crisis equipment along with the Consular Officer, and maintaining a log.

WHAT WE DO

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a small, high performing team making a real difference to people’s lives, often during times of real distress. Our core functions are to assist British Nationals in distress or trouble in Northern India, build effective partnerships and network through outreach and communications, and crisis preparedness and response. 

WHAT WE WANT FROM YOU

The role calls for someone who has excellent communication and administration skills, is meticulous and pays attention to detail, and has the ability to providing assistance to British nationals when they are most distressed and vulnerable. It is tough work and can be emotionally draining – but it is also extremely rewarding.

You will need to show motivation, flexibility and team work in the job.  You should have the ability to deal with high pressure situations and a wide range of people in stressful situations. There will be times, for example, when you will be called upon to attend court hearings; prison visits; and hospitals. It can vary so we need someone who is open-minded, sympathetic and prepared for any situation. Due to the nature of consular work, it is difficult to predict when someone will need our assistance so this is not ajob that starts at 0900 and ends at 1700 hrs. You may be required to work longer hours at times, and occasionally may be required to travel at short notice.

As well as being part of the team for South Asia you will also be part of our wider Middle East, North Africa & South Asia (MENASA) Network as well as part of the Global Consular Team. All mandatory training will be provided along with a variety of developmental opportunities.    

Nature of work:

Consular work can sometimes be stressful, distressing and of a sensitive nature. The successful applicant will therefore be expected to demonstrate high levels of personal resilience and maintain absolute consular confidentiality and impartiality.

  • Graduate with at least 2 years of relevant experience (candidates without the required academic qualifications but with exceptional practical experience will be considered).
  • Display strong administrative skills with good working knowledge of Windows and MS Office applications, especially MS Outlook, Word & Excel.
  • Good communicator at all levels with excellent standards of written and spoken English.
  • Ability to work to deadlines with attention to detail & accuracy.
  • Strong customer service skills with ability to focus on the customer requirements.
  • Be a team player who is supportive to colleagues at all times.
  • Good interpersonal and time management skills.

Ability to travel sometimes at short notice and occasionally might require working outside normal working hours.

3 September 2017
Administrative Officer (AO)
Fixed Term
24 months
South Asia & Afghanistan
India
New Delhi
British High Commission
1
INR
9 October 2017

For British High Commission (BHC) candidates, the Local Staff BHC Terms & Conditions will apply. For other than British High Commission candidates, Salary will be Rs. 34,684 per month together with a 12% provident fund and 6% Special Allowance.

Additionally the BHC offers a great benefits package that includes annual domiciliary medical cover, plus a Group Hospitalisation Scheme with Rs 500,000 floater cover for your immediate family. 

The BHC is recognised as a good employer, with a robust, fair and transparent performance management & appraisal system linked to increments and staff bonuses. We have a 5-day working week, plus annual leave, public holidays, maternity leave provision, special leave, paid sick leave provision; ample development opportunities, travel opportunities, a good organisational culture, and excellent work/life balance.

Around half of our work force is women. We treat people with respect and equality and have a policy of zero tolerance for any form of discrimination, bullying, or harassment. This is a good opportunity to be part of a strong, diverse team, working in the biggest network that FCO has anywhere across the globe.  We are aiming to make it the best.

To Apply:

  • Completed the Online Job Application Form
  • Attach a detailed CV
  • Appraisal form of last two years ( Internal candidates)

Please Note :

  • Applicants who do not have the required qualification & experience should kindly abstain from applying, as their applications will not be considered.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and no telephone enquires will be dealt with.
  • The appointment will be subject to Police Verification and other checks including references, educational and professional.

We welcome all applications irrespective of age, race, colour, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief or creed. We are also open to applications from people who want to work flexibly.

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.