View Vacancy - Vice-Consul Dominican Republic and Haiti

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Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Consular

Main purpose of job:

We are seeking a dynamic and customer oriented Consular Services Manager (Vice-Consul) to join and manage the team based in Dominican Republic.

The successful applicant will lead day-to-day consular operations, manage and deliver a targeted prevention programme to advise and inform on our wider consular priorities and ensure the provision of high quality consular support to British nationals in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

The role will involve interaction with members of the public, local, regional and UK authorities as well as colleagues across the consular network in order to fulfil the delivery of the FCDO’s Consular Strategy. As a Head of Section, the role will also require collaboration across the Embassy, including engagement with senior management on a regular basis.

The Vice-Consul will report to the Consular Regional Operations Manager (CROM) based in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:

  • Oversee and provide guidance to the Consular team, including the Honorary Consuls and wardens based in Dominican Republic and Haiti.
  • Ensure service delivery, audit requirements, and case management exceed the minimum expected standards and are in line with the Consular Strategy and Consular Guidance.
  • Conduct a strategic review of active casework; liaising with UK, Post and regional stakeholders as appropriate to effectively manage high profile and/or complex cases.
  • Monitor casework trends, making recommendations and adjustment to casework management and/or prevention activity as appropriate in consultation with key stakeholders.
  • Provide consular assistance in accordance with current guidelines, including but not limited to visiting British nationals in hospital or jail, providing support following bereavement, child custody matters, sexual assault, and cases involving mental health issues. Provide reports and coordinate strategy discussions with senior leadership on high profile cases.
  • Work with the Political Sections to ensure accurate travel advice for Dominican Republic and Haiti.
  • Proactively identify, manage, deliver and evaluate prevention activities; working in conjunction with political and other internal teams. This will include representation at events and public speaking duties.
  • Develop and maintain positive relationships with local authorities (e.g. police, prison service, immigration, hospitals, and children’s services), key stakeholders (e.g. travel and tourism industry, support groups, NGOs) and other diplomatic missions.
  • Resolving customer concerns effectively and fairly, pre-empting these where possible; reviewing the consular service offering at Post and the customer journey utilised on case management.
  • Bid for and manage the consular budget ensuring that resources are profiled accurately, used effectively and in accordance with published guidance. Highlight concerns and leverage opportunities to maximise spend in a timely manner.
  • Lead on Consular aspects of crisis response, including ensuring emergency equipment is tested regularly and fit for purpose. Ensure Consular team and Honorary Consuls are fully trained and understand their role in a crisis. Respond to crisis events as necessary.
  • Work with consular colleagues in the Americas region contributing as necessary to help shape the development and application of consular strategy and policy in the network, provide resilience and share best practice.
  • Provide out of hours assistance to emergency consular cases as appropriate.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

Staff: Line management of 1 x A2(L) Consular Officer (Santo Domingo) and 2 x Honorary Consuls (Dominican Republic and Haiti)

Budgets: Manage budget for travel and prevention activity.

  • A strong team player with previous management experience.
  • 3+ years of relevant work experience (to include working with the public and staff management skills).
  • Excellent communication skills; both written and oral, including the ability to communicate at all levels.
  • Initiative, drive & determination with superior problem solving skills, sound judgement, common sense and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
  • Proven ability to prioritise, effectively manage and execute multiple tasks.
  • Proven ability to demonstrate initiative and self-motivation.
  • The successful candidate must be available to attend a training course within the first 3 months of employment. At present, this may be delivered virtual due to COVID-19 restrictions but, travel may be required in the future.
  • Proficiency in MS Office.
  • A valid driving licence is essential for getting around the Dominican Republic.

Language requirements:

Language: English, Spanish and French

Level of language required: Full fluency in English and Spanish (written and verbal) are essential. Fluency in French is not necessary but desirable.

  • A relevant Bachelor's Degree.
  • Experience in public speaking duties.
  • Experience of managing outreach programmes including undertaking a wide variety of public speaking duties.
  • A good knowledge of multi-cultural Britain, its language, and geography.
6 December 2020
Executive Officer (EO)
Full-time, Permanent
39
Latin America and Spanish speaking Caribbean
Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo
British Embassy
1
DOP
DOP $97,755.00
1 February 2021

Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

  • Core Consular Mandatory Training: e-learning and self-study – Introduction to Consular work, Wellbeing, Resilience and Stress, Supporting Vulnerable People, Safeguarding Children, Assistance Guidance and other modules as set out on FCDOGlo for Consular Officers at the time of hiring.
  • Other FCDO Mandatory Training: Responsible for Information , Diversity at Work, Health & Safety Awareness, Unconscious Bias, Disability Awareness, LGBT Awareness and other modules as set out on FCDOGlo for Consular Officers at the time of hiring.
  • Delivering Consular Services: Essential Assistance Work (one-week long mandatory course which is currently virtually delivered due to the COVID-19 pandemic); induction to the Consular IT systems, Delivering Digital Consular Services, Effective Digital Content and other modules as set out on the FCDO’s digital learning platform for Consular Officers at the time of hiring.
  • Additional Consular and Crisis Management: variety of e-learning, workshops and videos will be provided.
  • Induction segments: reading, discussion and mentorship.
  • Good Line Management learning packages.
  • When safe to travel and when available, the provision of ad-hoc support to Consular Sections in other British Embassies / High Commissions in the Americas.

The role brings the opportunity to acquire knowledge of consular policy and practice. In addition, it offers the chance to develop widely applicable skills, for example in stakeholder management and good line management. The Americas Consular Network places great emphasis on promoting L&D, and additional L & D opportunities are presented for bidding on a regular basis through both the Post and Consular L & D programme.

Working patterns:

If the job is suitable for flexible working patterns, please provide details: Ordinarily, the customer-facing nature of consular service delivery may restrict limit flexible working patterns such as working from home. Adjustments are in place for remote working at the time of recruitment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be kept under review. This can be discussed after the successful completion of the probationary period.

The British Embassy Network offers a strong benefits package. This package includes generous vacation and leave time, flexible working patterns, and an enriching learning and development opportunities.

The role is open to anyone with the independent right to reside and work in the Dominican Republic.

  • The period of probation for this role is 3 months.
  • A full induction and coaching will be arranged for the successful applicant.
  • The gross salary for this position is DOP $1,270,815.00 per annum.
  • Core office hours are 8.00am - 4.30pm Monday -Thursday and 8.00am -1:00pm on Fridays.
  • Paid annual leave entitlement is 16 working days per calendar year which increases after five years of service. A combination of 14 Dominican and UK public holiday days are also observed.
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This opportunity is closed to applications.