Description : Entry Clearance Manager HEO - (16/23 PTA). Company : Foreign & Commonwealth Office. Location : Remote in Pretoria, Gauteng
Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)
Main purpose of job:
The jobholder will be responsible for managing in a way that enhances the performance and develops the potential of all staff within the department, and preventing immigration abuse and protecting integrity of the systems that bring communities together and improve the UK’s competitiveness as a destination for travel, trade, migration & investment.
The role will also include; statistical data analysis, with a high quality of accuracy; team and operational management; effective liaison with stakeholders and OGDs/external institutions; the gathering of evidence to support policy initiatives and rules changes.
Roles and responsibilities:
- To manage resources and oversee processes to ensure that visa applications are assessed and reviewed to a high standard of decision quality that Customer Service Standards are met and exceeded and that UKVI Operating Mandate is adhered to.
- To motivate and support visa section staff through effective line management, by providing practical guidance and clear goals and ensuring regular constructive dialogue and open communication.
- To promote and uphold high professional standards, endorsed by personal example and encourage individual responsibility for maintaining the overall professionalism and integrity of the Visa Section.
- To ensure all management controls are in place and checks are carried out in accordance with Best Practice guidelines and that statistical returns are fully and correctly completed within time limits.
- To manage resources proactively to ensure an effective response to changing demands and priorities including by active change management. Direct line management of Entry Clearance Officers.
- There will likely be opportunities to get involved with further project work, to chance and improve UKVI processes and performance.
- You will need to be adaptable to respond to emerging issues and tasking with a strong focus on working to tight deadlines whilst prioritising conflicting pressures.
Resources managed (staff and expenditure):
You will manage a team of EO's.
Essential qualifications, skills and experience
Given the nature of the role previous experience of the UK's immigration legislation and operations is essential.
- Good communication with excellent spoken and written English
- The ability to work quickly and reliably with little supervision to meet challenging targets
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Excellent team players - this is an all for one, and one for all environment
- Flexibility and a positive attitude to working in a forward thinking, modern and motivated department, which is working at the forefront of visa work We are committed to improving standards and procedures - and we are looking for like-minded employees
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
- It is extremely important that the successful candidate is adaptable and shows a willingness to undertake a variety of tasks in a busy environment. There may be the need to work flexible hours. A positive attitude is essential as is the ability to work as part of a team.
Required behaviours Changing and Improving, Working Together Application deadline Application deadline - day Application deadline - month Application deadline - year 28 April 2023 Grade Higher Executive Officer (HEO) Type of Position Fixed term, with possibility of renewal Working hours per week 36.5 hours Region Africa Country/Territory South Africa Location (City) Pretoria Type of Post British High Commission Number of vacancies 1 Salary R 643,242.53 (per annum) Start Date Start Date - day Start Date - month Start Date - year 1 June 2023 Other benefits and conditions of employment
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
UKVI is committed to developing our team and L&D opportunities will be available through the period of employment.
Working patterns:
This Post is full time with some provision to allow working from home. However it will mostly be office based due to the IT systems used with UKVI.
The British High Commission pays in full for the Key Care Plus option on Discovery Health for staff including spouses/partners and dependants.
- Once you have successfully completed your probation the British High Commission will contribute 9 % of your monthly salary to a Provident Fund.
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days
- Working hours per week of 36.5
The international arm of UK Visas and Immigration is an integral part of the Home Office working to help deliver the department’s three objectives of:
- Protecting our border and our national interests.
- Tackling border tax fraud, smuggling and immigration crime.
- Implementing fast and fair decisions.
Following the introduction of a visa regime for South African passport holders in July 2009 Pretoria has become one of UKVI’s largest visa issuing posts.
The operation has since expanded to include decision-making for Southern, East and Central Africa
We are committed to providing a first class service. Staff are expected to be flexible and make fair and defensible decisions on visa applications quickly, balancing the need for a high level of customer service with the requirement to maintain the integrity of the immigration control. We are at the forefront of innovation, always prepared to react positively to change and try new ways of working.
All applicants must be legally resident in South Africa and eligible to apply for UK security clearance.
Additional information
Security Clearance Level required: SC(O)
Please note that only nationals of UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand who have resided within these countries within the last five years are likely to meet this requirement.
- Please complete the application form in full as the information provided is used during screening.
- Please check your application carefully before you submit, as no changes can be made once submitted.
- The British High Commission will never request any payment or fees to apply for a position
- Employees recruited locally by the British High Commission in Pretoria are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local employment law in South Africa.
- All candidates must be legally able to work and reside in the country of the vacancy with the correct visa/work permit status or demonstrate eligibility to obtain the relevant permit.
- The responsibility lies on the successful candidate to:
- Obtain the relevant permit
- Pay fees for the permit
- Make arrangements to relocate
- Meet the costs to relocate
- The British High Commission do not sponsor visas/work permits except where it may be local practice to do so.
- Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary may have their salaries reduced by the equivalent local income tax amount.
- Information about the Civil Service Success Profiles can be found on this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles. Please note: AA=A1, AO=A2, EO=B3, HEO=C4, SEO=C5
- Reference checking will be conducted.
- Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’. If during the reserve period of 6/12 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.
- If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
