Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Consular Roles)
Consular
Main purpose of job:
As a member of the Consular Section, you will be a part of the team that is responsible for ensuring high quality consular services are delivered to British nationals in the Shanghai Consular District. You will work closely with the Vice Consul and pro-consuls to assist them in delivering Shanghai’s objectives under the Consular Strategy and China-wide business plans.
This is a key role supporting the provision of a full range of consular services, including assistance to vulnerable British Nationals, an effective Notarial and documentary services and prevention and outreach work.
The successful applicant will focus their customer service skills on providing an effective front counter service to our customers, as well as managing straightforward enquiries. You will also have responsibilities as office manager, including administrative support to the team. Our Notarial and documentary services, for which the successful applicant will have responsibility, includes processing affirmations/affidavits, oaths and printing Emergency Travel Documents.
The successful applicant will also occasionally provide support on assistance cases. These can include hospitalisations, detentions, the death of British nationals, and issues around mental health problems. The jobholder may be involved in the more challenging aspects of these cases, such as speaking to bereaved families and dealing with the sick and injured. They will need to engage with Chinese government departments including the Public Security Bureau (PSB) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), as well as other partners and stakeholders when organising visits/outreach.
The successful applicant may also be a member of the Consular Crisis Team in assisting in the preparation and response to any crisis incident. In the run up to the Winter Olympics providing support to Beijing Team on handling plan.
There may be occasional opportunities to travel within China for assistance cases and outreach visits.
As the majority of our customers are British nationals, a high-degree of fluency in English (both written and spoken), are essential. The selection process will include a short written test in English. As the role may involve interaction with the Chinese authorities, an understanding of both spoken and written Mandarin are mandatory.
This role can sometimes involve evening or weekend work, usually over the phone.
Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
Notarial and Documentary services for British nationals – 25%
- Timely processing and organisation of Notarial and Documentary services
- Act as cashier and process monthly fees return
Managing the customer journey and proving general consular advice to British nationals – 30%
- Answer straightforward public enquiries
- Maintain online booking service for counter appointments, liaise with reception staff/guards on visit procedures
- Ensure an appropriate environment is maintained within our waiting room and public counter areas
Excellent office management and administrative support to the Consular Team, including: – 20%
- Paper files and shared area organised and up-to-date
- Team Calendar and Contacts kept up-to-date
- Key information for customers up-to-date
- Compiling accurate management information statistics
- Logistical support for outreach activity
Consular assistance to distressed British nationals – 20%
- Provide clear accurate advice to British nationals requiring consular assistance, in person, via phone and email
- Provide support by arranging and on occasion accompanying Vice Consul, and the wider team, on consular visits including to prisons, detention centres and hospitals
- Engaging with both UK and Chinese government departments, including local police, the Public Security Bureau and Ministry of Justice
- Printing Emergency Travel Documents
- Conduct regular reviews on our list of English speaking lawyers and hospitals in eastern China and support regular reviews of gov pages
Crisis Preparedness: The jobholder will be a member of the Consular Crisis Team – 5%
- Active involvement in Embassy’s schedule of crisis training and exercising
- Contribute to consular team planning
- First class consular assistance to affected British nationals in a crisis
- Excellent administrative skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Experience working in a customer service role
- Ability to work unsupervised
- IT skills
Language requirements:
English
Spoken: Excellent/Highly Proficient
Written: Excellent/Highly Proficient
Other Languages: Mandarin
Spoken: Independent/Good
Written: Excellent/Highly Proficient
- Experience of Consular work
Making Effective Decisions, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering Value for Money, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Demonstrating Resilience
19 July 2021
A1 (L)
Fixed Term, Full-time, Temporary
35
8 months
Asia Pacific
China
Shanghai
British Consulate General
1
Chinese: CNY 9,511 ; British: CNY 13,312
23 August 2021
22 April 2022
External Non-Chinese National Candidates
Due to local Government measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, including strict entry restrictions, applicants who are non-Chinese nationals are likely to face significant obstacles when seeking residence permits, or travel into China. Please familiarise yourself with the latest restrictions and processes before applying. The British Embassy and Consulates General cannot cover the cost of transport, quarantine or accommodation for applicants who require work permits.
We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc. The gross starting salary (before all deductions) for this position is RMB 9,511/ month for Mainland China Nationals and an abated monthly salary of RMB 13,312/ month for British Nationals and spouses/ partners (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.
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):
We are a strong supporter of Learning and Development. As well as the mandatory consular training, there are opportunities for other eLearning.
Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):
Employment offers are subject to successful clearance of pre-employment and security checks. Staff who are locally recruited by the British Consulate General are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to Chinese local employment law.
No accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. 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. Any costs related to obtaining or renewing permits and visas are the responsibility of the successful applicant.
This position is being advertised as a 8 months fixed-term, temporary position in Shanghai.
The British Consulate General is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.
Working patterns:
The Consulate-General actively considers flexible working patterns. This role can sometimes involve evening or weekend work.
Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested.
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.
REMINDER:
Applicants are required to fill out the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, motivational segment and the competency based questions. Forms that are incomplete in any respect will not be considered while shortlisting for the next stage so please ensure you provide information requested. Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core competencies listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time.
Indicated start date is provisional and subject to successful completion of reference and security checks.
To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.
To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate on the application form /in your cover letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.