Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Home Office
Main purpose of the role:
The successful candidate will occupy the position of Returns Liaison Assistant (RLA) in the Home Office Immigration Enforcement (IE) Migration & Returns team, co-located at UK Diplomatic Missions in Beijing and Guangzhou. This position will be line-managed by the Senior RLA at the British Embassy Beijing, but based at the British Consulate-General Guangzhou.
The primary role of an RLA is to help increase the number of returns of illegal migrants in the UK by preparing Emergency Travel Document (ETD) applications. This involves close collaboration with Home Office colleagues in the UK and law enforcement contacts in China, as well as undertaking research and providing advice on individual returns cases within agreed timeframes.
The RLAs play a key role in the planning and organising of regular documentation interview campaigns in the UK. They also help co-ordinate senior/ working level meetings between the UK and Chinese authorities, and deliver returns-specific training to frontline teams. Key to this is the ability to build and maintain strong working relationships to advance IE returns priorities, not only in Mainland China, but also in the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao.
In addition to delivering the core IE returns agenda, the successful candidate may be required to spend 25% of their time supporting wider Home Office and cross-government priorities. Much of this work will include assisting the Immigration Liaison Officer (ILO) in Guangzhou with airline referrals and migration-related research, and the Senior Project Manager with human trafficking awareness raising campaigns
Roles and responsibilities/ what will the jobholder be expected to achieve?:
- Conduct relevant checks and undertake enquiries to verify the identities of illegal migrants in the UK and prepare accurate ETD applications for submission to the Chinese Embassy in London
- Arrange and conduct telephone interviews with illegal migrants and occasionally travel to the UK (when required) to deliver updated China returns training
- Liaise with the host immigration authorities and build effective working relationships with key contacts to secure assistance and co-operation to deliver UK returns objectives
- Coordinate and provide accurate translations and interpretation for official written communications, specialist people-to-people exchanges, and meetings with the host authorities and other external stakeholders
- Support the wider priorities of the IE Migration & Returns and IE International teams in China, including UK-funded project work and activities designed to mitigate the threat of Organised Immigration Crime
Additional Information:
- Some flexibility is required in terms of working hours, including starting and finishing slightly later to accommodate telephone interviews with illegal migrants in the UK (owing to the time difference)
- Some travel may be required to attend official functions and training events within China and overseas
Essential on arrival:
- Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills in English and Mandarin Chinese. Fluency in Cantonese is also required for the RLA Guangzhou role
- Effective organisational and time management skills, and an ability to work under pressure without supervision
- Excellent IT skills (especially MS Office)
Language requirements:
- Excellent / Highly Proficient in English
- Excellent / Highly Proficient in Cantonese
Desirable but can be developed:
- Previous immigration or law enforcement operational experience
- Previous training, investigations and interviewing experience
Making Effective Decisions, Collaborating and Partnering, Delivering at Pace
14 November 2021
A2 (L)
Full-time, Permanent
35
Asia Pacific
China
Guangzhou
British Consulate General
1
CNY
RMB 11,272 per month for Chinese staff
3 January 2022
The pandemic means it may not be possible to transfer between posts on the same residence permit. Rules differ by city. LE expatriate candidates should speak to HR about potential eligibility constraints before applying.
Learning and Development Opportunities: No formal training is required, but the successful candidate will spend time with the IE Migration & Returns and IEI teams before taking on their core duties. This is likely to be in Beijing and Guangzhou. A wide range of high-value development opportunities is available across the China Network. These may be pursued with Line Manager approval as part of an agreed learning programme.
We offer a competitive package, which includes basic salary, good leave entitlement, and insurance plan, etc
For expatriate, no accommodation or relocation expenses are payable in connection with this position. You must have or be able to obtain a local work permit with the support of the British Consulate-General.
Confirmation of employment will be conditional on the visa status of the applicant and agreement by the local authorities.
Staff recruited locally by the British Consulate-General Guangzhou are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Chinese employment law.
Please note that your application must be submitted before 23:55 (China Standard Time) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
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.
Applications must upload a current CV.
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 shortlisted, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.
The FCDO is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation.
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.