Senior Programme Officer - London, United Kingdom - British Council

British Council

Verified Company

London, United Kingdom

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

beBee Recruiter

Description

Senior Programme Officer - Welfare and Immigration

Date:22 Nov 2023

Location:
London, UKM, GB

Company:
British Council

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK.

We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In we reached 650 million people.

Senior Programme Officer:
Welfare an Immigration

Pay Band: 7

Salary:
Starting £30,839 (+ £3,300 market allowance if based in London)

Contract Type:
Fixed term until 31/01/2025 to cover maternity leave

Role Type:
Business Delivery

Location:
UK; London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast.

Closing date:
Wednesday 6th December, 11:59pm UK time.

Benefits include, but are not limited to:

32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays
3 days volunteering leave
Career average defined benefit pension scheme
An unrivalled opportunity for you to get to use all the experience you've built up working in and/or leading global organisations to support us in building trust across the world.

Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided.

Context

This role contributes to the efficient administration of the Chevening Programme on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The Senior Programme Officer - Welfare and Immigration (SPOWI) is a key member of the Chevening Secretariat team and will manage a small team of at least one person and will ensure that an excellent standard of service is provided to all stakeholders.

Role Purpose

The post holder will also be required to work closely with the Programme Manager UK on continual policy and procedural development, with a view to improving services and the efficiency of their delivery.

They will also be tasked with effective people management, with delegation, team development and monitoring performance all being of paramount importance.

The post holder will lead on ensuring the welfare of all scholars is monitored and will provide relevant advice to the Programme Officers who work closely with the scholars.

This will be done via training and guidance and will be regularly reviewed.

The post holder may be required to identify and prepare for changing aspects of immigration law and practice to ensure as seamless a service as possible.

Main accountabilities

To manage the workload and monitor the performance of the Programme Officer
Welfare and Immigration to ensure that a consistent high level of service is provided to all stakeholders to agreed timelines.
To undertake the required CPD for OISC level 1 or to become accredited while in role.
To be a level 1 user of the Home Office's Sponsor Management System and produce Certificate of Sponsorship for fellows where appropriate.
To provide specialist advice to colleagues on matters concerning welfare and immigration issues.
To provide advice to British Embassies and High Commissions (via the Secretariat's international team) regarding matters relating to immigration and welfare.
To work closely with Secretariat colleagues, university contacts and award holders in serious welfare cases; this may include case management of critical incidents, reporting on incidents to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and checking in/following up with award holders with ongoing issues.
To approve additional funding for disabled scholars and fellows, and to liaise with the disability section of the host university to ensure that the required provisions are in place.
To assess requests for funding from the welfare budget (e.g. compassionate airfare, scholarship extension due to illness) in line with welfare policy guidance, notifying the Programme Manager UK as appropriate.
To review existing and new Chevening documentation/communication and provide input where required to ensure that it is in line with immigration regulations.
To keep up to date with developments in immigration and keeping relevant members of the Secretariat informed of changes in regulations and advising on appropriate action in a timely manner.

Role specific skills

Strong administrative skills, including the ability to complete repetitive tasks to a high degree of accuracy and a high level of proven competence with Microsoft Office Suite.
Excellent interpersonal skills in all forms of communication.
Commitment to working primarily with a team, with an ability to work independently and show initiative and exercise sound judgement.

Role specific knowledge and experience