Seasonal Entry Clearance Assistants

British Consulate General İstanbul

The British Consulate General in Istanbul is part of a world-wide network representing British political, economic and consular interests overseas and is now looking to hire a number of Seasonal Entry Clearance Assistants for its UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) section.

Roles and responsibilities:

The Streaming Team is responsible for a variety of support functions, which assist the wider visa section in the efficient processing of visa applications. This includes data entry, general administrative support, and assisting with the allocation of work. Streaming is the routing of work based on the wider operation and is critical to the efficiency of the operation. It is imperative the post holder sends the information to the correct place. A standard Operating Mandate is in place which the post-holder will be required to follow when undertaking the activities described below.

 Typical tasks include:

• Accurately entering data, including the amendment of biographical data as necessary.
• Linking and directing applications according to operational data.
• The post-holder will make decisions on what information they input into the system. They are also responsible for error identification and correction.
• Contacting applicants when additional evidence is needed in order to complete processing.
• Assisting the management team and the wider Decision-Making Centre as required.
• Monitoring and reporting the operational position.
• First point of contact for work related issues.

The Enrichment Team completes checks on applications and helps Entry Clearance Officers to make more informed visa decisions.

 Typical tasks include:

• Undertaking document verification checks.
• The post-holder will verify the information they are enriching.
• The post-holder will be required to decide whether they have sufficient information, if they don’t they will need to go online and source further details to check the veracity of the information provided.
• Carrying out telephone enquiries
• Performing other enrichment activity to support decision makers.

Visa Writers are responsible for the printing and dispatch of visas.

Typical tasks include:

• Checking computer records to ensure accuracy before printing, e.g. checking the quality of endorsement codes and vignettes.
• Printing and dispatch of vignettes.
• The post-holder will be responsible for prioritising their workflow based on operational priorities.
• Liaising with colleagues and management upon identifying any problems.
• Supporting management and other teams as required.
• Problem solving any hardware errors they encounter.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience:

• A good communicator with excellent spoken and written English (at minimum of C1 according to CEFR*);
• An excellent team player;
• Able to work under pressure as part of a large team and complete tasks to an agreed standard;
• Able to remain customer focused, polite and courteous under pressure;
• Able to manage own work with minimal supervision;
• Experience in Microsoft Office applications, in particular Word and Excel;
• Adaptable and flexible with a positive attitude to change;
• Proven ability to work quickly and accurately in a target driven environment, prioritising key tasks as necessary;
• Evidence of using initiative for problem solving.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:

• A graduate or an equivalent qualification;
• Experience in data entry or visa related work;
• Previous UKVI experience;
• Experience in working in an international or governmental organisation;
• Experience in working towards productivity expectations.

Required behaviours: Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together

Application deadline: 7 April 2024

Grade: Administrative Officer (AO)

Type of Position: Fixed Term, Full-time

Working hours per week: 36.25

Duration of Post: 4 months

Salary: 1,750 USD (Gross Monthly) 

Start Date: 1 May 2024

End Date: 31 August 2024

Other benefits and conditions of employment:

• This is a full-time, seasonal contract for a period of 4-months, for 5 working days (36.25 hours net) per week.
• The monthly base salary for this position is 1,750.00 USD gross, AO level. Please note that staff members are responsible for paying any income tax required by local law.
• The successful candidate will be subject to professional background check, security clearance and a probation period of 2 months.
• All applicants should have the right to live and work in Turkey. The British Consulate General in Istanbul does not sponsor work permits.
• Staff recruited locally by The British Consulate General in Istanbul are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Turkish employment law.
• British Diplomatic Missions are equal opportunities employers, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference. We are committed to developing a learning organisation that enhances business performance, maximises our staff’s potential and encourages staff innovation and development.
• Please note that the salaries paid to staff who are exempt from income tax in Turkiye and to those who have already retired from SGK will differ from the salary advertised for the role. Further details can be provided by the local HR team.

Additional information: 

• Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”.
• 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.
• Please be aware that the deadline for submitting applications is considered to be the time zone for the country where the vacancy has arisen.
• Please be advised that the British Embassy will not be able to meet the travel costs incurred when travelling to the interview, nor the costs connected with relocation if offered a position.
• * Please note Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment  indicates Level C1 as Mastery or proficiency Level which comprehends that a person can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read; can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation; can express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations. For more information please click on the following link CEFR. Please bear in mind in case you are invited for an interview your languages skills are going to be assessed.