Decision Support Officer AO at British High Commission

Job Description (Roles and Responsibilities)  

Main purpose of job:

To provide valuable support to the visa application process by conducting mandatory checks/referrals on visa applications, liaising with colleagues in the UK on mandatory checks to ensure that applications are processed in a timely manner.  Act in accordance with the Code of Conduct and Home Office Values at all times. 

Roles and responsibilities:

• Undertaking mandatory checks in line with operating procedures
• Monitoring workflow to ensure that all checks are within the specified ‘lifespan’ of a check
• Printing relevant reports from the UK and linking/updating computer records
• Managing corrections to biographic details, sending off referrals to the UK and linking responses   
• Managing the processes involved in issuing non-standard vignettes
• Daily oversight of one team member, working in conjunction  

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Good communication with excellent spoken and written English
• Computer literacy with accurate typing skills of at least 25 words per minute
• 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  
• Seeing the Big Picture, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing

Application deadline  

• 1 December 2022

Grade  
Administrative Officer (AO)
Type of Position  
Fixed Term
Working hours per week  
36.5 hours
Duration of Post  
12 months
Region  
Africa
Country/Territory  
South Africa
Location (City)  
Pretoria
Type of Post  
British High Commission
Number of vacancies  
1
Salary  
R 242,848.44 plus R 56,041.92 responsibility allowance per annum
Start Date  
5 January 2023
End Date  
1 January 2024
Other benefits and conditions of employment  
Learning and development opportunities (and any specific training courses to be completed):

• In house training and mentoring will be given
• Use of Visa Management databases and tools
• Training in document security, information protection, keeping children safe, all aspects of Entry Clearance decision making, equality and diversity.
• 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

Additional information  

• Security Clearance Level required: SC

Please note that only nationals of UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand who have resided in 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 and security clearances will be conducted on successful candidates.