British High Commission Recruits: Entry Clearance Assistant A1 (L)

• OFFICE NOTICE NO – 01/15 ACC
• POSITION: ENTRY CLEARANCE ASSISTANT
• SECTION: ACCRA VISA SECTION
• GRADE: A1 (L)
• POSITION TYPE: THREE YEARS CONTRACT
• SALARY: GHC 1320

The British High Commission, Visa section has one vacancy for Entry Clearance Assistant A1 (L).

The main purpose of the job:

• Supporting Entry Clearance Officers and Entry Clearance Managers in the delivery of the UK Border Agency International Group’s key objectives: secure borders, good decisions and the prevention of immigration crime.
• Visa application processing, dealing with correspondence, handling telephone and in-person enquiries, assisting to maintain an efficient registry system, and conducting checks on documents provided by visa applicants.

The skills/attributes of the successful applicant should include:

• Good communication with excellent spoken and written English.
• Computer literacy with accurate typing skills.
• Ability to speak French fluently.
• The ability to remain customer focused, polite and courteous and maintain performance under pressure.
• The ability to work quickly and reliably with little supervision to meet challenging targets.
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail in all workloads.
• Excellent team player – 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.
• Be an excellent representative of the Visa Department, the British High Commission, and of the UK Government.

Required Skills or Experience

Key competences required:

Leading and communicating

At all levels, effectiveness in this area is about leading from the front and communicating with clarity, conviction and enthusiasm. It’s about supporting principles of fairness of opportunity for all and a dedication to a diverse range of citizens. At senior level, it is about establishing a strong direction and a persuasive future vision; managing and engaging with people with honesty and integrity, and upholding the reputation of the Department and the Civil Service.

Collaborating and partnering

People skilled in this area create and maintain positive, professional and trusting working relationships with a wide range of people within and outside the Civil Service to help get business done. At all levels, it requires working collaboratively, sharing information and building supportive, responsive relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, whilst having the confidence to challenge assumptions. At senior levels, it’s about delivering business objectives through creating an inclusive environment, encouraging collaboration and building effective partnerships including relationships with Ministers.

Managing a quality service

Effectiveness in this area is about being organised to deliver service objectives and striving to improve the quality of service, taking account of diverse customer needs and requirements. People who are effective plan, organise and manage their time and activities to deliver a high quality and efficient service, applying programme and project management approaches to support service delivery. At senior levels, it is about creating an environment to deliver operational excellence and creating the most appropriate and cost effective delivery models for public services

Delivering at pace

Effectiveness in this area means focusing on delivering timely performance with energy and taking responsibility and accountability for quality outcomes. For all staff, it’s about working to agreed goals and activities and dealing with challenges in a responsive and constructive way. At senior levels, it is about building a performance culture to deliver outcomes with a firm focus on prioritisation and addressing performance issues resolutely, fairly and promptly. It is also about leaders providing the focus and energy to drive activities forward through others and encourage staff to perform effectively during challenging and changing times.

Applicants should submit a short (1 page maximum) covering letter stating why they are a suitable candidate for the position along with a copy of their CV and application form.

Internal applicants should submit this along with a copy of their most recent 24 months of appraisal evidence (i.e. two full appraisals, or however many abridged appraisals, minutes etc to make up two years’ worth of evidence) to Human Resources, by email: [email protected]

The closing date is the 8^th February 2015 and no further applications will be accepted after that date. Please quote in the subject line if you are an internal candidate, or spouse of a diplomatic officer, with the Vacancy Notice No: 01/15 ACC

NOTE:

• All applicants must be legally able to work in Ghana with the correct visa/status or work permit.
• The British High Commission in Accra is an equal opportunities employer, dedicated to inclusivity, a diverse workforce and valuing difference.
• Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission in  Accra are subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Ghanaian employment law.
• Reference checking and security clearances will be conducted.
• If you have not heard from us 3 weeks after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.  Note: Any questions you may have about this position will only be answered during interview, should you be invited.

More information about the work of the British High Commission in Ghana can be found at http://ukinghana.fco.gov.uk/en/