•   POSITION: ENTRY CLEARANCE ASSISTANT
•   SECTION: UKVI
•   GRADE: A2 (L)
•   POSITION TYPE:1 YEAR CONTRACT
•   SALARY: GHS 1,856 PER MONTH

The British High Commission, Visa section has one vacancy for an Entry Clearance Assistant. This position is ideally suited to someone who would like to work in a fast-paced and challenging environment as part of a large and diverse team of people, committed to achieving clear service delivery goals.

UKVI– Visa Services is the overseas arm of the UK's immigration control.  We have 3,000 staff in 135 locations throughout the world.  The largest handles 300,000 applications a year, the smallest less than 10.

Accra is one of the busier visa sections in the world with around 40,000 applications a year.  We have over 50 staff (both UK based and locally engaged) working in the visa section.   Our team is committed to providing a first class service, and are expected to be flexible, and make fair and defensible decisions on visa applications quickly, balancing the need for a high level of customer service with the requirement to maintain the integrity of the immigration control.  We want to be at the forefront of innovation, always prepared to react positively to change and try new ways of working.

Main purpose of 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.
•   Managing Visa Operations, Managing & Developing Staff, compiling and maintaining Statistics, providing an efficient Customer Service to the general public in person and by email, Communicating and Influencing the quality and standards within the UKBA.
•   Visa Writing - Print, emboss, and seal all authorised visas without errors.
•   CCTV - Carry out mandatory CCTV checks daily.

Qualification Required & Experience

Skills / experience / qualifications required:

•   Good communication with excellent spoken and written English.
•   Computer literacy with accurate typing skills.
•   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.
•   Able to work quickly and reliably with little supervision and meet challenging targets
•   Able to prioritise and meet tough deadlines
•   Able to keep confidential and sensitive information
•   Be an excellent representative of the Visa Department, the British High Commission, and of the UK Government.
•   Ability to prioritise in a fast-paced work environment, working largely unsupervised and delivering to deadlines
•   Strong self-organisation
•   Good interpersonal skills and able to deal with difficult customers
•   Strong IT skills – in particular be able to use Microsoft Excel and Word
•   Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

The successful applicant should have one or more of the following skills:

•   Familiarity with administrative support and office procedures
•   Customer service experience dealing with the general public, institutions and other government offices
•   Comfort dealing with sensitive issues, and therefore the ability to be highly ethical and discreet

The successful applicant will need to:

•   Undergo a rigorous and intrusive security clearance process.
•   Observe the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s diversity and equality policies
•   Have good interpersonal and IT skills and also have the ability to work under pressure.
•   Show flexibility over working hours

Key competences required for the job:

•   Seeing the bigger picture
•   Managing a quality service
•   Building capability for all
•   Delivering at pace

Employment will be subject to obtaining the appropriate security clearance.

NOTE:

•   All applicants must be legally able to work in Ghana with the correct visa/status or work permit.
•   The successful applicant will demonstrate that they meet the requirements under Ghanaian law to work in Ghana.
•   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 is 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.

Salary: GH¢ 1,856

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

•   All 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 in English and application form, by email to: Recruitment.Africa@fco.gov.uk
•   Internal applicants should also submit the above, 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 the same email address.
•   Internal candidates, and spouses of diplomatic officers: Please quote in the subject line, of your email, the Vacancy Notice No: 09/15 ACC, and position you are applying for, and also indicate that you are an internal candidate, or spouse of a diplomatic officer.
•   All candidates: Please quote in the subject line, of your email, the Vacancy Notice No: 09/15 ACC, and position you are applying for.

Closing Date: 19 March, 2015

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

More information about the work of the British High Commission in Ghana can be found at http://ukinghana.fco.gov.uk/en/ and the work of UKTI can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-trade-investment