International Liaison Assistant - HOIO AO at the British High Commission (BHC) Nigeria

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: International Liaison Assistant - Home Office International Operations (HOIO) Administrative Officer (AO)

Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full time
Working hours per week: 35
Duration of Post: 12 months
Start Date: 1 February 2024
Grade: Executive Officer (EO)
Hardship Level: C
Job Category: Other British Government Departments (Partners across Government, including UK Visas)
Job Subcategory: Home Office International Operations

Main Purpose of Job
Investigation:

• Support individual case working investigations as tasked by Home Office International Operations.
• Support individual case working investigations as tasked by the Head of Section and Her Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) as well as other government departments.
• Support the disrupt the flow of illegal migration by air to the United Kingdom and identify and disrupt the activity of the organised crime groups behind it
• Support Visa Status and Information Services (VSI) section to protect the integrity of the UK visa regime and identify and disrupt activity of the organised crime groups attempting to exploit it
• Support the development operational intelligence products through the collection, interpretation and evaluation of relevant quantitative and qualitative information sources
• Work closely with HMG partners at post, host authorities and international partners to support the development of intelligence and investigations to disrupt organised crime groups
• Support training sessions with international partners
• Provide presentations to host authorities and international partners

Crime:

• Using collaborative working with overseas and UK law enforcement partners develop intelligence and investigations to disrupt organised crime groups targeting the UK.

Intelligence gathering and analysis:

• Support the development operational intelligence products through the collection, interpretation and evaluation of relevant quantitative and qualitative information sources.
• Strong problem solving skills are required to identify and investigate suspected organised immigration crime and to gather evidence-based intelligence.
• Ensure that all relevant intelligence is gathered, assessed and disseminated in line with guidance.

Liaison:

• Build effective working relationships with host authorities, international partners. (FCC/EU) and UK partners to support the delivery of crime and intelligence objectives.
• Lead the exchange of actionable intelligence with local law enforcement partners and counterparts in other Diplomatic missions to identify and mitigate threats to the UK Border. Representing the Home Office professionally, developing effective partnerships with the wider British High Commission and with key external partners.

What We Do

• HOIO operates to prevent illegal immigration and disrupt the organised immigration crime groups behind it, supporting both the Immigration Enforcement mission and the Home Office purpose. We have staff deployed to approximately 42 locations across the world.  

We deliver this by:

• Providing intelligence support to the UK visa operation, supporting UKVI to take an increasingly global approach to risk streaming built on the analysis of objective data and enhanced with local risk indicators.
• Working with carriers around the world to reduce the threat of inadequately documented arrivals (IDAs) reaching the UK by air and sea.
• Developing intelligence packages related to the visa or air threat for subsequent criminal investigations and prosecutions.
• Stakeholder engagement including the provision of training and upskilling to airline staff.

What we want from you?

• In order to meet Home Office security requirements, you must be able to pass security clearance to Official level.
• We need the ILA to have excellent interpersonal skills that they can use strategically to build relationships with key partners to assist Home Office International Operations in delivering their objectives.
• Face to face work is a fundamental part of the job, as is the delivery of training, so the successful candidate should be prepared to do public speaking.
• The role of ILA is extremely varied. The challenge with all HOIO work is to deliver both the reactive elements such as air calls and requests for support from visa section, as well as the pro-active elements such as intelligence research and liaison with stakeholders.
• As such, ILAs need be able to manage very challenging workloads, deliver at pace and be flexible in support of business aims.
• Once trained, the successful candidate should be able to work towards objectives with minimal supervision.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

• Computer literate with Microsoft desktop functions (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Explorer) at a level where you can: create, use and interrogate complex templates, tables, data-sets on Home Office and FCDO IT platforms
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• A high level of written and spoken English with the ability to write high quality reports and briefings
• Strong organisational and time management skills
• An ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience:

• Previous immigration, law enforcement and/or analytical or investigation experience would be an advantage.

Required behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Communicating and Influencing.

Working patterns:

• The role requires the job holder to work flexibly, often starting early or working late
• Roles and responsibilities include the provision of an occasional out of hours duty phone function, and the successful candidate will be expected to provide coverage on rotation with existing team members
• The role necessitates travel for liaison, training, site visits and meetings. Most of this can be done in a day but some overnight stays will be required.
• The role will involve access to and handling of classified or sensitive commercial information therefore, applicant must be able to achieve FCDO Official level security clearance.

Salary
USD1,576.87 Monthly.

Other benefits and conditions of employment:
Learning and development opportunities:

• The successful candidate will be provided with bespoke training in the UK and the region.
• A wealth of professional and personal development opportunities are available from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Diplomatic Academy, local L&D Committee and e-learning programme.

Application Closing Date
20th December, 2023.