View Vacancy – Consular Officer for Jamaica & Bahamas – British High Commission Kingston

Main purpose of job:

Based in Kingston, Jamaica, the successful applicant will provide professional and empathetic front-line consular assistance to British Nationals in Jamaica and the Bahamas, working alongside the Consular Team. 

The role will involve managing a busy and complex casework portfolio, assisting customers who have experienced significant trauma and distress. As such, a high level of personal resilience is required, along with a strong customer focus and the ability to manage expectations. Regular interaction will be required with members of the public, local, regional and UK authorities as well as other Diplomatic missions in Jamaica and colleagues across the consular network to fulfil the delivery of the FCDO’s Consular Strategy. 

There will be opportunities for travel in-country, and within the Americas Consular Network to provide regional resilience, and to attend training or conferences, sometimes at short notice or outside of normal working hours. The Consular Officer reports to the Vice-Consul.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Providing consular assistance in accordance with current guidelines, including visiting British nationals in hospital or jail, providing support to family members following a bereavement, supporting on child custody matters, welfare and or mental health cases and providing advice and assistance to victims of rape or sexual assault.
• Maintaining close links with local authorities including, but not limited to, law enforcement, prisons and detention centres, medical examiners, hospitals, morgues and mental health facilities.
• Managing a busy portfolio of complex consular casework in line with consular policy and to a satisfactory conclusion, ensuring global service standards are met.
• Contributing to casework strategy discussions and sight senior leadership on the more complex cases.
• Proactively identifying and co-delivering consular outreach initiatives alongside the team, including representing the British government at consular events and some public speaking duties.
• Accurately administering elements of team budget as necessary.
• Printing emergency travel documents and facilitating collections, liaising with regional hub colleagues as necessary.
• Maintaining and updating country information packs to ensure the latest information is available on GOV.UK.
• Contributing to consular crisis preparedness and response, including testing emergency equipment and providing consular assistance during a crisis.
• Performing other duties as assigned.
• Supporting colleagues in other parts of the America’s consular network as required.

• Educated to A’ Level /CAPE*with a minimum of CXC/CSEC* level passes in Maths and English Language. *International equivalent qualifications are accepted.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant work experience, to include working with the public handling difficult situations.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to communicate at all levels empathetically and compassionately whilst remaining professional.
• Initiative, drive & determination with superior problem-solving skills, sound judgement, common sense and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Resilience and high standards of personal integrity and discretion.
• Proficiency in MS Office, including Excel, Word and TEAMs.
• Proven ability to prioritise and multi-task and work autonomously if required.
• Legal status to live and work in Jamaica in your own right, from time of application.