• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in producing timely and accurate written information.
• Ability to travel as required. Local, regional, interstate and overseas.

You’ll be joining an enthusiastic and supportive team that takes continuous learning and development seriously and that values a diverse range of skills and backgrounds. On starting the role, you’ll be supported in becoming familiar with consular policy, as well as the structures of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the operation of the British High Commission, which includes an induction day. 

Mandatory Courses:
In your first year, you will be required to complete an online “Consular Fundamentals Course” and our “Developing Consular Expertise Course”, which is usually delivered in person in the UK. There are several other mandatory training courses which include: processing Emergency Travel Documents; case management and crisis management.

Further opportunities:
When you are settled in the role, you will be encouraged to seek out further opportunities (both formal and informal) to deepen your expertise of consular work, and to develop wider skills tailored to your personal interests and development needs. Mentoring and coaching opportunities are available to all staff at the British High Commission.
Opportunities can also include attending regional conferences, joining leadership and development courses and applying to volunteer for crisis training and deployment.

Specific considerations for consular roles:

Consular work can sometimes be stressful, distressing and of a sensitive nature. The successful applicant will therefore be expected to demonstrate high levels of personal resilience and maintain absolute consular confidentiality and impartiality, keeping in line with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Consular Strategy, consular guidance and Customer Charter, business targets and local procedures.
 We provide wellbeing support and professional supervision for all consular staff.

Working patterns 

• Working hours: Our core office hours are 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday. Due to the unplanned nature of some consular work, a flexible approach to working hours and patterns is essential.
• Leave entitlements: Full-time staff benefit from an annual leave entitlement of 22 days per calendar year plus additional office closures for some UK public holidays.
• Travel: Some travel may be required for regional activities, such as prison visits, providing resilience to other teams, and for training purposes. This may include interstate and/or overseas travel.

The UK government network in Australia has a modern and flexible approach to its working culture. The importance of in-person consular services, networks, relationship building, learning and collaboration mean that this role is not suitable for exclusive remote working. However, the role may be suitable for some hybrid and/or flexible working patterns, subject to operational demands.    

The successful applicant will be based in Sydney, and work in a reporting line that is based in Perth and Canberra.

The salary on offer is not negotiable.

Any other information (or specific local Post requirements):

This is a great role which provides an excellent variety of consular work.  You will need to be a supportive leader, effective manager and able to multitask under pressure. 
It is important that you are a self-starter and can act on your own initiative in running the consular operations and keeping stakeholders informed and engaged. 

Strong networking skills are integral to success in this role, and it will be important to be flexible and resilient. Cases can often be complex and challenging, calling for sensitive and considered handling.
Building and maintaining good relations with local authorities and with colleagues at post is critical. 

Working at the British Consulate-General in Sydney

The British Consulate-General in Sydney represents the UK government providing consular services to British nationals in New South Wales and the ACT. 
In addition to consular work, policy, political, trade and investment activities are undertaken from this location.

Your application must be submitted before 23:55 AEST-Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC/ GMT +10) on the day mentioned in the above field “Application deadline”

Applications must include a current CV. Kindly omit any personal information such as name, birthdate, address and contact #.

All applicants are required to mandatorily fill the online application form completely including the employment and educational details, experience, professional skills and behaviour-based questions. We will be thoroughly reviewing the applications and incomplete form in any respect may not be considered while shortlisting for the  next stage.
 
Only shortlisted candidates for interview will be contacted. Interviewees will be assessed on the core behaviours/qualifications listed above. Unsuccessful candidates will be notified via the system in due time. Appointable candidates who were unsuccessful may be placed on a ‘reserve list’.  If during the reserve period of 6 months the same or a largely similar role becomes available, that role may be offered to the second or subsequent candidate”.

Advertised start date is provisional and subject to completion of reference and security checks.

Kindly check your application centre or email regularly for any update on the status of your application.

Applications will only be considered from Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and building a culturally diverse workplace. We actively encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. Our culture of inclusion is underpinned by our excellent staff networks which cover disability, faith and belief, gender equality, social mobility, age, race, LGBT+, and how to be an ally.