Main purpose of job

Consular officers deliver high quality support to British nationals in need of UK Government help. They also strengthen the UK’s local networks and manage outreach and prevention activities to reduce the risk of harm to British nationals.

Based in Vancouver, the successful applicant will run the day-to-day consular operations at our Consulate General delivering support to British nationals in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon & Northwest Territories. The role will involve interaction with members of the public, some of whom will be in highly vulnerable situations; Canadian and UK authorities; as well as colleagues across the UK’s consular network. It will require collaboration across the Consulate-General, including engagement with senior management on a regular basis.  The role will also be responsible for planning and delivery of the consular aspects of the UK’s FIFA World Cup response in Vancouver. 

The role reports to the Consular Regional Operations Manager based in Chicago and manages one part-time member of staff in Vancouver. This is a temporary positing for up to 1 year (with possibility of renewal) and has a projected end date of 9 February 2027. 

Roles and responsibilities

• Managing the provision of consular assistance in accordance with current guidelines, including visiting British nationals in hospital or in jail, and providing support to family members following bereavement, a child abduction or custody matter, and providing advice and assistance following a rape or sexual assault.
• Overseeing casework and managing to a satisfactory conclusion ensuring service standards and consular public targets are met.
• Liaising with Canadian authorities, members of the public and their legal representatives, airlines and tour operators, and British Government Departments in order to achieve strategic goals.
• Designing, costing and implementing an effective Prevention strategy for the consular district and monitoring and reporting budget expenditure.
• Proactively leading on consular issues at the Consulate-General, including representing the consular view at key internal and external meetings and activities, including some public speaking duties.
• Maintaining close links with local authorities including, but not limited to, law enforcement, correctional facilities, medical examiners, hospitals, morgues and mental health facilities.
• Maintaining close and proactive dialogue with the Consular Regional Operations Manager on matters within the consular district.
• Processing emergency passport applications.
• Planning and delivering all aspects of consular preparedness for the FIFA World Cup matches to be held in Vancouver in June and July 2026. Support the wider consular network in North America throughout the tournament period. To note that the successful applicant will be expected to work throughout the tournament period, including some weekend days if necessary, and therefore to plan their vacation for other times.
  
• Exceptionally, participating in call-out arrangements for emergency cases out of hours when our Global Response Centre in London requests additional support.
• “Crisis” includes situations where the number of British nationals in need of support exceeds the Consular team’s capacity and necessitates a wider response, for instance following a mass casualty incident. This role will lead on Consular aspects of crisis preparedness and response, including ensuring emergency equipment is tested regularly and fit for purpose. Ensure that the Consular team is fully trained and understand their role in a crisis, and that the wider Consulate General is equipped to support Consular in case of crisis. Respond to crisis events as necessary.
• Contributing to a positive local working environment at the Consulate General, including undertaking a non-consular internal responsibility which supports this (e.g. First Aider, organising team building events, mentoring).
• Performing other duties as assigned.
• Supporting colleagues in other parts of the America’s consular network as required.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure)

• Line management of part time pro-consul.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to communicate at all levels.  

• Ability to prioritise, effectively manage and execute multiple tasks.

• Proficiency in IT and MS Office.

• Initiative, drive & determination with superior problem-solving skills, sound judgement, common sense and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

• Substantial relevant work experience (to include working with the public and staff management skills)

• Experience of managing a team.

• Experience of managing outreach programmes including undertaking a wide variety of public speaking duties.  

• A good knowledge of multi-cultural Britain, its language, and geography.

• An ability to handle distressing situations and engage with vulnerable people while remaining compassionate, resilient and effective.

• Must be legally authorised to work in Canada.